Amiens Mini Guide
Tell me why I Should go to Amiens for my Holiday?
It’s an undiscovered gem, an absolute jewel of a town full of chocolate box houses and dizzying cathedral spires. The city has a huge amount of history including being the scene of the start of the ‘hundred days offensive’ that saw the beginning of the end of World War I. The city was the setting for the book ‘Birdsong’ by modern author Sebastian Faulkes which describes a young man’s experiences of The Great War whilst stationed near the city. Looking around the city you’ll be clicking your camera at every corner and especially at the Gothic style cathedral, the largest in France. The city is known as the 'little Venice of the North' because of its multitude of canals that criss cross the city.
How do I get to Amiens?
The city has its own airport nearby but unless you have your own plane you won’t be using it. The nearest commercial airport is found thirty miles away at
Beauvais-Tille Airport which is a major hub for Ryanair flights into the north of France. Whilst the airport doesn’t have a dedicated rail connection to Amiens, a bus will take you to Beauvais station for the onward journey.
What is There to see and do in Amiens?
There’s quite a variety from ice-skating at the Arena to climbing the Perret Tower, once, at 110m, the tallest building in Europe. The Cathedral of Amiens shouldn’t be missed. Beautifully illuminated at night, you can explore the 13th century Gothic style building during the day too. Another poignant visit is to the cemetery of the soldiers who died near the city in the Great War and especially the Muslim section dedicated to soldiers from Senegal. A walk along the River Somme is very relaxing and gives the tourist a great view out over the city and particularly its medieval heart.
What can I buy in the City to Take Home?
Try the delicious pastries called buttons and tiles with a range of fillings including fruit and almond paste. They’re delicious with coffee and many of the bakers will box them for you to take home safely.
What Should I eat When I’m in Amiens?
Despite being inland, the restaurants of Amiens offer excellent seafood caught in the La Manche. There’s not the range of Mediterranean style vegetables and salads in the city with many vegetable dishes based on potatoes, cabbage and beans.
What About for Entertainment in the City?
An interesting idea in Amiens is the ‘House Theatre’ which, as the name suggests is a converted home that puts on shows most nights of the week suitable for all family members. With its amateur cast it can afford to keep ticket prices low and the experience is enjoyed by all.
Amiens is situated 62 miles to the south west of Lille and 75 miles to the north of
Paris. With Amiens car rental you can visit this capital of the Somme department in Picardy. The River Somme flows through the city and this area of France was of course heavily affected by the World Wars against the Germans.
Before that the wealth of Amiens had made it a target for the barbarians during their ravages through the land. Steeped in such troubled history, today Amiens is a very quaint and picturesque city which has a wonderful old 18th century city hall.