Amiens facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Amiens Anmien / Anmiens / Anmyin  (Picard)
Prefecture and commune
City centre, with the Amiens Cathedral in the background
Coat of arms
Amiens Location in France Show map of France Amiens Location in Hauts-de-France Show map of Hauts-de-France
Country	France
Region	Hauts-de-France
Department	Somme
Arrondissement	Amiens
Canton	Amiens-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Intercommunality	Amiens Métropole
Area 1	49.46 km2 (19.10 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	133,625
• Density	2,701.68/km2 (6,997.3/sq mi)
• Urban  (2017)	163,876
• Metro  (2018)	387 354
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	80021 /80000
Elevation	14–106 m (46–348 ft) (avg. 33 m or 108 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Amiens is a city in northern France. It is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Paris. Amiens is the capital of the Somme area in the Hauts-de-France region. In 2021, about 135,429 people lived there.

A very famous building in Amiens is the Amiens Cathedral. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in France. The city also has one of the biggest university hospitals in France. It can care for 1,200 patients.

The famous author Jules Verne lived in Amiens from 1871 until he passed away in 1905. He even served on the city council for 15 years. Amiens is also the hometown of French president Emmanuel Macron.

The city was heavily fought over during both World Wars. It was damaged a lot and taken over by different armies many times. The 1918 Battle of Amiens was a key moment that helped end World War I. After World War II, the city was rebuilt with wider streets. Many new buildings were made of brick, concrete, and white stone.

Amiens has a rich history and culture. This makes it a popular place for tourists. Besides the cathedral, you can visit the hortillonnages [fr] (floating gardens). You can also see the Jules Verne House [fr]. Other attractions include the Tour Perret, the Musée de Picardie, and the zoo [fr]. The old areas of Saint-Leu and Saint-Maurice are also very charming.

Amiens has many historic buildings. Over 60 monuments are officially listed as historic. The city also hosts the biggest Christmas market in northern France every December. Amiens is known for tasty local foods. These include "macarons d'Amiens" (almond biscuits) and "tuiles amienoises" (chocolate and orange cookies). You can also try "pâté de canard d'Amiens" (duck pâté) and "la ficelle Picarde" (a cheesy crêpe).

History of Amiens

The first known settlement here was called Samarobriva. This means "Somme bridge." It was the main village of the Ambiani tribe, a major group in ancient Gaul. The Romans later called the town Ambianum. This name meant "settlement of the Ambiani people."

Amiens became part of Francia in the 5th century. The Normans attacked and looted the city in 859 and again in 882. In 1113, the King of France, Louis VI of France, officially recognized the city. By 1185, Amiens was fully connected to the French Crown.

In 1597, Spanish soldiers took over the city for six months. This was during the Siege of Amiens. But King Henry IV soon got control back. In the 1700s and 1800s, Amiens became famous for its velours textiles. During the French Revolution, France was reorganized. Amiens became the capital of the new Somme area.

During the industrial revolution, the city walls were taken down. This made space for wide streets around the city center. The Henriville neighborhood was built around this time. In 1848, the first railway arrived, connecting Amiens to Boulogne-sur-Mer. In 1870, the city was taken over by Prussian forces during the Battle of Amiens.

Amiens was heavily involved in both World War I and World War II. It suffered a lot of damage and was occupied many times. The 1918 Battle of Amiens was the start of a big attack that led to the end of World War I. In June 1944, after D-Day, the city was bombed a lot by the Royal Air Force. British forces freed the town on August 31. The city was rebuilt with wider streets to help with traffic. New buildings were made of brick, concrete, and white stone. The architect Auguste Perret designed the Gare d'Amiens train station and the nearby Tour Perret.

Geography of Amiens

Where is Amiens located?

Amiens is the main city of the Picardy region. It is also the capital of the Somme area. Amiens is in a good spot, close to Paris, Lille, Rouen, London, and Brussels. It is at the meeting point of major European roads. It is also a key railway hub.

The city is about 115 kilometers (71 miles) north of Paris. It is 97 kilometers (60 miles) south-west of Lille. Amiens is the third largest town in the Somme area by size.

Land and Water in Amiens

The city covers about 49.46 square kilometers (19.09 square miles). Its height above sea level ranges from 14 to 106 meters (46 to 348 feet).

The River Somme flows through Amiens. It usually flows calmly, but can flood sometimes. The Avre river joins the Somme on the south side of the city. The Selle river also enters Amiens from the northwest.

The city grew where the river narrowed. This area is near the hortillonnages [fr]. These are marshy gardens with many small canals. In the Middle Ages, this narrowing allowed for bridges and textile factories.

The marshes of the Somme river were used to dig for peat. Farmers kept the canals clean. They used the mud to improve their vegetable gardens, called hortillons. Later, people stopped maintaining the canals. Some areas became pleasure gardens that you could reach by boat.

The river system has always been important to Amiens. It shaped the city's look and economy. The city grew around the Saint-Leu and Saint-Maurice areas, next to the Somme River. The Canal de la Somme was built in the early 1800s.

Amiens Climate

Amiens has a typical oceanic climate, like much of northern France. Winters are fairly mild. Summers are cool. Rain falls evenly throughout the year.

Getting Around Amiens

Amiens is a hub connecting different parts of northern France. It links Normandy and Benelux countries. It also connects France and Great Britain. Amiens has good access to major roads like the A16 and A29 motorways.

Trains in Amiens

Amiens station is the main train station. You can take regional trains to places like Rouen, Calais, Lille, and Paris. The Saint-Roch (Somme) station serves local trains. There is also a bus that connects to the TGV Haute-Picardie station. This station offers high-speed train access to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.

By train, Amiens is:

1 hour 5 minutes from Paris 1 hour 15 minutes from Lille 1 hour 15 minutes from Rouen

2 hours 30 minutes from Brussels 3 hours 30 minutes from Lyon 3 hours from London

Roads in Amiens

Amiens has always been a place where important roads meet. Today, the city is served by the A16 and A29 motorways. The Jules Verne Viaduct helps traffic go around the city. This road network forms a ring road around Amiens.

Major roads serving Amiens include:

RN 1 to Paris and Calais. RN 25 towards Arras. RD 1029 towards Rouen and Saint-Quentin.

RD 929 to Albert and Cambrai. RD 935 [fr] towards Compiègne.

Parking in Amiens

Amiens has plenty of parking spaces. In 2013, there were about 70,000 public parking spots. About 8,400 of these were in the city center. Most of these central spots require payment.

The main underground car parks in the city center are:

Name	Close to	Number of spaces
Halles	Commercial Centre of Halles, belfry	468
Centrum	Coliseum	190
Hôtel de ville	Town hall	80
Jacobins	Prefecture	587
Saint-Leu	University faculties, cathedral	585
Trois Cailloux	Courthouse, cathedral	486
Amiens 2	Commercial centre, bus station, railway station	724
Perret	Cinema, railway station	490
Gare La Vallée	Railway station	840

Public Transport in Amiens

Amiens used to have a tram system that opened in 1887. It grew to seven lines by 1906. German bombing in 1940 destroyed most of the trams. After the war, the city used trolleybuses and then buses.

Today, the bus network is managed by Ametis. It covers the entire Amiens area. The city is planning to launch a rapid transit bus network in 2019. This system will use special lanes for faster travel.

• 

  The Place Gambetta: An important hub of the former tram network of Amiens at the beginning of the 20th century

• 

  The lycée de jeunes filles and tramway, Rue des Otages, now Lycée Madeleine-Michelis

• 

  A bus of the network of public transport in Amiens [fr]

Bike Sharing in Amiens

Amiens has two bike services: Buscyclette and Velam.

• Buscyclette lets you rent bikes for different periods. You can rent city bikes, electric bikes, and even bikes for kids.
• Velam is a bike sharing system. It has 313 bikes at 26 stations around the city center.

In 2012, Amiens had 100 kilometers (62 miles) of bike paths. The city plans to add more bike routes and parking spots by 2024.

Railways in Amiens

Amiens has three railway stations. The main one is Amiens station, also called Gare du Nord. About 15,000 travelers use it daily. The Saint-Roch station is in the western part of the city.

Connections from these stations include Lille, Boulogne, Paris, Reims, and Rouen. The Longueau station serves the south of Amiens. It is used by about 2,500 travelers daily. The Montieres station is only for cargo trains.

The Haute-Picardie TGV station is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Amiens. It offers access to high-speed trains. Buses connect Amiens to this TGV station.

• 

  Gare du Nord (old postcard published by Caron No. 328, postmarked in 1909)

• 

  Inside Saint-Roch railway station (postcard postmarked in 1905)

• 

  Gare Saint-Roch

• 

  Gare de Longueau

Air Travel from Amiens

The Amiens – Glisy Aerodrome is just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the city center. Several other airports are nearby:

• Albert – Picardie Airport is 20 minutes northeast.
• Beauvais-Tillé Airport is 45 minutes south. It is one of France's busiest airports.
• Lille Airport and Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport are also reachable by train or road.

Waterways in Amiens

The Somme canal runs through Amiens. It connects the city to the English Channel. This canal also links to the Canal du Nord.

Amiens City Layout

Amiens Neighborhoods

Amiens has several neighborhoods, each with its own special feel. These include Saint-Leu, St-Maurice, Henriville, and Saint-Acheul.

Saint-Leu Quarter

St-Leu is north of the city center. It has many old wooden and brick houses. It is also known for its canals. This charming area was restored in the 1990s. It sits at the foot of the cathedral and stretches to the Somme canal. Historically, it was the working-class area. Butchers, tanners, and dyers used to live here.

Today, Amiens University's science, law, and economics faculties are in Saint-Leu. Many buildings have been turned into student housing. The area is now a lively spot for evenings out. You can find many bars and restaurants on Place du Don and Quai Bélu.

The Saint-Leu church is between the university buildings. Two theaters are also in this quarter. One is for the Chés Cabotans puppet shows. The other is the Maison du Théâtre. There is also a concert hall called La Lune des Pirates.

• 

  Place du Don: The River Somme and cathedral

• 

  Saint-Leu: Rue du Hocquet

• 

  Saint-Leu: Rue d'Engoulvent and Rue des Majots

• 

  Saint-Leu: Rue d'Engoulvent

• 

  Saint-Leu: Place Aristide Briand

• 

  Canal in the Saint-Leu quarter

• 

  Quai Bélu on the banks of the Somme, near the old market on the waterside

• 

  The Samarobriva footbridge from the Sport Nautique d'Amiens to Saint-Pierre Park in 2009

Saint-Maurice Quarter

This old working-class neighborhood is west of the Citadelle. It was an industrial center in the 1700s. Now, many homes here are being renovated.

The Canal de la Somme borders this area. It offers a stopping point for boats. The old city dye factory is now home to the École supérieure d'art et de design d'Amiens [fr] (ESAD). This is an art and design school. The École supérieure d'ingénieurs en électronique et électrotechnique (ESIEE) is also here. The Citadelle area will be updated by architect Renzo Piano. It will house more university departments.

The Jardin des plantes [fr], also called Jardin du Roy, is in this quarter.

Henriville Quarter

The Henriville neighborhood was mostly built in the 1800s. It was created after the city walls were taken down. It is south of the city center. You can find many large, fancy houses here. They are mostly made of brick. These houses mix different styles from that time. The house of Jules Verne is also in this area.

Saint-Acheul Quarter

The Saint-Acheul quarter is very old. People have lived here since prehistoric times. In the 1800s, archaeologists found ancient tools here. These tools gave the name to the "Acheulean" prehistoric period. You can visit the archaeological garden there for free.

This quarter also has the Church of Saint-Acheul. A military cemetery from World War I is also located here. Part of the quarter has an "English neighborhood" with houses in the English style. The hortillonnages [fr] (marshy gardens) are at the edge of this area.

Other Neighborhoods in Amiens

Like other big cities, Amiens has large apartment buildings called HLM. These are in areas like Pigeonnier, Messenger, and Etouvie. These areas have seen some social challenges. There have been efforts to redevelop these neighborhoods. Old buildings are being taken down and new schools are being built.

Amiens Housing

In 2017, Amiens had 73,541 homes. Most of these (88.7%) were primary residences. About 35.6% were houses and 63.4% were apartments.

A special type of house in Amiens is called the amiénoise. These traditional houses are often found in the suburbs. They are made of brick. A "simple amiénoise" has one window on the ground floor. It is narrow but very deep, with a garden. A "double amiénoise" has two windows on each floor. Larger amiénoises can have two or more floors and a paved courtyard.

Historic areas like Saint-Leu have houses with wood and half-timbered walls.

Future Plans for Amiens

Amiens has big plans for its future, called "Amiens 2030." These plans focus on making the city better for business, people, and culture.

• La Citadelle [fr]: This project will bring university departments together at the old Citadel site. Architect Renzo Piano is designing it.
• ZAC Gare-la-Vallée: This project aims to create a business district near the train station. It will include offices, shops, and homes.
• ZAC Intercampus: This new area in the south will have 1,900 homes by 2030. It will also have green spaces and gardens.
• ZAC Paul Claudel: This area at the southern entrance will have 1,400 homes.
• ZAC Renancourt: This new area in the west will have 1,400 homes, a hotel, and shops.
• Bus rapid transit (BRT): Three new BRT lines are planned to improve public transport. They will use special bus lanes.

Amiens Name Origin

The name Amiens comes from the local Gallic people, the Ambiani. In the 4th century, this name replaced the older name, Samarobriva. Samarobriva meant "the bridge on the Somme River." Amiens then became an important church center. In the local Picard dialect, Amiens is called Anmyen.

Amiens Twin Towns

Amiens is connected to other cities around the world. These connections are called "twin towns" or "sister cities."

• Dortmund, Germany (since 1960)
• Görlitz, Germany (since 1971)
• Darlington, England, United Kingdom (since 1973)
• Tulsa, United States (since 2006)

Amiens also has friendly ties with Mianyang in China and Amiens in Australia.

People and Society in Amiens

Amiens Population

The people of Amiens are called the Amiénois. Their fun nickname is Chés maqueux d'gueugues, which means "the nut eaters."

The population of Amiens has grown a lot since the mid-1800s. It doubled from 50,000 to 100,000 between 1850 and 1960. It has gained about 30,000 more people since then.

Population Changes

In 2017, Amiens had 134,057 residents.

Historical population
Year Pop. ±% 1793 40,000 —     1800 41,279 +3.2% 1806 39,853 −3.5% 1821 41,107 +3.1% 1831 45,001 +9.5% 1836 46,129 +2.5% 1841 47,117 +2.1% 1846 49,591 +5.3% 1851 52,149 +5.2% 1856 56,587 +8.5% 1861 58,780 +3.9% 1866 61,063 +3.9%	Year Pop. ±% 1872 63,747 +4.4% 1876 66,896 +4.9% 1881 74,170 +10.9% 1886 80,288 +8.2% 1891 83,654 +4.2% 1896 88,731 +6.1% 1901 90,758 +2.3% 1906 90,920 +0.2% 1911 93,207 +2.5% 1921 92,780 −0.5% 1926 91,576 −1.3% 1931 90,211 −1.5%	Year Pop. ±% 1936 93,773 +3.9% 1946 84,761 −9.6% 1954 92,506 +9.1% 1962 105,433 +14.0% 1968 117,888 +11.8% 1975 131,476 +11.5% 1982 131,332 −0.1% 1990 131,872 +0.4% 1999 135,501 +2.8% 2007 134,737 −0.6% 2012 132,727 −1.5% 2017 134,057 +1.0%
From 1962 to 1999: Population without double counting; for the years following: municipal population. Source: Ldh/EHESS/Cassini until 1999 and INSEE (1968-2017)

Age Groups in Amiens

Amiens has a young population. In 2017, over 25% of the people were under 20 years old. The number of people over 60 (19.3%) is lower than the national average (25.5%). More women live in Amiens than men, with women making up 52.5% of the population.

Population by age of Somme, 2017 (%) 90+ 1.1 75–89 7.75 60–74 16.55 45–59 19.65 30–44 18.15 15–29 18.8 0–14 18 Total: 100 male female Source: INSEE

Population by age of Amiens, 2017 (%) 90+ 1 75–95 6 60–74 12.1 45–59 16.35 30–44 18.4 15–29 28.65 0–14 17.5 Total: 100 male female Source: INSEE

Amiens Education System

Schools in Amiens

Amiens schools follow the rules of the Academy of Amiens [fr]. This group sets the school programs. In 2010, over 10,000 children were in public schools. This included nursery and elementary schools.

In 2011, Amiens had 46 nursery schools and 54 primary schools. There were also nine public middle schools and six private ones. Amiens has 24 high schools, including vocational, general, and technical schools.

Higher Education in Amiens

Amiens is home to many university students. In 2013, there were 26,000 students and 800 researchers. They were spread across 40 higher education places.

The University of Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV) is based in Amiens. It offers many different courses. These include medicine, law, science, humanities, and arts. There are also engineering and business schools.

Sports in Amiens

Amiens is known as a very sporty city. It won the title of "Sportiest city of France" in 1999. The city also won this title in 1969. In 2013, Amiens had almost 300 sports clubs. About 25,000 people were members of these clubs.

• American Football: The Amiens Spartiates team has won the French championship several times.
• Archery: The Compagnie d'Arc d'Amiens is an old archery club, started in 1803.
• Athletics: The AUC Athlétisme [fr] club has produced top sprinters and race walkers.
• Badminton: The AUC Badminton club is recognized as a "French school of badminton."
• Fencing: The Circle of Fencing of Amiens Métropole is one of France's oldest fencing clubs.
• Field Hockey: The Amiens Sports Club [fr] has won many national titles for both men and women.
• Football (Soccer): The main club is Amiens SC. They have played in France's top league, Ligue 1.
• Ice Hockey: The Gothiques d'Amiens have won the French championship twice. They play at the Coliséum, which has a large ice rink.
• Rowing: The Sport Nautique d'Amiens (SNA) was founded in 1866. It is a recognized "French rowing school."
• Swimming: The Amiens Métropole [fr] swim team is home to Olympic champion Jérémy Stravius.

• 

  Stade de la Licorne

• 

  The Gothiques d'Amiens in 2008

• 

  Jérémy Stravius, member of the Amiens Métropole Natation [fr] club

Amiens has hosted stages of the Tour de France many times. On August 15, the city hosts the final stages of traditional Picardy sports. This includes Ballon au poing, a local game played with a special glove.

Media in Amiens

Newspapers and Magazines

• Le Courrier picard [fr] is the main local newspaper.
• JDA (Journal des Amiénois) is a free weekly newspaper. It is given to all homes in the Amiens area.

TV and Radio

• The headquarters of France 3 Picardie, a regional TV channel, are in Amiens.
• Local radio stations include France Bleu Picardie and Radio Campus Amiens [fr].

Places of Worship in Amiens

Catholic Churches

Amiens has many Catholic churches. The most famous is Notre-Dame Cathedral. Other churches include Saint Honoré, Saint-Acheul, Saint-Firmin-le-Martyr, and Saint-Leu.

• 

  The church of Saint-Acheul

• 

  Door of the church of Saint-Germain-l'Écossais

• 

  The Gothic façade of the church of Saint-Leu

• 

  The church of Saint-Remi

• 

  The church of Sainte-Anne

• 

  The bell tower of the church of Saint-Pierre

• 

  The church of Saint-Honoré, Esplanade Branly

Other Religions

• Jewish: The synagogue is on Rue du Port d'Amont.
• Mormon: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a meeting place on the Doullens road.
• Muslim: Amiens has a large Muslim community. There are several mosques and prayer rooms in the city.
• Protestant: The Protestant Church of Amiens is on Rue Saint-Jacques.

Amiens Economy

Amiens is an important center for both industry and services. It has many skilled workers and training programs.

L'Entreprise magazine named Amiens the "Most attractive city of France" for businesses in 2009 and 2007. This was for cities with fewer than 200,000 people. The city's location between Paris, London, and Brussels is a big advantage.

Challenges magazine also called Amiens the "Best managed city of France" for large cities in 2011, 2010, and 2008.

Jobs in Amiens

In 2017, about 64.5% of people aged 15 to 64 had jobs or were looking for work.

Distribution of employment (2017)

	Public services	Tertiary sector	Industry	Construction	Agriculture
Amiens	42.7%	42.3%	10.5%	4.3%	0.2%
Source: Insee

Most jobs in Amiens are in public services (like government, education, health) and the service industry. Industry makes up about 10.5% of jobs. Agriculture and construction have very few jobs.

Companies like Procter & Gamble have large factories in Amiens. Procter & Gamble produces cleaning products here. Many call centers have also opened in the city.

Amiens is home to the Regional Chamber of commerce and industry of Picardy [fr]. This group helps businesses in the region.

Culture, Tourism, and Heritage in Amiens

Amiens is a great place for a short trip from Paris, Lille, or Brussels. It is also close to the beautiful Baie de Somme, a popular tourist spot.

Amiens has been recognized as a "Towns and Lands of Art and History" since 1992. This means it has a rich heritage. You can take guided tours or explore on your own using information panels.

The city's main attractions are its cathedral, the hortillonnages [fr], the Jules Verne House [fr], and the Tour Perret. The Musée de Picardie and the zoo [fr] are also popular. The old Saint-Leu and Saint-Maurice areas are very charming.

Famous Places and Buildings in Amiens

Amiens has an amazing heritage. Sixty monuments are listed as historic. Over 1,600 places are listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage.

Amiens Cathedral

The city is famous for its Notre-Dame Cathedral. It is a masterpiece of Gothic art. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the world by its inside space. It is the biggest religious building from the Middle Ages in France. Its inside could fit Notre-Dame de Paris twice!

The cathedral is 145 meters (476 feet) long. Its spire reaches 112 meters (367 feet) high. The main ceiling, finished in 1247, is 42.3 meters (139 feet) high. This was almost the highest possible for this type of building.

It was built in the 1200s because the city was rich. Also, the old Romanesque cathedral had burned down. Three architects worked to finish it quickly.

Amiens Cathedral is known for its clear design and beautiful three-level interior. It has amazing sculptures on its main front and in the south side. The floor also has special designs. It is called "Gothic pure, authoritative, unsurpassable."

The cathedral was built very fast, in only 70 years (1220 to 1269). This explains why its style is so consistent. Its front has over 3,000 statues, gargoyles, and mythical creatures.

Since 1981, it has been a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is a "masterpiece of world heritage." It is also a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. Even after two World Wars, the cathedral remained mostly untouched.

Every December and during summer, there is a free light show. It projects colors onto the cathedral's front. This shows how it might have looked originally.

The zodiac [fr] is a series of carvings on the front. They show the farming year and zodiac signs. The "weeping Angel" statue is also famous. It is on a tomb carved by Nicolas Blasset [fr].

On the ground floor, there is an intact labyrinth [fr]. It is 234 meters (768 feet) long.

• 

  The cathedral seen from the Rue André

• 

  West entrance

• 

  Entrance

• 

  The labyrinth

• 

  The choir

• 

  Columns

• 

  Mausoleum of Charles de Vitry

• 

  Tomb of Canon Lucas

Amiens Belfry

The Amiens Belfry dates back to 1244. It was a symbol of the city's independence. It was used for meetings, storing records, and as a prison. A lookout would watch for dangers. The belfry was damaged by fire many times in the Middle Ages.

The lower part is made of white stone from the 1400s. The upper part was rebuilt in the 1700s. It had a huge 11-ton bell. The belfry was badly damaged in 1940 during World War II. It was fully restored between 1989 and 1990.

The belfry is 52 meters (171 feet) tall. It rings every hour. Since 2005, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of a group of 56 belfries in Belgium and France. They show the rise of city power in the region.

Jules Verne Circus

In 1845, a fair was moved to Place Longueville. A temporary circus was set up there each year. In 1886, the city decided to build a permanent circus.

Émile Ricquier [fr], a student of Gustave Eiffel, designed it. It was inspired by the Cirque d'hiver in Paris. But it used a cast metal frame and local brick. Jules Verne, a city councilor, helped oversee the building. He opened it on June 23, 1889.

The circus is 44 meters (144 feet) wide and has 16 sides. It was very modern for its time. It had electric lights and central heating. It was also the first circus with a buffet.

The roof was damaged in 1916. The circus was used in movies like The Clowns (1971). It is the largest circus in the region, with 3,000 seats. It hosts theater, dance, concerts, and sports.

It was renovated in 2003 and named Cirque Jules-Verne. Since 2011, it has been a "national hub for circus and street arts."

Jules Verne's House

In 1882, Jules Verne and his wife rented a house at the corner of Rue Charles-Dubois and Boulevard Longueville. They lived there until 1900. The city bought the house in 1980. It is now a museum.

The house was restored in 2006. It shows over 700 objects related to Jules Verne. You can see his personality, inspirations, and memories. The house keeps its original look. It is open to visitors from the ground floor to the attic.

Tour Perret

The Tour Perret is across from the Gare d'Amiens train station. It is named after its architect, Auguste Perret. It is over 100 meters (328 feet) tall. It was one of the first skyscrapers in Europe. It was the tallest for a long time.

Saint-Leu Church

This church was built in the late 1400s. It has three main sections. A beautiful portal decorates the base of its bell tower. The bell tower had to be rebuilt in the early 1500s after being hit by lightning. The church has stone and wood statues from the 1600s.

Other Important Buildings and Monuments

Ancient Architecture

• Many digs have found remains from Roman times. You can see parts of a Roman forum under Place Gambetta.
• The archaeological garden of Saint-Acheul shows where early humans lived 450,000 years ago. A special cut in the ground lets you see layers of history.

Medieval Architecture

• The Church of Saint-Germain is no longer used for worship. It hosts exhibitions about the cathedral's colors. This church has a tall, leaning tower.
• Remains of the Hôtel-Dieu (an old hospital) are in the Saint-Leu district.
• The Passe avant and Passe arrière mills are also in Saint-Leu.

Renaissance Architecture

• The beautiful front of the Maison du Sagittaire was moved next to the Logis du Roy.
• The Logis du Roy was once the Faculty of Arts.
• The House of the Bailiwick is also known as Malmaison.
• The Citadelle was first built in the 1500s. It was rebuilt after King Henry IV took it back from the Spanish.

• 

  The Logis du Roy and the Maison du Sagittaire.

• 

  The Maison du bailliage ou Malmaison, former residence of the bailli of Amiens, constructed in 1541.

• 

  Gate of the Ravelin of Montrescu constructed from 1524 to 1531.

17th and 18th Century Architecture

• The Abbey of Saint-Jean-des-Prémontrés [fr] has a cloister called Dewailly.
• The Abbey of Saint-Acheul dates from the 1600s and 1700s.
• The city hall was built partly in the 1700s and 1800s. It mixes stone and brick.

• 

  The city hall

• 

  The former Stengel barracks converted into apartments (18th century, historic monuments, 1992).

• 

  Façade of the former theatre of Amiens, bank Rue des Trois-Cailloux.

• 

  Fountain of Rue Saint-Jacques.

• 

  Convent of the grey sisters (18th century, historic monuments, 1992).

• 

  Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Prémontrés [fr] (18th century, historic monuments, 1992).

• 

  Hôtel Blin de Bourdon (18th century: 1 Rue des Augustins (historic monuments, 1993).

• 

  Maison Cozette (18th century) : 26 Place Vogel (historic monuments, 1992).

• 

  Hôtel de la Préfecture (18th and 19th centuries, historic monuments, 1992).

19th Century Architecture

• The Palace of Justice was built from 1865 to 1880.
• The Henriville quarter has many beautiful houses.
• The home of Jules Verne [fr] was reopened in 2006. It has his old desk and a special sphere on its tower.
• The Madeleine Cemetery has Jules Verne's Tomb. It shows him rising from his grave.
• The Dewailly clock was rebuilt in 1999. It has a statue called Marie-sans chemise.

• 

  Palace of Justice (19th century, historic monuments).

• 

  Hôtel Acloque (19th century, historic monuments, 1999).

• 

  The convent of the Visitation-Sainte-Marie (19th century, historic monuments).

20th Century Architecture

• The hotel Bouctot-Vagniez is a rare Art Nouveau building from 1909.
• The English quarter has houses in the British style.
• The ESIEE Amiens building is modern and shaped like a saucer.
• The Gueudet garages are examples of Art Deco style.
• The Coliséum sports arena opened in 1996.
• The Stade de la Licorne football stadium was built in 1999.

21st Century Architecture

• The Cinema Gaumont Amiens opened in 2005. It has 12 rooms and a large lobby.
• The Verrière de la place de la gare d'Amiens is a large glass canopy. It connects the city center to the business district.
• The Zenith of Amiens concert hall opened in 2008. It can hold 6,000 people.

Amiens Green Spaces

Amiens is a very green city. It has 270 hectares (667 acres) of green space. This includes the hortillonnages [fr] and forests. The city has won awards for its beautiful flowers and trees. In 2014, it was in the top 10 greenest cities in France.

The Hortillonages

Amiens is famous for its hortillonnages [fr]. These are gardens on small islands. They are spread over 300 hectares (741 acres) of marshland. They are surrounded by a network of canals called "rieux." People sometimes call them the "floating gardens of Amiens."

Hortillon means "market garden" in the local Picard language. It comes from a Latin word for "small garden." You can explore them in flat-bottomed boats. These boats are called barque à cornet. They have a raised front to easily dock on the fragile banks. Once a year, there is a market on the water. Growers arrive by boat with their fruits and vegetables.

• 

  On a boat

• 

  Hortillonnages

• 

  Bridges

• 

  Hortillonnages

• 

  Bridge

• 

  Hortillonages

• 

  Boat

Amiens Metropolitan Zoo

The Amiens Zoo [fr] opened in May 1952. It is in a green area next to the Park of the Hotoie. The zoo focuses on saving animals, educating people, and research. It was renovated in the 1990s.

Today, the zoo has 300 animals from about 75 species. They come from all over the world. The animals live in environments that look like their natural homes. In 2014, over 161,000 people visited the zoo. Entry is free on July 14, Bastille Day.

• 

  Red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra)

• 

  Lar gibbons (Hylobates lar)

• 

  Red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

• 

  South American coati (Nasua nasua).

• 

  Jena and Praya, the two Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).

• 

  California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)

• 

  Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti)

Main Parks and Gardens

Amiens has many beautiful parks and gardens:

• Parc Saint-Pierre [fr] is a large green space in the city center. It is 22 hectares (54 acres) big.
• Parc du Grand Marais [fr] is along the Somme Canal. It has many sports facilities.
• Jardin des plantes [fr] is the oldest garden in Amiens. It was created in 1751.
• Parc de la Hotoie [fr] is another large park.
• The Cimetière de la Madeleine [fr] is a cemetery that also serves as a green space.
• The Jardin archéologique de Saint-Acheul [fr] is an archaeological garden.

Amiens Cultural Heritage

Museums in Amiens

• The Musée de Picardie was the first building in France built specifically as a museum. It opened in 1867. It is sometimes called the "Little Louvre of the Province." It has collections of archaeology, medieval art, fine arts, and modern art. You can see paintings by famous artists like El Greco and Picasso.

• The Hotel de Berny Museum shows local art and history. It is in a 1634 mansion. It has furniture, tapestries, and items from famous Amiens people. These include Jules Verne and Marshal Leclerc.

• The House of Jules Verne [fr] is where Jules Verne lived. He wrote many of his famous books here. The house shows his personal items and inspirations.

• The Gallery of stained glass is in a 16th-century workshop. It displays many stained-glass windows from different centuries. You can also see how stained glass is made.
• The House of culture of Amiens [fr] (MCA) opened in 1966. It has two exhibition halls for contemporary art.
• The Fonds régional d'art contemporain (FRAC Picardie) promotes contemporary art. It has a large collection of drawings by famous artists.

Concert Halls in Amiens

Amiens has several places for concerts:

• The Zenith of Amiens opened in 2008. It can hold 6,000 people. It hosts national and international music acts.
• The megacity [fr] is a congress and exhibition center. It has two auditoriums for concerts and comedy shows.
• The Cirque Jules-Verne [fr] also hosts concerts.
• The Maison de la culture d'Amiens [fr] offers many live shows and concerts.
• La Lune des Pirates [fr] is a smaller venue for modern music.

Theaters in Amiens

• The House of Culture of Amiens [fr] has two theaters. It hosts plays, music, dance, and films.
• The Comédie de Picardie [fr] is a main theater in the city. It puts on about fifteen plays each year.
• The Maison du Théâtre is in the Saint-Leu quarter. It focuses on modern theater.
• The "Chés cabotants of Amiens" is a traditional puppet theater. It is home to the popular hero Lafleur [fr].
• The Boîte à Rire is a small comedy theater.

Cultural Centers in Amiens

Amiens has nine cultural centers. They offer many different activities. These include theater, concerts, dance, films, and exhibitions.

• The Briqueterie hosts concerts and shows.
• The Jacques Tati cultural center has a theater for plays and music.
• The Léo-Lagrange cultural center offers exhibitions and performances.
• The Safran is a center for different art forms. It has a theater and music studios.

Libraries in Amiens

Amiens has a network of 28 libraries. The main one is the Louis Aragon library. It is one of the oldest city libraries in France. It was built between 1823 and 1826. It has auditoriums, a youth area, and an art library.

Joining the library and borrowing books is free for everyone in Amiens.

Cinemas in Amiens

Amiens has three cinemas:

• The Cinema Gaumont Amiens has 12 screens and 2,700 seats. It opened in 2005.
• The Cine-Saint-Leu is an arthouse cinema. It shows independent and foreign films.
• The Studio Orson Welles is also an arthouse cinema. It is part of the Maison de la culture d'Amiens [fr].

Amiens Cultural Events

Amiens hosts many cultural and traditional events throughout the year.

Annual Events

Month	Event	What it's about
January	Festival Tendance Europe	This festival shows new European artists in theater, dance, music, and visual arts.
February	Salon des Antiquaires	A fair for antiques, one of the biggest in northern France.
March	Festival du jeu et de l'imaginaire : À toi de Jouer	A festival for games, including board games, card games, and video games.
April	Grande réderie de printemps [fr]	A huge jumble sale that happens twice a year. It's the second largest in France.
June	Rendez-Vous de la Bande Dessinée d'Amiens [fr]	One of France's most important comic strip festivals.
June to July	Foire de la Saint Jean	The largest funfair in northern France.
June to September	Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs	A daily light and sound show on the cathedral. It brings back the medieval colors.
June to October	Festival Art, villes et paysage – Hortillonnages Amiens	This festival features art and garden designs in the "hortillonnages" [fr].
August	Défi Jules Verne	This event celebrates Jules Verne's first balloon flight. Many hot air balloons take off from the park.
September	Fête au bord de l'eau	A traditional festival in the Saint-Leu quarter. It has a medieval feel with parades and water jousting.
November	Amiens International Film Festival	One of the five largest film festivals in France. It lasts for nine days.
December	Christmas Market of Amiens	The largest Christmas market in northern France. It attracts over a million visitors.

Music in Amiens

Amiens has a lively music scene. Many local bands play different styles like rock, electro, pop, and metal. Famous artists like Olympe and Disiz are from Amiens.

Classical music is played by the Orchestre de Picardie []. The city also has the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional d'Amiens [fr], a music school.

Literature in Amiens

Amiens has been home to many important writers. In the 1600s, Vincent Voiture was a famous poet. Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange wrote an important dictionary of medieval Latin. In the 1700s, Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gresset founded the Academy of Amiens.

Choderlos de Laclos, from Amiens, wrote Les Liaisons dangereuses in 1782. This book is a classic of 18th-century literature.

Jules Verne lived in Amiens for many years. He wrote many of his famous adventure novels here. He was also involved in city life. He even helped with the building of the municipal circus. Many places in Amiens are named after him. He is buried in the La Madeleine cemetery [fr]. His tomb says: "Towards immortality and eternal youth."

The English writer John Ruskin wrote a book about Notre-Dame d'Amiens called The Bible of Amiens. Marcel Proust later translated and wrote about this book.

Other famous writers from Amiens include Roland Dorgelès and Henri Deberly.

Cinema in Amiens

Many films have been shot in Amiens and nearby areas. These include:

• The Clowns (1970) by Federico Fellini
• Roselyne et les lions (1989) by Jean-Jacques Beineix
• Ricky (2009) by François Ozon
• Copacabana (2010) with Isabelle Huppert

Comics in Amiens

Amiens is a strong center for comics in France. Many talented artists and writers are from the city. These include Régis Hautière [fr] and Norédine Allam []. Norédine Allam [] helped re-color the Asterix comic books.

The city was also home to famous comic artists like Joseph Pinchon, who created Bécassine. The group On a marché sur la bulle organizes the Rendez-vous de la bande dessinée d'Amiens [fr], a major comic book festival.

Regional Culture in Amiens

• Chés Cabotans d'Anmien is a traditional puppet theater. It was founded in 1933. The main hero is Lafleur [fr]. He speaks only in the Picard dialect. Lafleur is a cheerful and clever character. His motto is: "Drink well, eat well and then do nothing!"

• The Picard language is a recognized regional language. It is spoken in Picardy and other parts of France and Belgium. Many groups work to promote Picard culture through theater, songs, and stories. The Picard language is even taught at the University of Amiens.

• The nickname for people from Amiens is Chés Maqueus d'gueugues d'Anmien (Amiens nut eaters). This comes from a story in 1597. Spanish soldiers tricked the city by pretending to be peasants with nuts. The hungry citizens opened the gates, and the Spanish took the city.

Amiens Food Specialties

Amiens has many delicious local foods.

• "macarons d'Amiens": Small, round almond biscuits with fruit and honey.
• "tuiles amienoises": Curved biscuits made with chocolate and orange.
• "pâté de canard d'Amiens": Duck pâté baked in pastry.
• "la ficelle Picarde": A baked crêpe filled with ham and mushrooms, topped with cheese and cream.
• "flamiche aux poireaux": A puff pastry tart with leeks and cream.

Other dishes include:

• Soup des hortillons: A spring soup made with vegetables from the hortillonnages [fr].
• Bisteu or bigalan: A pie with potatoes, onions, and bacon.
• The Picardy rabotte: An apple wrapped in puff pastry and baked.

The Summer Rambo apple first came from near Amiens in the 1500s.

Famous People from Amiens

Many notable people were born in Amiens or lived there:

• Peter the Hermit (?–1115), a preacher in the First Crusade.
• Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange (1610–1688), a famous historian.
• Jean-Baptiste Gresset (1709–1777), a poet and playwright.
• Choderlos de Laclos (1741–1803), a writer known for Les Liaisons dangereuses.
• Jean Baptiste Joseph Delambre (1749–1822), a mathematician and astronomer.
• Jules Verne (1828–1905), the famous author.
• Édouard Branly (1844–1940), a physicist who invented the coherer for radio waves.
• Roland Dorgelès (1885–1973), a writer.
• Joseph Pinchon (1871–1953), the cartoonist who created Bécassine.
• Jean-Pierre Pernaut (1950–2022), a well-known journalist.
• Olivier Blanchard (1949–), a top economist.
• Emmanuel Macron (1977–), the current President of France.
• Najat Vallaud-Belkacem (1977–), a former government minister.
• Disiz (1978–), a rapper and actor.
• Rudy Gobert (1992–), a basketball player.
• Jérémy Stravius (1988–), an Olympic champion swimmer.

Amiens Symbols

The coat of arms of Amiens shows a red shield with silver ivy. The top part is blue with golden fleur-de-lis. The city's motto is "Liliis tenaci vimine jungor." This means "a strong bond unites the lilies." Amiens was a strong city that fought and stayed French. Its coat of arms shows this connection to France. The ivy represents this strong bond. The fleur-de-lis are symbols of France.

The full coat of arms has two unicorns holding it up. The unicorn is a symbol of purity and beauty. The unicorn is still important in Amiens today. It is on the city's football stadium and the football team's logo. It is also the award for the Amiens International Film Festival.

Amiens City Logo

In 1991, the city created a new logo. It includes the Fleur-de-lis and the Ivy leaf from the coat of arms. They are placed side by side in red on a grey or white background.

• A stamp showing the Amiens coat of arms was issued in 1962. It was designed by Robert Louis [fr].

See also

In Spanish: Amiens para niños

Images for kids

• 

  The Somme in the old town at the beginning of the 20th century

• 

  The Becquet Bridge, at the start of the 20th century