Hortillonnages of Amiens
Hortillonnages d'Amiens
Some 300 hectares of water gardens and vegetable plots on the city's east side. Travel the canals on a traditional flat-bottomed boat for views of the cathedral.
The Hortillonnages are wetlands formed by alluvium from the Somme and Avre rivers. Since the Middle Ages, market gardeners have turned them into small plots divided by 65 km of canals. Today most are private gardens and vegetable patches, covering about 300 hectares. The classic way to explore is to take a black flat-bottomed boat run by a preservation association, a tour of about 45–50 minutes that operates from April to October. Tickets cost about 7–8 euros, and the boat glides quietly past willows, flower beds and small wooden huts, with views back toward the cathedral spire. In summer, the 'Art, City and Landscape' festival installs artworks in the gardens. You can also walk or bike along the towpaths. The boarding point is on Boulevard de Beauvillé, on the east side of the Saint-Leu district.
Opening hours
Boats depart approx. 09:00–18:00 (Apr–Oct)
Nearby sights
- Amiens Cathedral
- Saint-Leu Quarter
- Jules Verne House
- Belfry of Amiens
- Musée de Picardie
- Samara Archaeological Park
- Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux
- Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial