Notre Dame d’Amiens is stunning from every vantage point
Huge, bright spaces in the cathedral
Soaring windows in the cathedral
Looming above everything in Amiens is the world’s largest medieval structure, the stunning Cathedral of Notre-Dame d’Amiens. Built between 1220 and 1270 (a relatively short time span for a work of its ambition), the cathedral is an exceptionally unified version of High Gothic style. Aiming to maximize light, its builders reached far to the heavens. Its exceptional height combines with other dimensions to create a total interior volume of 260,000 cubic yards, twice that of Notre Dame in Paris.
Amiens is the historic capital of Picardy in Northern France, and sits on the lovely Somme river. Since medieval times, a huge network of canals and waterways has extended the reach of the Somme to support market gardens growing food and flowers, as well as thousands of private gardens. We thoroughly enjoyed renting bikes, riding along the river out of town, and seeing the little waterways snaking out in every direction, surrounded by lush gardens.
It is also worth noting that Amiens is the birthplace of President Emmanuel Macron, and was the home of the writer Jules Verne for the final 34 years of his life. It’s also home to 30,000 students from the University of Picardy, giving its street and squares a youthful and lively air. And it all takes place underneath the ever present towers of the cathedral.
From here we will pick up a car and head west, making a couple brief stops in Normandy. Then we’ll reach Brittany, which we will explore for 2 weeks.
We loved biking and walking the lush paths along the Somme and its canals
Dining spots along the Somme
We got our fist glimpse of the cathedral when we stepped onto the huge terrace of our otherwise very modest hotel room
The cathedral looms over the vibrant St. Leu neighborhood
Experiencing a bit of the St. Leu nightlife scene
Charming side streets in St. Leu
Out and about in St. Leu
Place Gambetta, a gathering place at the center of Amiens
Jim felt super at home in this giant pink chair on our terrace