Essential sites

A UNESCO heritage site.
Proof of real technical genius, the Notre-Dame d'Amiens cathedral demonstrates architectural harmony. Built from 1220 to 1288, its size makes it one of the biggest Gothic buildings ever built: 145 m long, 42 m high, and a total volume of 200,000 m3. Its indoor and outdoor statuary is just as remarkable as its architecture. Since it was restored, the polychromy of its Gothic doors has become a main reference. This revelation gave rise to the "Amiens, a cathedral in colours" show, which offers a reproduction of the original medieval colours.

After major renovation works, the "House with the Tower" in Amiens, where Jules Verne lived from 1882 to 1900, once again offers visitors a space where the imaginary world and the daily life of the famous writer mix.
This luxury 19th century mansion house witnessed the success of the writer, who wrote most of his "Extraordinary Voyages" there.
Both imposing and modest, on four levels and through over 700 objects in the Amiens Metropole collection, the house reveals the personality, sources of inspiration and memories of Jules Verne.
From the conservatory to the attic, relive the adventures of his heroes: Michel Strogoff, Phileas Fogg, Captain Nemo, etc.

CLOSED FOR RENOVATION FROM 01.01.09 UNTIL AUTUMN
This is one of the finest museums in France. Aside from the Egyptian and Greek antiquities, most of the collections are made up of pieces from the different stages of regional history. The medieval collection offers a set of objets d'art and sculptures from the 12th to the 16th century. French sculptures from the 17th to the 19th century, murals that decorate the staircase and gallery by Puvis de Chavannes; Puys d'Amiens from the Cathedral. French and foreign paintings from the 17th to the 20th century (El Greco, Ribera, Frans Hals, Chardin, Boucher, Fragonard, Courbet, Corot, Picasso, Bacon, etc.)
'Tourism & Handicap' establishment

In the Middle Ages, water and mills set the pace of the city. Narrow streets with historical names attest to the city's past based on crafts. Today, art galleries, bookshops, boutiques and antique dealers mingle with the inhabitants of this district with its narrow and colourful houses. By foot, boat or in a horse-drawn carriage, take the time to discover Saint-Leu. Sit on a terrace to admire the Notre-Dame cathedral, or try out one of the "trendy" bars later on. Early birds will enjoy the "Water market" on Saturday morning.

Gothic building characterised by its impressive façade. One of the last witnesses of the powerful Benedictine abbey of Corbie, whose influence spread all over Europe. The church houses a number of treasures: relics, statues, plan of the Abbey before the Revolution and model of the building.

The only currently visible Renaissance citadel, this is a masterpiece of military architecture at the end of the Middle Ages. It was especially created to be used by the growing artillery and served as a model for future Vauban citadels. It has conserved its remarkable sandstone ramparts, its circulation galleries and its shooting chambers.

In a building from the end of the 19th century, a miscellaneous collection of works, testimonies of a philantropist's life, but also of a rich and varied local history.

Remains of a medieval castle and church registered on the World Heritage List due to the Compostelle paths. The church shelters the remarkable graves of the Lords of Folleville made out of Carrara marble, proving the influence of Italian Renaissance in Picardy. Located at the foot of the castle, a village reconstructs the decoration and the marks of the past.

In Samara (15 km from Amiens), we enter the heart of Prehistory!
From the discovery of fire to the Gallo-Roman period, 600,000 years of Human history are related in a real and alive way through a 1,200m2 exhibition, astonishing activities (fire-making, throwing-stick shooting, etc.) and traditional demonstrations (pottery, flint shaping, forge, etc.). In the 25-hectare park, nature, discoveries, activities and recreation will be the ingredients for an unforgettable day with friends or family at Samara park.
Check out the new Web site: www.samara.fr

The only Medieval City in the Somme with the three monuments that symbolise the medieval past of France: the 12th to 13th-century fortified castle with its exceptional machicolations, the Romanesque church with its 12th century capitals and the 13th century belfry, a UNESCO heritage site.

The limestone of the Picardy plateau was dug out in many places to form refuges. These refuges were called "muches" (hideouts in Picard language). Those in Naours, rediscovered at the end of the last century, are the largest known: all the underground areas combined can house around 2,600 people with their livestock. The layout is remarkable: around 300 chambers, public squares, stables, wells, chimneys, and a chapel with three naves. These underground areas were used by the British forces during the First World War and were used as the headquarters of the German forces during the second world war. Exhibitions of traditional trades.
In the park: games, 2 windmills from the 18th century.

There are some outstanding remains of this 11th century fortress, like the 14th century walls, the Sévigné Pavilion, a souvenir of the marchioness' stay, the Renaissance kitchen, the Collegiate Church and the underground areas.

This imposing memorial, standing at the end of a vast cemetery, pays tribute to the Australian soldiers who perished during the Great War. It was in Villers-Bretonneux that they finally halted the German offensive in April 1918. Anzac Day is commemorated there every year in April.