[edit]
The strategic position of Amiens makes it an attractive destination for a weekend or a few days, from Paris, Lille or Brussels. Amiens also benefits from the proximity of the Baie de Somme, a tourist hotspot registered at the Club des plus belles baies du monde [fr] and labelled Great Site of France [fr].
Amiens has the label of Towns and Lands of Art and History since 1992. Within this framework, the host of the heritage organises guided tours on themes intended for an audience of adults and children, with educational workshops. A signposted circuit allows an independent tour of the town, with information panels offering comment on places and notable buildings.
Amiens has an important historical and cultural heritage [fr], and an accessible and varied natural heritage, on which tourism is based. The main attractions are the cathedral, which is included in the world heritage of UNESCO, the hortillonnages, Jules Verne House [fr], the Tour Perret, the Musée de Picardie, the zoo [fr], and the Saint-Leu and Saint-Maurice neighborhoods.
Places and monuments[edit]
The commune has an exceptional heritage: 60 monuments listed in the inventory of monuments historiques and over 1600 places and monuments listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage; and on the other hand, 187 objects listed in the inventory of monuments historiques and 254 objects listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage. The information given below is relative only to a brief selection.
Notre-Dame d'Amiens[edit]
Main article: Amiens Cathedral
Façade of Notre-Dame Cathedral
C’est une femme adorable, cette Cathédrale, c’est une Vierge. [...] Point de confusion vaine, ici, point d’exagération ni d’enflure. C’est l’empire absolu de l’élégance suprême.
[She's an adorable woman, this Cathedral – a Virgin. [...] No empty confusion, here, no exaggeration or pompousness. It is the absolute empire of supreme elegance.]
— Auguste Rodin, Les cathédrales de France (1914)
Amiens Cathedral deserves the name given by M. Viollet-le-Duc, 'the Parthenon of Gothic architecture'.— John Ruskin, The Bible of Amiens
The city is famous for its Notre-Dame Cathedral, masterpiece of Gothic art and one of the largest cathedrals in the world by its interior volume (200,000 m3 (7,100,000 cu ft)). The largest religious and medieval building of France, its interior could twice hold Notre-Dame de Paris.
The cathedral measures 145 metres (476 ft) long and its spire rises 112 metres (367 ft) high. The vaults of the central nave, finished in 1247, are 42.3 metres (139 ft), close to the maximum limit for this architecture.
Dating back to the 13th century, its construction is due to the wealth of the city in the Middle Ages and to the fire of the Romanesque cathedral which stood previously. Three architects, including Robert of Luzarches succeeded to complete the construction.
Amiens Cathedral is notable for the coherence of its plan, the beauty of its three-tier interior elevation, the particularly fine display of sculptures on the principal façade and in the south transept, and inlays of its floor. It is also described by John Ruskin as "Gothic, clear of Roman tradition and of Arabian taint, Gothic pure, authoritative, unsurpassable, and unaccusable."
Regarded as the archetype of the classic Gothic style, the cathedral also presents some elements of the radiant Gothic style and flamboyant Gothic. The speed of construction, barely 70 years for the shell (1220 to 1269), explains this remarkable homogeneity of style. Its façade is decorated with more than 3,000 statues, gargoyles and chimeras.
Registered since 1981 as a World Heritage Site of UNESCO, it is a "masterpiece of world heritage". For a second time in 1998, it is a monumental step on the Camino de Santiago. Despite the two World Wars of the 20th century, which severely affected the city, it managed to stay intact.
A show of the reproduction of the original polychromy of façades, discovered as a result of recent laser cleaning, is given annually for free in December and during the summer period. The show is a projection on the façade of slides in color.
The zodiac [fr] is a set of reliefs on the foundations of the western façade formed series of quatrefoil medallions, carved in a representative agrarian calendar and the signs of the zodiac.
The statue of the weeping Angel [fr] that is on a tomb carved by Nicolas Blasset [fr], and the reliefs evoking Saint-Firmin and St. John the Baptist, are some of the well-known works of the cathedral.
At ground level lies the intact labyrinth [fr] of 234 metres (768 ft) long.
On the north side of the cathedral is the former Palace of the Bishop of Amiens [fr], occupied by the École supérieure de commerce [fr] in Amiens.
The cathedral seen from the Rue André
West entrance
Entrance
The labyrinth
The choir
Columns
Mausoleum of Charles de Vitry
Tomb of Canon Lucas
Belfry[edit]
The belfry of Amiens
The origin of the Belfry of Amiens [fr] dates back to the establishment of the commune of Amiens by Louis VI. It is mentioned for the first time in an arbitral award issued by the chapter of Amiens in 1244.
Symbolizing the independence of the commune, it was formerly used for meetings of the notables of the city and then as archive rooms, weapons store and prison. A spotter nearby monitored arrivals and warned the population of the external dangers. During the Middle Ages, the building was repeatedly engulfed by fire.
The belfry is composed of a base in white cut stone, built in the 15th century between 1406 and 1410, a stone superstructure bell tower built from 1749 with Baroque volutes at its base, and a dome covered with slate and then the renowned arrow weather vane. At the time, a huge 11-ton bell was installed inside, it was later destroyed along with the dome, whose copper component melted, in the bombardment and fire of the city on 19 May 1940. Abandoned and devoid of a roof since World War II, the monument was fully restored between February 1989 and July 1990.
Located on the Place au Fil, the old central square of the city before the arrival of the railway and the rise of the Rue des Trois Calloux, the belfry is adjacent to Les Halles and the back of the Hôtel de Ville (city hall). At a height of 52 metres (171 ft), it rings every hour of the day.
Since July 2005, the belfry of Amiens is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of a set of 56 Belfries of Belgium and France which were inscribed because of their architecture and their importance in the rise of municipal power in Northern France and Belgium. The belfry is also recorded in the inventory of Historic Monuments.
Cirque Jules-Verne[edit]
The municipal circus of Amiens in 1912, on the festival of Saint Jean.
The municipal circus of Amiens in 2006.
In 1845, the traditional fair of Saint-Jean, formerly held at Place René Goblet, was transferred to Place Longueville. It is a wide esplanade that took the place of the Longueville bastion, after the demolition of the city walls in the early 19th century. Each year, a temporary circus is established for this occasion.
In 1865, a circus company emerged to claim a permanent circus, which would be built in wood by the Schytte contractor in 1874. However, expensive maintenance prompted the municipality to consider the construction of a new building. The decision was made in 1886 under the leadership of Mayor Frédéric Petit and the work began.
The Chief Architect of the Somme, Émile Ricquier [fr], a disciple of Gustave Eiffel, was responsible for its construction. It was inspired by the Cirque d'hiver of Paris but with a cast metal frame, supplemented by brick from the local countryside. The architect of civil buildings, Charles Garnier, claimed that the frames should be hidden with a plaster imitating stone. The "moderninst" design of Ricquier, who chose to display the structure, and to favor local material such as brick, is visible at the rear of the monument.
With its 16-sided polygonal shape and a diameter of 44 metres (144 ft), it includes lodges and stalls in its enclosure. As a completely modern project, it hosted two steam engines, dedicated to fully electric lights and central heating. Since its construction, it was also the first circus which included a buffet and a refreshment bar. The cost of the construction of the building finally reached double the forecast. In 1888, the new city councilor responsible for festivals and celebrations, Jules Verne, was responsible for monitoring the work, and it was he who opened it on Sunday 23 June 1889, for the opening of the fair and the centenary of the French Revolution:
The new circus is a work of art that your municipal administration wanted to build with all of the enhancements of modern industry. It is the very best, undoubtedly, it is also the most comprehensive, with its facilities and equipment, to have been built in France and abroad.— Jules Verne
The roof was damaged by a shell in 1916. The circus was the setting for Federico Fellini's The Clowns (1971), and the film by Jean-Jacques Beineix, Roselyne and the Lions (1989), with Isabelle Pasco as lead actress. The largest of the circuses of the province with its 3,000-seats, the building has acquired a multidisciplinary use for decades of performances of theatre, dance, concerts, galas, sports and public meetings.
Renovated in 2003, it now bears the name of Cirque Jules-Verne [fr]. After hosting the performances of Cirque Rancy [fr], it hosts resident Cirque Arlette Gruss [fr].
Since 1 January 2011, the circus has been labelled "national hub circus and street arts", managed by an EPCC [fr]. It is one of seven in France and is still in use today.
The house of Jules-Verne[edit]
In 1882, Jules Verne and his wife, Honorine, rented the house [fr] at the corner of Rue Charles-Dubois and Boulevard Longueville until 1900. Acquired in 1980 by the city, the house is labeled Maisons des Illustres by the Ministry of Culture. Restored in 2006, thanks to the work of the Centre international Jules-Verne [fr], this 19th-century mansion, registered as a national heritage site, traces through the exhibition of more than 700 objects, the personality, the sources of inspiration and memories of Jules Verne.
Tour Perret[edit]
Main article: Tour Perret (Amiens)
The Tour Perret lit in colour for the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day
Opposite the Gare d'Amiens, is located the Tour Perret (from the name of its architect Auguste Perret). Over 100 metres (330 ft) high, it was one of the first skyscrapers built in Europe, and the highest for a long time.
The Church of Saint-Leu[edit]
The Église Saint-Leu d'Amiens [fr] was built at the end of the 15th century, on the model of the hall-churches. It is dedicated, as its district, to Saint Leu, referring to the 7th century bishop who was exiled to the Vimeu. It has three naves. A flamboyant portal adorns the base of the steeple. The latter, struck by lightning, had to be rebuilt at the beginning of the 16th century. The ends of beams are carved. Stone and wood statues date from the 17th century. The choir houses the glory of the Duthoit brothers.
Other notable buildings or monuments[edit]
Architecture from antiquity[edit]
Numerous archaeological excavations have uncovered remains from proto-historic times to the Roman era. Two skylights cut in the last development of Place Gambetta, allow observation of a few remains of the forum. And, important remnants of a large Gallo-Roman theatre uncovered in early 2007, have been dismantled and stored in accordance with the rules of archaeological conservation, during the redevelopment of the Gare neighborhood in March 2007.
The Archaeological garden of Saint-Acheul [fr] testifies to the presence of Paleolithic man in the Somme Valley some 450,000 years ago. A stratigraphic cut, classified as an historic monument since 1947, allows visualisation of successive strata of the Somme Valley.
Architecture from the Middle Ages[edit]
The Church of Saint-Germain [fr] is disused, but where exhibitions are regularly held on the colourisation of the cathedral and the St-Germain neighborhood, and historical competitor of the Saint-Leu neighborhood. The animosity, between the populations of the two districts has marked the history of Amiens. This church has a high and oddly leaning tower. Affected by the bombing of 1940, it was returned temporarily to worship in October 1965, after a thorough restoration.
The remains of the Hôtel-Dieu (Saint-Leu district, between the CRDP and the Faculty of Sciences),
The mills Passe avant and Passe arrière (at Saint-Leu).
Architecture from the Renaissance[edit]
The renaissance façade of the Maison du Sagittaire (moved to adjoin the Logis du Roy).
The Logis du Roy (Faculty of Arts until 2003).
The House of the Bailiwick or Malmaison.
The Citadelle: First ravelin, erected north of the Montrescu gate, the fortress was located in 1531 by F. di Giorgio on the order of Francis I (Francis I gate, with sculpted salamanders). After the capture by the Spaniards and its takeover by Henry IV (1597), Jean Errard received the charge to rebuild the defences of the city.
The Logis du Roy and the Maison du Sagittaire.
The Maison du bailliage ou Malmaison, former residence of the bailli of Amiens, constructed in 1541.
Gate of the Ravelin of Montrescu constructed from 1524 to 1531.
Architecture from the 17th and 18th centuries[edit]
Abbey of Saint-Jean-des-Prémontrés of Amiens [fr] (cloister Dewailly)
Abbey of Saint-Acheul (17th and 18th centuries) and the Church (built in 1760 on the vault of Fermin of Amiens)
The water tower and fountains of Amiens (1753)
The façade of the former theatre (now a bank). It was moved 4 metres (13 ft) to the line of the Rue des Trois-Cailloux.
The façade of the Stengel barracks [fr] (currently an apartment building)
The Palace of the Bishop [fr] of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Seminary of the Lazarists: located on Rue Jules-Barni, it was built between 1736 and 1741 and benefitted from several extensions of which the last was built under the aegis of François-Auguste Cheussey [fr] in 1828. Seized by the State [fr], following the Act of 1905, the seminary was the barracks office (named after the general assigned to the Committee of fortifications, Pierre Charles Dejean) from 1909 to 1993. During this period, it housed the headquarters of the 8th infantry division.
The Hôtel de Ville (city hall) (partly 18th century and partly 19th century). Made in the regional style of stone and brick, with bedrock of sandstone, and stone pavilions. On the pediment is found the statues of King Louis VI and Bishop Geoffroi, which granted freedom to Amiens in 1115.
The Hôtel de Ville (city hall)
The former Stengel barracks converted into apartments (18th century, historic monuments, 1992).
Façade of the former theatre of Amiens, bank Rue des Trois-Cailloux.
Fountain of Rue Saint-Jacques.
Convent of the grey sisters (18th century, historic monuments, 1992).
Abbaye Saint-Jean-des-Prémontrés [fr] (18th century, historic monuments, 1992).
Hôtel Blin de Bourdon (18th century: 1 Rue des Augustins, historic monuments, 1993).
Maison Cozette (18th century) : 26 Place Vogel (historic monuments, 1992).
Hôtel de la Préfecture (18th and 19th centuries, historic monuments, 1992).
Architecture from the 19th century[edit]
The Palace of Justice was built from 1865 to 1880 on the site of the Abbey of Saint-Martin-les-Jumeaux (1073 to 1634) established at the supposed place of the sharing of the cloak of Saint Martin and the convent of the religious Order of the Celestines (1634 to 1781). Les Célestins, whose order was abolished in 1778, left the premises in 1881.
Henriville neighborhood, including the hotel Acloque (neo-Louis XIII style) and the Saint-Martin Church (neo-Gothic, built by Louis Antoine in 1874).
The House of Jules Verne [fr], which was reopened after renovation, in 2006, including the present neo-Gothic dining room and antique desk. The tower was covered with an armillary sphere commissioned from artist François Schuiten, who also signed the mural extending the imaginary garden of yesteryear.
The Cimetière de la Madeleine [fr] (Madeleine Cemetery) contains a number of listed monuments including the sculpture on Jules Verne's Tomb. His tomb is decorated with a sculpture by Albert Roze symbolising the resurrection: Jules Verne lifting the slab to glimpse the modern world.
Saint-Acheul cemetery [fr] where various Amiens personalities are buried and where there is a domed tomb with a sculpture by Auguste Rodin.
The Dewailly clock, by Émile Ricquier [fr] (completely redone in 1999), supplemented by the statue of Marie-sans chemise of Albert Roze, originally in the Place Gambetta.
The former insurance house, Rue Marotte, built by E. Ricquier in 1893 (now a bar).
The Louis Aragon library [fr], Rue de la République, built by François-Auguste Cheussey [fr] in 1823, neoclassical style with a peristyle with columns in Tuscan drums.
The monastery of the visitation, built between 1839 and 1841 by Herbault.
The Palace of Justice, new buildings constructed by Cheussey in 1834 and 1846.
The renovations by Cheussey (1816–1848) of the cathedral.
Place Saint-Denis (now place René Goblet) is designed in 1839 by the architect François Auguste Cheussey.
The parish church Saint-Firmin-le-Martyr by Cheussey in 1843.
The Church of Sainte-Anne [fr] of the architect Victor Delefortrie [fr].
The Church St-Rémi [fr] of architect Paul Delefortrie [fr].
Palace of Justice (19th century, historic monuments).
Hôtel Acloque (19th century, historic monuments, 1999).
The convent of the Visitation-Sainte-Marie (19th century, historic monuments).
Architecture from the 20th century[edit]
The hotel Bouctot-Vagniez (seat of the Regional Chamber of commerce and industry), built by Louis Duthoit in 1909, a rare Art Nouveau building in Amiens.
The English neighborhood, located on the road from Longueau, including a British phone box. An island of London in the heart of Amiens.
The ESIEE Amiens, designed by the architects Jean Dubus and Jean-Pierre Lott. A modern building identified by its saucer.
Complex of Art Deco buildings on Rue Cauvin, as well as the Gueudet garages (Rue des Otages).
Église Saint-Honoré, rebuilt between 1957 and 1961, by Paul Tournon, on the plans of the pontifical pavilion of the universal exhibition in Paris [fr] in 1937.
The hotel Vagniez-Renon (current headquarters of the administrative tribunal): A former residence of Henriville, it houses a Moorish-style hydrotherapy room, designed by Émile Ricquier [fr].
The Saint-Pierre church, destroyed in 1940 and rebuilt in 1949 by Evrard, in glass and concrete, with a brick bell tower.
Le Courrier Picard [fr]: The headquarters of the daily life of Amiens, first Progrès de la Somme, belongs to a set of Art Deco buildings.
The monument of Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque by Jan and Joël Martel in 1950.
The Carmel of the Holy Spirit, on the Montjoie Hill, built in 1965 by architect Pierre Pinsard [fr].
The House of culture of Amiens [fr], inaugurated on 19 March 1966 by André Malraux, built by Jean Duthilleul [fr].
The Coliséum, inaugurated on 5 January 1996, built by the architect Pierre Parat [fr] (designer of the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy).
The Stade de la Licorne, built in 1999 by architects Philippe Chaix [fr] and Jean-Paul Morel.
Architecture from the 21st century[edit]
The Cinema Gaumont Amiens opened in 2005. It is the work of architects Philippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel [fr]. The interior decoration is the work of Christian Lacroix and artists Alain Balzac and François Michel.
The Verrière de la place de la gare d'Amiens, also called the Canopy. It is the work of architect Claude Vasconi, known especially for the Forum des Halles in Paris. A subject of a controversy when it opened in March 2008, the canopy is designed to create a link between the pedestrian zone of the city center and the ZAC Gare la Vallée, and to become a business district of Amiens. Criticised for its massive and imposing area of more than 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft), the canopy rises to 15 metres (49 ft) in height and is composed of pixellated glass panels created by Bernard Pictet [fr]. This is one of the largest canopies in Europe.
The Zenith of Amiens by Massimiliano Fuksas, in the Renancourt neighborhood between the Mégacité and the Hippodrome. Construction was completed in 2008.
Environmental heritage[edit]
Amiens has 270 hectares (670 acres) of green space (excluding communal woodland) 118,300 hectares (292,000 acres) of hortillonnages, 300 hectares (740 acres) of forests, 30 hectares (74 acres) of marshland, in addition to its river and its streams.
Floral City awarded the maximum score of 4 flowers in the floral contest of cities and villages of France to Amiens, and it offers a particularly rich wooded heritage. With 38,650 trees (excluding woodland), of which 17,000 are situated on highways, Amiens to win the national tree award. In 2014, the city ranked in the top 10 greenest cities of France.
Presenting itself as a city concerned with the environment, Amiens has made the link between the city and nature a central axis of its metropolitan development project called Amiens 2030.
The hortillonages[edit]
Canals and bridges in the hortillonnages
Amiens is also known for the hortillonnages [fr], gardens on small islands in over 300 hectares (740 acres) of marshland between the River Somme and River Avre, surrounded by a grid network of human-made canals (locally known as "rieux"). They are also known as the "floating gardens of Amiens". The hortillonnages are sometimes called "Little Venice of the North", because of the canals.
Hortillon means market garden in Picard, and derives from the Latin hortillus, small garden. It is navigated in flat bottom boats, formerly called barque à cornet [Cornet boat], due to the very raised front, which allows the boats to easily dock on the fragile shores of the cultivated fields. It is the upstream port, located at the foot of the cathedral, where a weekly market is held on the water, although the arrival the growers by boat can only be accomplished once a year, in summer.
Amiens Metropolitan Zoo[edit]
Prior to its opening in May 1952, the Amiens Zoo [fr] is a green space bordering the basin of the Park of the Hotoie [fr]. It was the mayor of the time, Maurice Vast [fr], who decided to develop the site in 1949. Originally intended as an entertainment venue, the zoo began its mission of conservation, education and research between 1970 and 1980. Between 1990 and 2000, the zoo was completely renovated and became a permanent member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in 2001 and the National Association of Zoological Parks [fr] (ANPZ) in 2002. Today, there are 300 animals, representing approximately 75 species from all continents, cohabiting on 6.5 hectares (16 acres). They live in environments, which are close to their natural environment, favouring their well-being. In 2014, the zoo received 161,128 visitors. Traditionally, entry is free on 14 July, Bastille Day.
Red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra)
Lar gibbons (Hylobates lar)
Red panda (Ailurus fulgens)
South American coati (Nasua nasua).
Jena and Praya, the two Asian elephants (Elephas maximus).
California sea lion (Zalophus californianus)
Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti)
The main parks and gardens[edit]
The principal parks and gardens in the city.
Parc Saint-Pierre [fr], between the Saint-Leu neighborhood and the hortillonnages, a 22 hectares (54 acres) park in the heart of the city, which was awarded the Prix du paysage [fr] in 2005.
Parc du Grand Marais [fr], along the Somme Canal, to the west of the city. Covering over 25 hectares (62 acres), this park has many sports facilities: American football stadium, skate bowl, football field, play structures.
Jardin des plantes [fr] originally called the Jardin du Roy. Created in 1751, it is the oldest garden of Amiens on the Boulevard du jardin des plantes.
Square Pierre Marie Saquez on Rue des Cordeliers
Parc de l'Évêché d'Amiens [fr], at the foot of the cathedral on Place Saint-Michel
Jardin médiéval on Impasse Joron
Square Beauregard on Rue Louis Thuillier
Parc Jean Rostand [fr] on Rue Vulfran Warmé
Parc du Château de Montières [fr] on Rue Baudoin d'Ailly
Parc du Petit Marais on the Avenue des cygnes
Square Paul Gauguin on the Avenue de la paix
Parc de la Hotoie [fr]
Marais des trois vaches
Parc du Château blanc, on the Route de Rouen
Bois Bonvallet [fr]
Square de la rose des vents on Rue du Docteur Fafet
Plaine Saint Ladre
Parc Léon Pille on Rue de l'Agrappin
Zoo d'Amiens [fr] on the Esplanade de la Hotoie
Cimetière de la Madeleine [fr], on Rue Saint Maurice
Le Square Saint-Denis [fr]
Square Montplaisir, on Place Joffre
Square Aimé Césaire, on Boulevard de Belfort
Clos Alexandre [fr], jardin floral et paysager privé
Cimetière Saint-Acheul [fr], on Rue de Cagny
Jardin archéologique de Saint-Acheul [fr], on Rue de Boutillerie
As a floral city, 4 flowers were awarded in 2013 by the National Council of Cities and Villages of France for the competition of floral cities and villages. The national Council of Cities and Villages awarded the 2012 National Tree Prize to the city for "its exceptional and innovative management of its wooded heritage" with its 37,000 trees, some more than a century old.
Cultural heritage[edit]
Museums[edit]
Musée de Picardie
The Musée de Picardie is a key site in the history of the National Museum, since it is the first building to have been built in France to serve as a museum. Built under the Second Empire on the model of the new Louvre of Napoleon III, it opened its doors to the public in 1867 after the visit of the emperor. Considered the French model of a 19th-century museum, it was nicknamed the "Little Louvre of the Province". It hosted very early rich collections which are now divided into four departments: Archaeology in the basement, the Medieval art on the ground floor, fine arts on the ground floor and the first floor, and modern and contemporary art on the first floor. Rooms are also devoted to temporary exhibitions. The department of fine arts brings together paintings by Van Dyck, Jordaens, Ruysdael, El Greco, Ribera, Tiepolo, Guardi, Fragonard, Chardin, Boucher, Quentin de La Tour, Vouet, Corot and Courbet. The modern and contemporary collection is represented by Picasso, Picabia, Balthus, Dubuffet, Hélion, Bacon, Miró and Manessier. Access to the picture galleries of the first floor is by a mounumental staircase in a setting dedicated to the famous wall compositions of Pierre Puvis de Chavannes.
Musée de l'Hôtel de Berny
The Hotel de Berny Museum is a regional museum of local art and history. This building, typical of the Louis XIII architecture, was built in 1634 as a mansion of the treasurers of France. Property of Gérard de Berny, Senator of the Somme in the first half of the 20th century, has restored the façades and settled its collections. Located a few metres from the cathedral, this Museum of France retains an exceptional collection of woodwork, furniture and objets d'art (tapestries, ceramics, ironworks) and memories (objects and arrays) of Amiens personalities: Jules Verne, Choderlos de Laclos, Édouard Branly, Jean-Baptiste Gresset, Vincent Voiture, Joseph Pinchon, Maréchal Leclerc. The museum is currently undergoing a complete renovation of its buildings and an overhaul of the installation of its museum collections.
The House of Jules Verne [fr] from the Mail Albert 1st
The House of Jules Verne [fr], labeled Maisons des Illustres, is the home of the most translated writer in the world after Agatha Christie: Jules Verne. He lived here from 1882 to 1900 with his wife Honorine, and wrote part of his work in this mansion of the 19th century. To visit is to enter into the intimate and creative universe of the author. The building largely retains its original decor and opens almost all of its rooms, from the ground floor to the attic. The permanent collections are presented on two floors, in the attic, the tower and the belvedere of the house: Approximately 700 collected objects evoke the personality, sources of inspiration and memories of Jules Verne. Costumed tours, performances, parties and literary encounters of thematic conferences are also regularly organised.
The Gallery of stained glass is located in the workshop of master glassmaker Claude Barre, in a 16th-century house near to the cathedral. It presents a large collection to the public, including religious stained-glass windows and interiors, from the 11th to the 19th century. The gallery also offers demonstrations on the techniques of stained glass.
The House of culture of Amiens [fr] (MCA or MACU) was inaugurated on 19 March 1966 by André Malraux. A major cultural institution [fr] in the region, it has two exhibition halls for contemporary art; the Matisse Hall and the Giacometti Room, which both regularly host exhibitions of sculptures, photographs and plastic arts.
The Fonds régional d'art contemporain of Picardie (FRAC Picardie), created in 1983, aims to promote contemporary art, in particular through dissemination actions. As early as 1985, FRAC Picardie had specialised its action in the field of the design and its contemporary dimensions. It is also interested in new media, on and off paper, since artists are now working through the video medium. This has allowed it to acquire a good reputation in France and abroad. In 30 years, the FRAC has brought together a unique collection of a thousand drawings which include major names of contemporary art, such as Basquiat, Dubuffet, Oppenheim, Twombly, Matta, and Manessier. In 2001, discussions are undertaken to construct a new building to accommodate the fonds and its collections.
Amiens was strongly tipped to host the Louvre II.
Concert halls[edit]
The city has a number of concert spaces, mostly small venues, and pubs also host numerous concerts throughout the year.
The Zenith of Amiens was inaugurated in September 2008. With a capacity of 6,000 seats, it is the work of the Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas. Holder of the required Zénith label, this facility allows the hosting of national and international headline acts and ensures a high level of services and organisation. The accessibility of the place by motorway (A16, A29, A1), and the possibilities of free parking, the venue radiates to Belgium and to the Paris region.
The megacity [fr] is the Park of the Congress and Exhibitions of Amiens. Located in immediate proximity of the Zenith of Amiens and the Stade de la Licorne, there are two auditoriums of 350 and 1,000 places where concerts and comedy shows [fr] are programmed.
Cirque Jules-Verne [fr], the biggest grand circus of France, has about 1,700 seating spaces since its renovation in 2003. It welcomes, among other shows, concerts.
The House of culture of Amiens [fr] offers many live shows and concerts. It manages also New Dreams, a room for 120 seated or 300 standing, which also hosts concerts.
The Auditorium Henri Dutilleux is the auditorium of the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional d'Amiens [fr]. With high acoustic quality, it offers 370 seats on three levels. It offers mainly classical concerts.
La Lune des Pirates [fr] is the stage of contemporary music [fr] (SMAC) of the city. Created in 1987 in a former banana warehouse of the Belu Wharf, La Lune has a capacity of 250 seats.
Theaters[edit]
The House of Culture of Amiens [fr]
The House of Culture of Amiens [fr] has the Scène nationale [fr] accreditation from the Ministry of Culture. Cultural place of the city, its mission is broad and covers many disciplines: theatre, music, dance, cinema and visual arts. It brings together two theatres: the Grand Théâtre (1,070 seats) and the Petit Théâtre (300 seats).
The Comédie de Picardie [fr] (ComDePic) is one of the city's main theatres. This Scène conventionnée [fr] was founded in 1989 by the Regional Council of Picardy and offers fifteen plays every year. The theatre has a room of 400 places and houses its own company.
The Maison du Théâtre was established in April 1988 in the historic neighborhood of Saint-Leu [fr]. Its activities range from creation to dissemination, training and theatrical information. Focused on contemporary theatre, the Maison du Théâtre also hosts local theatrical companies and their creations.
The puppet theatre "Chés cabotants of Amiens", founded in 1933, is the heir of some eighty cabotan theatres which were created in Amiens in the 19th century. Amiens is known as the French capital of the puppet son. Since 1997, a theatre is dedicated to Chés Cabotans of Amiens and its popular hero Lafleur. It is located in the heart of the Saint-Leu neighborhood.
The Boîte à Rire is a café-théâtre, created in September 2012. This 48-seat hall is located near to Amiens Cathedral, and proudly displays a one-man show and Boulevard theatre.
Cultural Centers[edit]
Amiens Métropole has nine cultural centers which cover much of the metropolitan area: six in various districts of Amiens, and three in the neighbouring communes of Longueau, Camon and Glisy. These outreach facilities working in the field of art and creation are openly oriented "venues". Open to all, they offer an eclectic programme; theatre and concerts, shows for young people and dance, projections of films, exhibitions, meetings and debates. In 2013, they accommodated 48,000 people.
The Briqueterie was installed in 2001 on the site of the former Friant military barracks in the Elbeuf neighborhood. As part of its programming, it hosts concerts, as well as exhibitions, public theatre and shows for youths. To this end, it has a room that can accommodate 120 people.
The Jacques Tati cultural center is located in the heart of the Pierre Rollin. Opened in January 2008, the Jacques Tati theatre has 198 seats and hosts plays, public youth performances, and concerts.
The Léo-Lagrange cultural center is located in Saint Germain district. A venue for exhibitions, meetings and performances of music, theatre, dance and circus, it has a room of 85 seats named the chapel.
The CSC is installed in the heart of the Etouvie neighborhood. Its missions include the dissemination of exhibitions and performances. To this end, it has a room of 150 seats.
The Étoile du sud is located in the neighbourhood Victorine-Autier. This cultural center is specialized in urban cultures and has the peculiarity of having a computer (MAO) recording studio.
The Safran is located in the north neighborhood of Amiens. This 'multidisciplinary and experimental' Scène conventionnée [fr] offers diverse programming: Drama, public youth shows, dance and exhibitions. Its theatre hall, known as Gérard-Philipe has 220 spaces. Saffron also hosts a music complex, the Cité Carter, which offers rehearsal studios, recording sessions and organises concerts of contemporary music in its 250-seat hall.
Libraries[edit]
The Bibliothèques d'Amiens Métropole [fr] is a network of 28 facilities spread over the whole territory of the metropolis. The heart of this network is the Louis Aragon library, located on Rue de la République. Built between 1823 and 1826, it is one of the oldest municipal libraries in France. It experienced several improvements, including campaigns of work between 1982 and 1993, which have endowed it with new spaces: Two auditoriums, a youth space, a library and an art library.
Registration and borrowing is free for all of the people of Amiens in all libraries. Two libraries also provide service to neighborhoods and the communes of the agglomeration, and there is home delivery of documents for people with reduced mobility.
Cinemas[edit]
There are three cinemas:
The Cinema Gaumont Amiens (12 rooms, 2,700 seats) was inaugurated in September 2005. Located just steps from the Amiens railway station, it has a large lobby and a 600-seat room. A 500-space car park is located under the cinema. It is the work of the architects Philippe Chaix and Jean-Paul Morel [fr] and its interior decoration was entrusted to Christian Lacroix. In 2011, this multiplex received 887,000 cinemagoers.
The Cine-Saint-Leu (one room with 250 seats) was inaugurated in October 2000, after the closure of the Regent Cinema located near the railway station. An arthouse cinema, it is part of the major cultural facilities of the Cathedral Centre. Its eclectic and cinephile programming offers the possibility to see the original version of contemporary films.
The Studio Orson Welles (one room with 180 seats in the Maison de la culture d'Amiens [fr]). An arthouse cinema operated by the Maison de la culture d'Amiens [fr], it offers arthouse films as well as retrospectives of great names of the seventh art, old or contemporary.
Cultural events and festivals[edit]
Throughout the year, Amiens is the seat of many cultural, traditional or economic events.
The Royal de luxe company during the 28th Fête dans la ville in 2005.
The Festival Art, city and landscape in the hortillonnages
Detail of the son et lumière show of Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs.
The Grande Réderie d'Amiens
Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs.
The Fête au bord de l'eau
The 13th Rendez-Vous de la Bande Dessinée d'Amiens [fr] in 2008.
The Gilles of Binche at the inauguration of the Christmas market in 2013.
The Un été en musique event at the Jules Bocquet bandstand.
Annual Events
Month
Event
Subject
Number of editions (In 2015)
January
Festival Tendance Europe
This festival, organised by the Maison de la culture d'Amiens [fr], is dedicated to contemporary creation. Programming highlights emerging European artists in a variety of areas: Theatre, dance, music, circus arts and visual arts.
9
February
Salon des Antiquaires
The Salon des Antiquaires of the city is held, every year, at the Megacity [fr]. Its reputation makes it one of the most important events of its kind in the north of the France.
12
March
Festival du jeu et de l'imaginaire : À toi de Jouer
This festival is dedicated to playing and imagination, featuring board games, card games, video games, roleplaying, comics and manga. Many tournaments are organized during this event which takes place at Megacity [fr]. The first edition was held on 12 and 13 May 2012 with Simon Astier [fr] for sponsor.
4
Salon du chocolat et gourmandises en Picardie
For three days at the Megacity [fr], the fair offers demonstrations, parades, contests around the theme of chocolate and food in general.
5
April
Grande réderie de printemps [fr]
The Grande réderie de printemps [fr] (jumble sale) is a popular event that takes place twice a year: in spring (the last Sunday in April) and autumn (the first Sunday in October). After the Braderie de Lille, the Réderie of Amiens is the second largest event of its kind in France. It hosts more than 2,000 professional traders and individuals as well as 80,000 to 100,000 visitors to each edition.
–
May
Leitura furiosa
This festival, organized by the association "Cardan", offers various free activities relating to the world of words: Workshops, calligraphy, typography, writing games, slam and shows.
23
June
Foire Exposition de Picardie
It takes place at the park of the congress and exhibitions of Amiens, the Megacity [fr]. During nine days, it hosts approximately 50,000 visitors, 300 exhibitors and more than 20 activities.
76
Rendez-Vous de la Bande Dessinée d'Amiens [fr]
This comic strip festival, organised by the association "Explorers on the bubble", is one of the most important comic strip festivals in France. Created in 1996, it takes place each first weekend in June, in the University Library of the Cathedral hub. Various activities in connection with the festival are also organized at different places in the city.
20
Fête dans la ville
This international festival of street theatre is also known under the name of "The street is in Amiens". Created in 1977, it invited 20 companies for four days of performances, parades, fairground theatre, and circus performances in the streets of the city.
38
Marché sur l'eau
Once a year, in the context of the "Festival in the city", the walking on water takes place. Growers (gardeners) in traditional costumes boat down the Somme with their crafts loaded with fruit and vegetables from the hortillonnages.
–
June to July
Foire de la Saint Jean
It is the largest funfair in the north of the France. It takes place during 3 weeks between mid-June and mid-July on the esplanade of Hotoie [fr].
–
June to September
Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs
Created in 1999, this son et lumière show is the first world. Daily from mid-June to mid-September as well as in December, in the dark, the medieval colors of the portals of the façade of the cathedral are reborn thanks to projections of digital images. Since its inception, nearly two million people have attended the free event.
15
Un été en musique
This summer event, conducted from June to September, offers a series of free concerts outdoors (at Place René Goblet and Place Gambetta, and the Jules Bocquet bandstand). Programming is mainly of local artists.
–
June to October
Festival Art, villes et paysage – Hortillonnages Amiens
This festival, organized by the Maison de la culture d'Amiens [fr], was born in 2010 under the heading "Imagine it now". Invited are landscapers, visual artists, architects and designers involved in the hortillonnages. In total, twenty artists facilities and landscaped gardens are located in several places in the hortillonnages. These unusual works (such as floating sculptures, reinvented huts, diverted gardens, revisited gardens) are visible either by walking track or boat, from June to October.
6
July
Voyage au cœur de l'été
The event, which takes place every July in the Espace Dewailly. The programming consists of live performances around world cultures, traditions, folklore and modernity.
11
Bal du 14 juillet
This ball takes place on the Place de l'hôtel de ville. It is followed by a fireworks display at the parc de la Hotoie [fr].
–
July to August
Un été à Amiens
This summer event, conducted by the city hall of Amiens, brings together four concepts spread across three sites in the city: "Amiens-les-Bains" (children) and "Beach Attitude" (adolescents) in the Parc Saint Pierre, "Zen Attitude" in Place Gambetta and "Sportez-vous bien" at Grand Marais.
2
August
Défi Jules Verne
This event, also known as "Montgolfiade", commemorates the first balloon flight (1873) of the most illustrious adopted son of Amiens: Jules Verne. Its uniqueness lies in the take-off of many balloons and unusual machines (between 20 and 30) from the Parc de la Hotoie [fr]. Music with readings of excerpts from novels by Jules Verne accompany their flight in the sky of the city. Subject to favourable weather conditions, this event takes place every month of August.
10
Bal de la libération
This festive event, which is held at the Place de l'hôtel de ville, celebrates the liberation of the city on 31 August 1944. It joins the various commemorations and tributes traditionally organised there on this day.
6
September
Fête au bord de l'eau
This traditional festival, organised by the association "Jacobins Traditions and history", plunges the historic neighborhood of Saint-Leu into a medieval atmosphere for two days with a market, medieval camp, trades of yesteryear, parades in the streets and on the water as well as other activities. It is on this occasion that the popular tournament of water jousting runs. Created in 1990, this free event takes place every second weekend of September and gathers an average of 80,000 visitors.
25
October
Grande réderie d'automne [fr]
The autumn edition of the Grande réderie d'Amiens [fr] is held every first Sunday in October.
–
Ô mon Cloître
Evolution of the Nuit Blanche (9 editions), this event is dedicated to the performing arts and visual arts and is held in the cloister of the grey nuns.
1
Festiv'Art
This festival, held since 2006 by the association of "Free radicals", allows regional, national and international artists to find themselves on the same stage for an evening which is followed by street arts and circus, theatre, concerts and graphic services.
8
November
Festival international du film d'Amiens [fr]
This international film festival ranks among the five largest film festivals in France. Created in 1980, it is held for nine days in November and records more than 60,000 entries each year.
35
Picardie Mouv
This festival of musiques actuelles [fr], organized by the Picardy regional Council, offers eclectic programming that mixes a collage of artists of international, national and local groups.
10
December
Christmas Market of Amiens
The largest Christmas market in the north of France, it attracts over one million visitors each year. The market consists of approximately 135 chalets in the city center and offers various animations (a Son et lumière show, Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs, Ferris wheel, ice rink, village of Santa Claus, parades, and carnival rides).
18
Amiens, la cathédrale en couleurs
Winter Edition of the Son et lumière show of the cathedral.
–
Multi-annual Events
Month
Event
Subject
Regularity
Last edition (Number)
March
Rencontres internationales Jules Verne
These meetings, organised by the Centre international Jules-Verne [fr], are held every two years since 1997.
Biannual
2015 (10)
Music[edit]
The Rabeats
Even if it rarely achieves national notoriety (with the notable exceptions of Les Fatals Picards, The Rabeats [fr], Olympe, Albin de la Simone, Disiz and Rokia Traoré), the Amiens music scene is active and developed. In this dynamic, the New French Rock [fr] scene holds a central place and is organised around a collective, Amiens Burning, which is responsible for networking the breeding ground for the local rock scene, to accompany its projects, and organize concerts.
Since their creation, La Lune des Pirates [fr] and Cité Carter also provide support to the local scene. For example, the Cité Carter produces a compilation each year, with local groups.
Highlights of the Amiens music scene:
Pop: Olympe, Nathaniel Isaac Smog, Ribo [fr]
Hip Hop/Rap: Disiz (born in Amiens), D.S.C. (Dirty South Crew), Lj Crackus
French singers: Albin de la Simone (born in Amiens), EmilieAnneCharlotte
World Music: Rokia Traoré (Malian-born singer who lived in Amiens in the 1990s)
Multiple genres: Les Fatals Picards, Zic Zazou (group of nine musicians created in 1982 and winner of La Grande Battle in November 2012)
Classical music is represented by the Orchestre de Picardie [fr] and the University Orchestra of Picardy. Vocal practice is represented by the Regional Choir of Picardy, the University Choir of Picardie, and the Choir of France Picardy.
One can also include the Harmony Saint-Pierre, a fanfare of 70 musicians, which has become a local institution since its inception in 1894.
The city has the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional d'Amiens [fr], seat of strong musical activity (framed by 70 teachers, an administrative and technical team with an additional 20 people).
Literature[edit]
Amiens saw rise, over the centuries, to major writers. In the first half of the 17th century, Vincent Voiture, poet and letter writer, was the darling of the Précieuses for the fluidity of his style. In 1634, he was member of the 1st Académie française. In 1678, Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange, nicknamed "the French Varro", published his Glossarium in 3 volumes. This glossary of medieval Latin is still authoritative today. In 1750, Jean Baptiste Gresset, a playwright and poet who was celebrated in his time and was a member of the Académie française, founded the Academy of Amiens [fr] which is still active today. He was named perpetual president.
In 1782, the Amiens native Choderlos de Laclos published Les Liaisons dangereuses where he staged a depraved nobility. Considered one of the masterpieces of 18th-century literature, the book has toured the world and is known as an Oscar-winning film adaptation.
Here I am quite citizen of Amiens. It seems to me that I was born. I live very happy, although uncomfortable to work. Amiens is a wise city, even-tempered, and the company is friendly and literate. It is near Paris, close enough to have the highlights without unbearable noise and bustle.— Jules Verne
In the 19th century, there was a brilliant literary life around the Académie des sciences, des lettres et des arts d'Amiens [fr] with historian Albéric de Calonne and the Yvert family. However, the great name of Amiens literary life is Jules Verne. He animated all intellectual activity, giving balls and parties, while his wife held a famous salon. He often attended the library of the industrial society, which subscribed to numerous scientific journals. A member of the Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts of Amiens from 8 March 1872, he was elected Director in 1875, and in 1881 and, on this occasion, he delivered several speeches of welcome, especially for one of his friends, Amiens cartoonist Gédéon Baril [fr], who signed illustrations of Dix heures en chasse [fr] with Hetzel. Engaged in local life, he was Councillor of Amiens from 1888 to 1904. He was closely interested in the affairs of the city, wrote many reports on the theatre and brought its support to the construction of the municipal circus [fr].
Amiens does appear explicitly in his novels but there are however characteristic elements of the city such as the cathedral and the river. This is the case, for example, for the imaginary city of Ragz in Le secret de Wilhem Storitz. In the novel Une fantaisie du docteur Ox, the inhabitants of the fictional town of Virgamen, the Virgamenois, refer directly to the Amiénois and their prudent nature.
In 1875, he delivered before the Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts of Amiens a speech entitled "An ideal city: Amiens in the year 2000" where he portrays himself wandering in a forward-thinking city of Amiens. Since then, the city has built a tourist route from this text.
He died in Amiens in 1905, and he deeply marked the town's footprint, so that today many places, monuments and events bear his name. He rests at La Madeleine cemetery [fr] where one can read on his tomb: Vers l'immortalité et l'éternelle jeunesse. [Towards immortality and eternal youth].
Such as it is with his distinctive smile, how much I love the Golden Virgin, with her smile of heavenly hostess; how much I love its home at the door of the Cathedral in its adornment exquisite and simple of hawthorns.— Marcel Proust (about the portal of the Virgin Golden of the Cathedral of Amiens)
In 1885, Englishman John Ruskin published the Bible of Amiens, which was translated into French, extensively annotated and prefaced, in 1904, by Marcel Proust. This book dedicated to Notre-Dame d'Amiens was the opportunity for Proust to recall his admiration for the English author and the Cathedral of Amiens.
I would like to give the reader the desire and the means to spend a day at Amiens in a sort of Ruskinesque pilgrimage. It was not worth starting by asking him to go to Florence or Venice, when Ruskin wrote a whole book on Amiens.— Marcel Proust
In the second half of the 19th century, Jules Barni [fr], Member of Parliament for the Somme [fr], Associate Professor of philosophy and brilliant scholar translated Kant's work in French and thus enabled its dissemination in France.
A native of Amiens, Paul Bourget published Le Disciple in 1889, a novel today considered his major work. He was elected, 5 years later, to the Académie française.
Born in Sainte-Anne district in 1885, Roland Dorgelès published Les Croix de bois [fr] in 1919. A masterpiece written from his notes taken at the Front, the novel won the Prix Femina the same year. Though capable of obtaining the Prix Goncourt, it was beaten by À l'ombre des jeunes filles en fleurs [fr] by Marcel Proust, 6 votes against 4. A member of the Académie Goncourt in 1929, he was elected president in 1954 until his death in 1973.
In 1926, the Amiens native Henri Deberly, won the Prix Goncourt with Le Supplice de Phèdre [fr], a novel inspired by his home city.
Cinema[edit]
Many films or scenes from films were shot in Amiens and its surroundings.
1946: Jéricho by Henri Calef with Nadine Alari, Pierre Brasseur and Jacques Charon
1959: Head Against the Wall, film of Georges Franju, with Pierre Brasseur and Jean-Pierre Mocky
1970: The Clowns of Federico Fellini around the Cirque Jules-Verne [fr]
1973: La Rose de Fer of Jean Rollin with Françoise Pascal, Hugues Quester and Nathalie Perrey
1976: La Saga des Français: La Rumeur, film of Michel Pamart and Marcel Trillat
1980: La femme enfant, film of Raphaële Billetdoux, with Klaus Kinski
1989: Roselyne and the Lions of Jean-Jacques Beineix, with Isabelle Pasco filmed around Cirque Jules-Verne
1991: Walking a Tightrope of Nico Papatakis, with Michel Piccoli also filmed around Cirque Jules-Verne
1994: Sister My Sister of Nancy Meckler with Julie Walters and Joely Richardson
1997: Arlette of Claude Zidi, with Josiane Balasko and Christopher Lambert
1999: Je suis né d'une cigogne, film of Tony Gatlif, with Romain Duris
2000: Elle et lui au 14e étage of Sophie Blondy [fr], with Guillaume Depardieu and Benoît Magimel
2000: Confort moderne [fr] of Dominique Choisy [fr]
2002: Carnage of Delphine Gleize
2002: Paris selon Moussa, film of Cheik Doukouré
2008: Paul Rondin est...Paul Rondin, short film of Frédéric Vin, with François Berland [fr]
2008: Blanche, short film of Eric Griffon du Bellay, with Romane Bohringer and Clémence Poésy
2008: Louise Hires a Contract Killer, film of Gustave Kervern and Benoît Delépine, with Yolande Moreau and Benoît Poelvoorde filmed around the Tour Bleue (before its destruction), in the Étouvie neighborhood.
2008: Française, film of Souad El-Bouhati [fr], with Hafsia Herzi
2009: Ricky of François Ozon with Alexandra Lamy
2010: Copacabana, film of Marc Fitoussi, with Isabelle Huppert
2012: Les Fraises des bois [fr], film of Dominique Choisy [fr]
2013: La Tête la première [fr], film of Amélie Van Elmbt
Comics[edit]
Amiens is a stronghold of comics in France. A whole generation of designers and Amiens writers make the city an important creative center of the 9th art. The main actors in this generation, include Régis Hautière [fr], Norédine Allam [fr] who notably led the recolouring of the 33 Asterix albums in the framework of the project "The great collection" and also Antoine Dodé [fr], David François [fr], Fraco, Hardoc [fr], Greg Blondin, and Nicolas Hitori De.
The city was also the birthplace or home of big names in the comic strip universe, such as the Amiens native Joseph Pinchon, creator of the character of Bécassine; Paul Gillon, winner of the Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême and also Philippe Thirault [fr].
Actor of this dynamic around the BD, the association On a marché sur la bulle [Explorers on the bubble] organises the Rendez-vous de la bande dessinée d'Amiens [fr], one of the greatest French comic book festivals. Active throughout the territory, the structure also manages a resource center and has an editorial department with the Éditions de la Gouttière [fr].
Regional culture[edit]
Main article: Picard language
Chés Cabotans d'Anmien or the Cabotins of Amiens is a small Picardy traditional puppet theatre founded in 1933. Lafleur, the hero, was created around 1811 at Saint-Leu [fr]. He talks in Picard, exclusively. Traditionally a lackey costume (wearing a red velvet tricorne hat) dressed, Lafleur is cheerful, dynamic, independent and resourceful; its motto is: "bin mier, bin boere, pis did rin foere!" (Drink well, eat well and then do nothing).
The Picard language is recognised regional language. It is spoken in France in the Picardy and Nord-Pas-de-Calais regions, and in Belgium in the Province of Hainaut. Various associations work for the promotion and development of Picardy culture expressed in theatre, song, in spoken tales but also in writing [fr], notably in novels, journals, and poetry. Since 1993, the Regional Council of Picardy has developed within the "Office Culturel Régional de Picardie" a cultural policy for the language and the Picardy culture. "The Agency for Picard", created in 2008, is headquartered in Amiens. Picard is taught at the University of Amiens.
The blasons populaires are surnames or the nicknames given to the inhabitants of cities and the Picardy villages. These surpitchets sometimes come from the history of the city, sometimes a verbal game, sometimes through a mockery of people. The nickname of the inhabitants of Amiens is: Chés Maqueus d'gueugues d'Anmien [Amiens nut eaters] in reference to an episode of the Spanish invasion. On 11 March 1597, the Spanish armies developed a ploy to seize the city: The soldiers of Hernán Tello de Portocarrero, Governor of Doullens, disguised as peasants, came to the gates of the walls with nuts. The starving citizens of Amiens opened the doors and the Spaniards took the city.
Gastronomic specialities[edit]
During December, the town hosts the largest Christmas market in northern France. Amiens, in the image of the Picardy region, has a rich gastronomic heritage. Here are some of the specialities:
Amiens is known for a few local foods, including "macarons d'Amiens", small, round-shaped biscuit-type macaroons made from almond paste, fruit and honey, which were first recorded in 1855; "tuiles amienoises" [fr], chocolate and orange curved "tuiles" or biscuits; Pâté de canard d'Amiens [fr] – duck pâté in pastry, made since the 17th century; and "la ficelle Picarde", an oven-baked cheese-topped crêpe with ham and mushroom filling, then topped with fresh cream flavoured with nutmeg, white pepper, and sprinkled with grated cheese before being browned in the oven. The region is also known for "flamiche aux poireaux", a puff pastry tart made with leeks and cream.
Other dishes include:
The soup of the hortillons: A spring-vegetable soup which originated in the hortillonnages.
The bisteu or bigalan: Potatoes, onions and bacon pie.
The Andouillette amiénoise [fr]: Pork dumpling mixed with a panade and onions.
Beignet d'Amiens [fr] so-called pets d'âne [donkey pets]: Small round doughnuts and fried fresh goat's cheese and beef marrow.
The Gâteau battu [fr]: Golden yellow brioche crumbs with an aerated texture. It is rich in eggs and butter.
The galopin: A French toast made from brioche bread cooked like a big pancake.
The Picardy rabotte: Apple wrapped and baked in a puff pastry.
The Dariole of Amiens: A popular pastry from the 18th century, topped with a cream with almonds.
Amiens barley sugar.
The Summer Rambo apple cultivar originated near Amiens in the 16th century.
Notable people[edit]
Statue of Peter the Hermit by Gédéon de Forceville [fr], near to the cathedral.
Jean-Baptiste Gresset
Choderlos de Laclos
Jules Verne
Olivier Blanchard
Jean-Pierre Pernaut and his wife
Laurent Delahousse in 2013
Emmanuel Macron in 2017
The minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem in June 2012
Magnentius (303–353), usurper of the imperial title 18 January 350 to 11 August 353
Godeberta (640–670), nun and abbess, patron saint of Noyon, France
Ansgar (801–865), known as Oscar or Ansgar, evangeliser of Scandinavia and patron saint of Denmark
Peter the Hermit (?–1115), preacher in the First Crusade.
André d'Ypres [fr], (before 1428–1450), painter and illuminator; La Crucifixion du Parlement de Paris [fr] is attributed to him
Simon Marmion (1425–1489), painter and illuminator
Michel de Vascosan [fr] (1500–1576), king's printer [fr] and the University of Paris, bookseller
Jean Bullant (1515–1578), architect notably of the Château d'Écouen
François Dubois (1529–1584), painter
Jean Riolan the Elder [fr] (1539–1605), physician, professor of anatomy and Dean of the Faculté de médecine de Paris [fr]
François de Louvencourt [fr] (1569–1638), writer, poet and historian
Nicolas Cornet (1592–1663), Catholic theologian who was one of the main opponents of Jansenism
Vincent Voiture (1597–1648), known as " le bel esprit " [the beautiful spirit], poet of Un Précieux and academic.
Nicolas Blasset [fr] (1600–1659), sculptor
Antoine de Cousu (beginning of the 17th–1658), music theorist and composer of church music
Charles du Fresne, sieur du Cange (1610–1688), historian and philologist.
Claude François, known in religion as Brother Luc, (1614–1685), painter
Jacques Rohault (1618–1672), physician and proselyte of Mechanism
Nicolas Barré (1621–1686), priest and founder of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus, beatified in 1999 by Pope John Paul II
Charles Aubert de La Chesnaye, (1632–1702), prominent businessman in New France
Charles Varlet known as La Grange, (1639–1692), comedian who belonged to Molière's company and was one of the most renowned
Charles Cressent (1685–1768), master cabinetmaker, main representative of Regency style
Jean-Baptiste Dupuis [fr] (1698–1790), sculptor
Jean-Baptiste Gresset (1709–1777), poet and dramatist, (author of Vert-Vert [fr] and Le Méchant), member of the Académie française.
Jean-Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval (1715–1789), officer and engineer who reformed the field artillery of the French army.
Père Féry (1716–1773), engineer of the château-d'eau
Joseph Dinouart (1716–1786), preacher, polemicist, compiler of sacred sciences and apologist for French feminism
Noël François de Wailly (1724–1801), grammarian and lexicographer.
Louis Antoine Vimeux [fr] (1737–1814), general of the Revolution and First Empire, Knight of the Royal order and military of Saint-Louis, Commander of the Légion d'honneur, hereditary baron, Governor of the Place de Luxembourg (from 1802 to 1814)
Jacques-Firmin Vimeux [fr] (1740–1728), sculptor in the Cathedral of Amiens
Choderlos de Laclos (1741–1803), writer, author of Les Liaisons dangereuses
Pierre Morand du Puch cadet [fr], (1742–1822), general of the armies of the Revolution, died in Amiens
Jean Baptiste Joseph Delambre (1749–1822), mathematician, astronomer, historian of astronomy, geodesist and author of the definition of the metre.
Charles Dallery [fr] (1754–1835), mechanical engineer, inventor of the steam engine to tubular boiler
Jacques-Polycarpe Morgan [fr] (1759–1843), general of the armies of the Republic and the Empire, born in Amiens and died at Chamarande (Essonne)
Charles Guillaume Alexandre Bourgeois (1759–1832), painter, engraver, physicist and chemist
Pierre Amable Jean-Baptiste Trannoy (1772–1833), botanist, physician and hygienist
François Marie Clément de La Roncière [fr] (1773–1854), general of the armies of the Republic and the Empire (name engraved under the Arc de Triomphe of the Star: 11th column)
Pierre-François-Marie-Auguste Dejean (1780–1847), general and entomologist
François-Alexandre Desprez [fr] (1778–1833), general of the armies of the Republic and the Empire
Charles Alexandre (1797–1870), hellenist and lexicographer
Gédéon de Forceville [fr] (1799–1886), sculptor
Pierre Thuillier, (1799–1859), landscape painter associated with the Barbizon school
Aimé and Louis Duthoit (1803–1869) & (1807–1874), sculptors who helped the restoration of the cathedral alongside Eugène Viollet-le-Duc which qualified them for this "last image of the Middle Ages"
Alphonse Sagebien (1807–1892), engineer, inventor of a type of water wheel, alderman from 1878 to 1888
Édouard Paris [fr] (1814–1874), translator in Picard of the Gospel of Matthew
Antoine Daveluy, (1818–1866), Catholic saint, missionary Bishop in Korea
Jules Barni [fr] (1818–1878), philosopher and politician, Member of Parliament for the Somme
Eugène Jolibois (1819–1896), politician
Pierre Puvis de Chavannes (1824–1898), painter, idealistic murals (Panthéon, Sorbonne).
Ferdinand Pouy (1824–1891), bibliographer died in Amiens
Albert Dauphin (1827–1898), politician, Minister of Finance in the Government of René Goblet [fr]
René Goblet (1828–1905), journalist and politician, head of the Government, President of the Council, Minister of) the Interior in the Second Government of Charles de Freycinet [fr], Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Government of Charles Floquet [fr]>
Jules Verne (1828–1905), city councillor from 1888 to his death, and before all a writer known to all; he rests in the Cemetery of La Madeleine [fr]
Charles Tellier (1828–1913), inventor of artificial refrigeration
Gédéon Baril [fr] (1832–1906), cartoonist
Frédéric Petit (1836–1895), Mayor of Amiens and Third Republic Senator of the Somme
Édouard Lucas (1842–1891), inventor of mathematical games and puzzles
Édouard Branly (1844–1940), physicist, inventor of the coherer, the first very sensitive detector of radio waves and physician. A high school as well as a lecture hall, one of the ESIEE, bear his name
Victorine Autier [fr] (1840–1874), heroic nurse of the War of 1870
Paul Bourget (1852–1935), writer and member of the Académie française.
Georges Picquart (1854-1914), general, Minister of War and French politician. He played a central role in the Dreyfus affair and provides evidence of the innocence of Alfred Dreyfus.
Louis Thuillier (1856–1883) physicist and biologist, born and studied at Amiens, buried in the cemetery of La Madeleine
Albert Roze (1861–1952), sculptor
Eugène Cosserat (1866–1931) mathematician and astronomer
Lucien Lecointe (1867–1940), politician
Mathilde Auguez (1858–1955), light soprano
Henri Ardel (1863-1938), writer
Victor Pauchet [fr] (1869–1936), surgeon; a clinic founded in 1896 and a square bear his name
Victor-Ferdinand Bourgeois (1870–1957), painter and illustrator.
Joseph Pinchon (1871–1953), cartoonist, creator of Bécassine
Auguste Sérieyx (1865–1949), musicologist, composer
Germaine Dulac (1882–1942), film director, film theorist
Henri Deberly (1882–1947), writer, winner of the Prix Goncourt in 1926
Clovis Brunel (1884–1971), philologist
Roland Dorgelès (1885–1973), writer
Clovis Trouille (1889–1975), painter
Alphonse Métérié (1887–1967), poet
Jean Catelas (1894–1941), member of Amiens in 1936, guillotined on 24 September 1941, under the regime of Philippe Pétain
Alfred Georges Regner (1902–1987), painter, engraver
Odette Hallowes (1912–1995), World War II heroine
Léon Lamotte [fr] (1912–2011), sculptor
François Spoerry (1912–1999), architect, originally behind the construction of the tower created by Auguste Perret in Amiens
Dolorès Vanetti (1912–2008), actress, poet
Madeleine Michelis (1913–1944), World War II resistant
Maurice Boitel 1919–2007, painter, lived at 65 Rue Richard de Fournival
Jeanne Joulain (1920–2010), classical organist
Florien Decodavaine (1920–1942), painter hermit, resistant during the World War II
Philippe Pinchemel (1923–2008), geographer
Roger Agache (1926–2011), archaeologist, pioneer of aerial archaeology
Pierre Garnier [fr], (1928–2014), poet, creator of spatialism [fr]
Jean-Jacques Perrey (1929–2016), electronic music performer, composer, and producer
Véronique Silver (1931–2010), actress
Michou (1931–2020), director of the Cabaret Michou in Paris
Jacques Darras (1939–), poet, essayist and translator
Sylvain Cambreling (1948–), conductor
Olivier Blanchard (1949–), Chief Economist at the International Monetary Fund, Professor at the MIT
Philippe Dessaint [fr] (1953–), journalist, former director of FR3 Picardie
Jean-Pierre Pernaut (1950–2022), journalist, television host
Bernard Devauchelle (1950–), professor of medicine
Geneviève Fioraso (1954–), Minister of Higher Education and Research in the Jean-Marc Ayrault Governments I and II, Secretary of State responsible for Higher Education and Research in the First and Second Valls Government
Ivar Ch'Vavar [fr] (1951–), creative poet of the L'Invention de la Picardie
Éric Carreel (1959–), engineer and entrepreneur
Frank Berton (1962–), lawyer
Liêm Hoang Ngoc (1964–), economist and politician
Anne Brochet (1966–), actress
Jeanne Savary [fr] (1966–), comedian
Éric Berger (1969–), actor
Philippe Leclerc (1969–), footballer
Pierre Notte [fr] (1969–), playwright, Director and former Secretary general of the Comédie-Française
Albin de la Simone (1970–), musician, singer-songwriter
Emmanuel Macron (1977–), President of France
Najat Vallaud-Belkacem (1977–), Minister of Women's Affairs and spokesperson for the Government in the Government of Jean-Marc Ayrault; grew up in Amiens and is a graduate of the University of Picardie
Disiz (1978–), rapper, writer and actor
Raphaël Poulain (1980–), actor and Rugby Union player
François-Henri Désérable (1987–), writer and ice hockey player
Olympe (1989–), singer
Sportspeople[edit]
Pierre Baruzy, (1897–1994), boxer and Savate coach; between 1922 and 1935, he was crowned 11 times as middleweight champion of France
Urbain Wallet, (1899–1973), footballer
Robert Marchand, (1911–), world record holder of the fastest centenarian cycling 100 km
Alfred Letourneur, (1907–1975), cyclist, world speed record holder on flat ground and behind shelter
Georges Vallerey, (1927–1954), swimmer, Olympic medalist
Pal Benko (1928–2019), chess grandmaster
Gisèle Vallerey, (1930–2010), swimmer
Bernard Quennehen, (1930–), cyclist
Michel Macquet, (1932–2002), javelin thrower
Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, (1945–), sailor, sailing single-handed world record holder
Pierre Mankowski, (1951–), football player and manager
Daniel Senet, (1953–), weightlifter, Olympic medalist
Chantal Langlacé, (1955–), long-distance runner, former holder of the world record for the marathon
Antoine Richer, (1961–), ice hockey player
François Farout [fr], (1963–), table tennis player, triple champion of France [fr] and European champion by team in 1984
Christophe Léotard (1966–), chess grandmaster
Étienne Thobois, (1967–), badminton player
Gérald Baticle, (1969–), football player and manager
Nicolas Chatelain, (1970–), table tennis player
Philippe Gaumont, (1973–2013), cyclist
Marie Collonvillé, (1973–), heptathlete
Éric Chaulvet, (1974–), basketball player
Franck Perque, (1974–), cyclist, double world track cycling champion
Amélie Cocheteux, (1978–), tennis player
Mathieu Mille, (1981–), ice hockey player
Julie Coin, (1982–), tennis player
Cédric Ouattara, (1983–), footballer
Yannick Salem, (1983–), footballer
Kévin Hecquefeuille, (1984–), ice hockey player
Lucie Louette Kanning, (1985–), judoka
Thomas Roussel, (1985–), ice hockey player
Brian Henderson, (1986–), ice hockey player
Caroline Loir, (1988–), canoeist
Pierre Soudry [fr], (1988–), handballer
Jérémy Stravius, (1988–), swimmer, Olympic champion
Greg Houla, (1988–), footballer
Yohan M'Vila, (1988–), footballer
Dorian N'Goma, (1988–), footballer
Grégory Beron, (1989–), ice hockey player
Princesse Goubo, (1991–), basketball player
Yann M'Vila, (1990–), footballer
Rudy Gobert, (1992–), basketball player
Clément Chevrier, (1992–), cyclist
Mélanie Henique, (1992), butterfly swimmer
Corentin Ermenault, (1996–), cyclist
Linked to the city[edit]
Saint Martin (died 397), Roman soldier, shared his coat with a beggar in Amiens in a gesture which has been remembered
Saint Honoré (died ca.600), Bishop of Amiens and Patron Saint of bakers
Lafleur, hero and main character of puppet Amiens "Chés cabotans".
Jean-Marie Roland de La Platière (1734–1793), Economist and statesman, lived in Amiens and was Inspector of factories in the city.
Antoine Parmentier, (1737–1813), military pharmacist, agronomist, nutritionist and hygienist. Member of the Academy of sciences of Amiens, he popularized the consumption of potatoes
Jacques Delille or Abbé Delille, (1738–1813), poet and translator, a member of the French Academy, was a professor at the college of Amiens
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744–1829), naturalist who laid the foundations of the theory of the evolution of species.
Jean-Baptiste Cousin de Grainville, (1746–1805), philosopher, poet, priest in Amiens and pioneer of fantasy literature
Madame Roland (1754–1793), figure of the French Revolution, face of the Girondist party, lived in Amiens
Marguerite Georges, (1787–1867), famous actress, lived at Amiens and began her career there
Camille Léon de Chassepot de Beaumont [fr], (1808–1893), colonel in the National Guard who, under his command, distinguished himself on 17 November 1870
Jules Lefebvre, (1836–1911), painter, student of the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts of Amiens
Jón Sveinsson, (1857–1944), Icelandic priest and author of popular children's books, studied and did his novitiate in Amiens
Marie Denizard (1872-1959), in January 1913, the first woman to stand as a candidate in a French presidential election. Lived in Amiens as an adult
Auguste Perret, (1874–1954), architect, creator of the Tour Perret
Jean Moulin (1899–1943), prefect and resistant, was Secretary general of the prefecture of Somme
Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque (1902–1947), Marshal of France, began his studies at the college of the Providence
Alfred Manessier, (1911–1993), painter, pupil of the École des beaux-arts of Amiens
Robert Mallet, (1915–2002), civil servant, writer and man of French radio, founder and Rector of the Academy of Amiens [fr]
Jacques Le Goff, (1924–2014), medievalist historian, he taught at the Lycée Louis-Thuillier [fr]
Alain Bombard, (1924–2005), medical biologist and navigator, lived in Amiens for twenty years
André Crépin (1928–2013), essayist, linguist and medievalist, Member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres, lived in Amiens
Gilbert Richard [fr], (1928–), television producer and host on the first television channel (1960–1992)
Vladimir Volkoff, (1932–2005), writer, lived in Amiens
Stéphane Le Foll, (1960–), politician, Minister of agriculture in Jean-Marc Ayrault I and II, Manuel Valls I and II Governments, graduated from the agricultural college of Amiens Le Paraclet
Grégoire Delacourt, (1960–), writer, had part of his studies at the school of Providence in Amiens
Catherine Fleury-Vachon, (1966–), judoka, Olympic champion; head of the "pôle Espoirs" of Amiens un 1998–2005
Frédéric Cuvillier, (1968–), politician, Deputy Minister of transport and maritime economy in Jean-Marc Ayrault I and II, Manuel Valls I Governments, graduated in law at the University of Picardy
Laurent Delahousse (1969–), journalist and television presenter, grew up in Amiens
Pascale Boistard, (1971–), politician, Secretary of State for the rights of women in the Second Valls Government, Member of Parliament for Somme's 1st constituency (Northern Amiens)
Benjamin Biolay, (1973–), singer-songwriter, lived in Amiens
Miss Kittin, (1973–), DJ, studied in Amiens
Élodie Gossuin-Lacherie, (1980–), television presenter, radio host, Miss France and Miss Europe 2001, registered at the Picardy regional Council since 2004.
Nicolas Duvauchelle, (1980–), actor and model, has lived in Amiens
Édouard Louis, (1992–), writer and academic, studied at the Lycée Madeleine Michelis and the University of Picardy
Heraldry, logo and motto[edit]
Arms of Amiens
The arms of Amiens are blazoned :"Of gules to ivy of argent, the chief azure sown of fleurs-de-lis Or."Motto: "Liliis tenaci vimine jungor", which means 'a strong bond unites the lilies'.Amiens, a fortress city, suffered attacks and resisted, staying French. Its coat of arms symbolise this attachment to France, commitment symbolised by ivy. France being symbolised by the seedlings of fleurs-de-lis authorised by the Kings of France.
In the full arms of the city, holding and support are two unicorns, support is of acanthus leaves, while the crest is a castle keep of five parts. The two figures emblazoned in the arms of Amiens are lily and ivy, which today still decorate the city logo. The unicorn is a symbol of the knightly virtues of purity and attraction to beauty and delicacy. Even today, the unicorn makes a number of references in the city: The eponymous stadium, the coat of arms of the Amiens football team as well as the award of the Amiens International Film Festival.
Logo of the city of Amiens
In 1991, the municipality formed around Gilles de Robien designed a new logo, incorporating the Fleur-de-lis and the Ivy leaf present on the coat of arms, placed side by side in red with a background of grey or white, depending on usage.
A stamp representing the arms of the city was issued in 1962, this issue fitted into one of the Arms of cities. Its power of postage was five cents. It was issued on 23 January 1962 and withdrawn from sale on 23 January 1977. A first day was arranged in Amiens on 21 July 1962. It was designed by Robert Louis [fr]. Artist Arman made a board collage of this stamp.
