Amiens

Day 1: First glimpse of Amiens’ waters and old town

Ease into the city where river, canals and cathedral define the skyline. You’ll sample Saint‑Leu’s waterside ambience, then slip into the marsh‑gardens that made Amiens famous.

• Morning: Start at the cathedral and the small Parc de l’Évêché next door for calm garden views up to the façade; early light is best for photography. Wander down to Saint‑Leu via Pont de la Dodane and along Quai Bélu for a coffee by the canals, noting the old mill‑runners and workshops that once powered local trades.
• Midday: If it’s Saturday between April and October, catch the marché sur l’eau at Place Parmentier where hortillons still sell produce from their boats (arrive early and buy a little if you linger with photos). Otherwise, enjoy a leisurely lunch on Quai Bélu; book terrace tables in summer weekends.
• Afternoon: Take the classic Hortillonnages boat tour from 54 boulevard de Beauvillé (Port à Fumier); pre‑book in high season. Go slow, greet gardeners with a “Bonjour”, and keep voices low—many plots are private; in winter when tours pause, swap for a towpath walk behind Parc Saint‑Pierre for wide views of the rieux.
• Evening: Return to Saint‑Leu for dinner and blue‑hour canal reflections; bridges and quays are unguarded, so mind the edges after dark. If it’s warm, stroll through Parc Saint‑Pierre on the way back—locals picnic and play boules until late.

Day 2: Green lungs, towpaths and botanical calm

Today you follow the Somme as residents do—on foot or by bike—then slow down among historic plant collections. It’s an easy, low‑carbon day with water and greenery never far away.

• Morning: Wake up in Parc Saint‑Pierre for a jog or lakeside stroll, then hire bikes to join the Véloroute Vallée de la Somme along the chemin de halage towards Camon. Continue to the lock at Lamotte‑Brebière to watch a cruiser rise or fall—kids love the mechanics; keep right and signal when passing walkers.
• Midday: Picnic on the towpath or lunch in Camon and cycle back at an easy pace; breezes off the water keep it cool even on hot days. If you skipped yesterday’s boat, consider a short self‑drive electric boat circuit near Parc Saint‑Pierre—speeds are limited to protect the banks.
• Afternoon: Swap pedals for petals at the Jardin des Plantes (flat paths, calm, labelled collections; greenhouses offer shade on hot days). If you prefer more bustle, detour to Parc de la Hotoie for a classic city‑park vibe with wide lawns and old trees.
• Evening: Choose a quieter dinner off the main quay streets—Saint‑Leu’s back lanes are mellow at dusk. Sunset from Parc Saint‑Pierre’s footbridges gives big‑sky colours over the Somme and cathedral.

Day 3: Marsh‑garden art, hidden history and on‑the‑water views

Blend contemporary garden art with the centuries‑old marsh landscape, then seek out lesser‑known green heritage. End your trip back on the water at your own pace.

• Morning: From late May to mid‑October, explore the Festival International de Jardins in the Hortillonnages: either the boat circuit from Port à Fumier (allow ~2.5 hours) or the free walking route from Île aux Fagots (Parmentier parking fills early). Outside festival dates, visit the small Musée des Hortillonnages in Rivery for tools, stories and context before a gentle perimeter walk.
• Midday: Picnic between installations or grab a simple lunch near the Parc Saint‑Pierre end of the site; bring water and sun protection—shade is patchy on some islands. Wetland paths can be soft after rain; wear closed shoes.
• Afternoon: Head to the Jardin archéologique de Saint‑Acheul for an eye‑opening mix of geology, deep prehistory and planted interpretation; it’s a cerebral counterpoint to the marsh gardens. Alternative for romantics: a contemplative wander in the Cimetière de la Madeleine—serene woodland paths, mossy angels, and Jules Verne’s striking tomb.
• Evening: Kayak or SUP a permitted circuit in the Hortillonnages at golden hour (book ahead; keep clear of private plots and nesting birds). Toast your stay with a final waterside meal—summer terraces hum late, while in cooler months the canal lights make for quiet, reflective walks.

Seasonal notes:

• Spring (Apr–May): Blossom, fresh greens and lighter crowds—ideal for photography and towpath rides.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Peak demand—reserve boats, bikes and dinners; bring hats and refillable bottles.
• Autumn (Sep–Oct): Soft light and russet colours in the Hortillonnages and cemetery; festival closes mid‑October.
• Winter (Nov–Mar): Classic boat tours pause; focus on towpaths, Jardin des Plantes’ greenhouses and museum visits.

By Air

• Nearest airports:
  • Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – approx. 120 km. By car: ~1h30. By public transport: ~1h45–2h15 (usually RER B to Paris Gare du Nord, then TER; some routes via Creil).
  • Paris Beauvais (BVA) – approx. 65 km. By car: ~1h. By train: ~50–60 min (Beauvais–Amiens TER).
  • Paris Orly (ORY) – approx. 150 km. By car: ~1h45–2h. By public transport: ~2–2h30 (Orlyval/RER to Paris, then TER from Gare du Nord).
  • Lille (LIL) – approx. 140 km. By car: ~1h30. By public transport: ~1h45–2h30 (bus or tram to Lille Flandres, then TER).
• No commercial airport in Amiens; fly into the above and continue by train or car.

By Train

• Main station: Amiens (central; adjacent to the bus station at Place Alphonse Fiquet). Secondary: Saint-Roch (west side, for some regional services).
• Key routes (TER Hauts-de-France unless stated):
  • Paris Gare du Nord – Amiens: frequent direct services, ~1h10–1h30.
  • Lille Flandres – Amiens: ~1h30–1h50 (often 1 change at Arras/Douai; some direct at peak times).
  • Rouen Rive Droite – Amiens: ~1h20–1h40 (direct).
  • Beauvais – Amiens: ~50–60 min (direct).
  • Calais/Boulogne – Abbeville – Amiens: ~1h30–2h30 (regional).
• International:
  • From London: Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord (or Lille Europe), then TER; typical total 3.5–4.5h.
  • From Brussels: high-speed to Lille or Paris, then TER; ~3–4h total.

By Coach

• Central coach stop: Gare routière (next to the railway station, Place Alphonse Fiquet).
• Operators typically include FlixBus and BlaBlaCar Bus.
• Indicative times:
  • Paris (Bercy/La Défense) – Amiens: ~2–2h30 (traffic-dependent).
  • Lille – Amiens: ~2–2h30.
  • Rouen – Amiens: ~1h45–2h15.

By Car

• Motorways and main roads:
  • A16 (north–south: Paris/Beauvais ↔ Abbeville/Calais).
  • A29 (east–west: Saint-Quentin/A1 ↔ Le Havre/A28).
  • N25 (to Arras).
• Approximate driving times (normal traffic):
  • Paris: ~1h45 via A16.
  • Lille: ~1h30 via A1/A29.
  • Rouen: ~1h30 via A28/A29.
  • Calais: ~1h30 via A16.
  • Beauvais: ~1h via A16.
• Several central car parks near the station and cathedral; a ring road eases cross-city access.