Amiens & Baie de Somme Weekend
A car-free weekend trip: take the train to see Amiens Cathedral and the floating gardens, then ride a vintage steam train to the bay to spot seals.
A popular weekend getaway for Parisians. Spend the first day in Amiens visiting France's largest Gothic cathedral and the floating gardens. On the second day, transfer to the vintage steam train to Saint-Valery. On the third day, cycle to the cape to spot seals. The pace is relaxed and family-friendly. Traveling entirely without a car means you are bound by the steam train schedule and tide times; Marquenterre Bird Park and Le Crotoy are not included, but can be added with an extra night's stay.
The vintage steam train runs from early April to early November, but not daily; check the official calendar.
Day by day
Day 1 · Amiens Cathedral & Floating Gardens
Amiens & Somme（Amiens Cathedral、Hortillonnages of Amiens、Saint-Leu Quarter）
Take the train from Paris Gare du Nord to Amiens (approx. 1 hour 20 minutes), then walk about 10 minutes from the station to the Old Town.
Book the floating garden boat tours in advance; boats do not run during midday and late evening.
Stay: Saint-Leu District
Day 2 · Steam Train to Saint-Valery
Baie de Somme（Chemin de fer de la Baie de Somme、Saint-Valery-sur-Somme、Baie de Somme）
Take the regional train from Amiens to Noyelles-sur-Mer (approx. 50 minutes), then transfer to the vintage steam train to Saint-Valery.
The steam train does not run on Mondays and Fridays after late September; check the calendar before booking tickets.
Stay: Saint-Valery-sur-Somme
Day 3 · Cycling to Spot Seals & Return
Baie de Somme（Le Hourdel Seal Colony）
Rent a bike and cycle a flat 8 km route to the cape and back. In the afternoon, take the steam train back to Noyelles, and return to Paris via Amiens.
Arrive at the cape about an hour and a half before low tide. Do not approach the sandbanks when viewing the seals.