Amiens Voyage Tips and guide

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Amiens is the capital of the northern French region of Hauts-de-France. As well as its own attractions, the city makes a practical base from which to explore the area of the First World War's Western Front located nearby.

140 km (87 mi) north of Paris. On the intersection of the A16 Abbeville - Beauvais and the A29 Rouen - Saint-Quentin (Aisne) and Reims. Providing direct access from the port of Le Havre and Calais, and an indirect but closer route from Dieppe.

• 49.8905562.3083331 Gare d'Amiens. Trains from Paris at least hourly, normally about €18 each way. Journey time one hour ten minutes for fast Corail trains, slightly longer for stopping TER services.  

There are many signs (direction, tourism, car parks). However, the city center is pedestrianized, it is advised to park a little farther, or in the numerous underground parking lots of the city center.

Amiens has a decent bus system (€1.40 for a ticket which is valid one hour) and a community bicycle system but bicycles are not in useful areas.

• 49.8952.3022221 Amiens's cathedral (Basilique Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens). one of the major works of the French Gothic style, with a fine façade and interesting sculptures. The cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. An impressive piece of architecture being the tallest and the greatest interior volume cathedral in France.  

• 49.8966152.311322 The Hortillonages (Hortillonnages d'Amiens), 54 Boulevard de Beauville, ☏ +33 3 22 92 12 18. market gardens and allotments separated by small canals connected by private bridges, are visitable by boat from available at Maison des Hortillonnages.  

• 49.88792.3021 Jules Verne Museum. The author's well-preserved 19th century home has become the small but cosy Jules Verne Museum, well worth a visit for those who are interested in literature.  
• 49.88842.295462 Amiens Circus. The Circus building is quite unique in France and Europe, even from the outside. If you can, try to get a seat for one of the events taking place there.  
• Football: Amiens SC play soccer in Ligue 2, the second tier in France. Their home ground Stade de la Licorne (capacity 12,100) is 3 km west of city centre.

There are a couple of tourist gift shops on the south side of the Place Notre Dame. The main shopping area is around Rue des Trois Cailloux.

• Macarons d'Amiens, small, round-shaped biscuit-type macaroons made from almond paste, fruit and honey.

Quai Belu on the north bank of the Somme has a good selection of restaurants, and some pleasant street seating. Quality food as catering for the locals but there is enough tourist trade that most have English menus available.

• 49.89432.3015651 Big Ben, 12 Rue Cormont, ☏ +33 3 22 52 98 49. (updated Jul 2017)

The area between the cathedral and the river Somme around Rue des Bondés is a popular area for drinking with indoor and outside seating. There are also a few possibilities around the Place Gambetta and near the rail station.

• 49.8955362.3035881 Baobar, 2 Rue des Bondés, ☏ +33 3 22 72 94 20. (updated Jul 2017)
• 49.890872.3061642 Tower's Pub, 5 Place Alphonse Fiquet, ☏ +33 3 22 91 84 48. (updated Jul 2017)

• 49.8914792.3074511 Holiday Inn Express Amiens, 10 Boulevard d'Alsace Lorraine, ☏ +33 3 22 22 38 50. Small but well furnished rooms. Can get hot in summer as no air-conditioning. Reasonable free breakfast. (updated Jul 2017)
• 49.8910322.3011852 Hôtel Marotte, 3 Rue Marotte, ☏ +33 3 60 12 50 00. (updated Jun 2017)
• 49.8911042.3041753 Grand Hotel De L'Univers (Best Western), 2 Rue de Noyon, ☏ +33 3 22 91 52 51. (updated Jul 2017)

• Albert and the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme
• Saint-Quentin (Aisne)
• Abbeville
• Rouen
• Beauvais