Situated in northern France in the Picardie region, Amiens was built on the banks of the river Somme. With evidence of inhabitance dating back to prehistoric times, the city has a rich cultural heritage, and was known to the Romans as Samarobriva. Owing to its prosperity, the area changed hands many times: from Romans to barbarians to Normans, and has been the site of many conflicts over the ages, notably the Battle of Amiens in 1918.
The Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens, the city's 13th century, gothic cathedral is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is notable as the tallest completed cathedral in France. Although most of the city's sites can be seen on foot, an excellent way to take in the town is to hire one of the Calèches de Samarobriva, horse-drawn carriages that are stationed outside the cathedral.
Amiens hosts many festivals throughout the year. In spring, the market gardeners (hortillons), in traditional Picardy dress, row boats packed with local produce up the Somme, for sale at the place Parmentier. There is an annual street art festival, with theatre and dance from throughout the region. And each year, the city hosts a giant car boot sale (réderie), which is second in size only to that of Lille.
The city's St Leu quarter is a great place to hunt for antiques and rare French books, or just relax at a sidewalk café with a view of the cathedral. The quarter features painstakingly restored timber-framed houses, painted in the original colour schemes. A nice spot to stop for a glass of wine is one of the little quai-front cafés which can be seen from the place Parmentier. You can get a peek into the life of Jules Verne, one of the city's most famous residents, at the museum now housed in his home on rue Charles Dubois.
Further afield from Amiens, be sure to check out Samara Park. These pre-historic caves feature daily demonstrations of fire making and stick throwing. And those on the Great War trail should take a visit to Villers-Bretonneux, and its imposing memorial to Australian soldiers, where Anzac day is commemorated every year.
