Amiens

Amiens
Name	Amiens
Caption	The Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Coordinates	49, 53, 31, N...
Arrondissement	Amiens
Insee	80021
Postal code	80000
Mayor	Brigitte Fouré
Term	2020–2026
Party	UDI
Elevation m	33
Elevation min m	14
Elevation max m	106
Area km2	49.46
Population	134,706
Population date	2021

Amiens. A major city in northern France, Amiens is the prefecture of the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region. Strategically situated on the Somme River, it is historically renowned as a textile center and for its magnificent Gothic architecture, most notably its towering cathedral. The city is a hub for administration, commerce, and education, hosting the University of Picardy Jules Verne and serving as the birthplace of famed author Jules Verne.

History

The site, originally a Gallic settlement known as Samarobriva, became an important Roman crossroads. In the 4th century, Saint Firmin, the first Bishop of Amiens, established the Diocese of Amiens, cementing its religious significance. The city flourished in the Middle Ages due to the waide (woad) trade, wealth that financed the construction of the Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens beginning in 1220. It endured significant strife during the Hundred Years' War and the French Wars of Religion. The Treaty of Amiens (1802) provided a brief peace between the United Kingdom and Napoleonic France. Heavily impacted during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, it served as a key logistics base for the British Empire. In World War II, it was occupied by the Wehrmacht and later bombed during Operation Jericho, a raid on the Amiens prison.

Geography

Amiens is located in the fertile region of Picardy, approximately 120 kilometers north of Paris. The city is bisected by the Somme River and its characteristic network of canals and floating gardens known as the hortillonnages. This unique marshland area, crisscrossed by small channels, has been cultivated for centuries. The terrain is generally flat, part of the Paris Basin, with the city center built on slightly higher ground. Its strategic position on the river and historical routes between Paris, Flanders, and the English Channel coast has long defined its importance.

Main sights

The UNESCO-listed Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens is the largest Gothic cathedral in France by volume, famed for its intricate façade and Labours of the Months sculptures. The nearby Belfry of Amiens is another UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France. The Musée de Picardie houses extensive archaeological and fine art collections. The Maison de Jules Verne is a museum dedicated to the author, who wrote many of his Voyages extraordinaires here. The Tour Perret, a early modernist residential tower, overlooks the Gare d'Amiens. The Church of Saint-Leu and the Circus of Amiens are other notable landmarks in the Saint-Leu district.

Economy

Historically dominated by the textile industry, particularly velvet and corduroy production, Amiens has diversified. Today, it is a major administrative and commercial center for the region. Key sectors include pharmaceuticals, with companies like UCB, logistics, and agro-food industries. The presence of the University of Picardy Jules Verne and several research institutes fosters innovation. The city is also a retail hub, anchored by the Amiens 2 shopping center. Traditional horticulture continues in the hortillonnages, supplying local markets.

Culture

Amiens has a vibrant cultural scene, heavily influenced by its native son Jules Verne. The city hosts the annual International Film Festival of Amiens and the Amiens Jazz Festival. The Maison de la Culture d'Amiens, designed by Auguste Perret, is a major venue for performing arts. The Zénith d'Amiens is a large concert arena. Culinary specialties include ficelle picarde (a ham and mushroom crêpe) and macarons d'Amiens, a almond-based biscuit distinct from its Parisian namesake. The Amiens SC football club plays at the Stade de la Licorne.

Transport

Amiens is served by the Gare d'Amiens, a railway station with direct TER Hauts-de-France services to Paris-Nord, Lille, and Rouen. The A16 autoroute and A29 autoroute connect the city to the national motorway network. Local public transport is operated by Ametis, which runs an extensive bus network. The city is approximately an hour's drive from the Channel Tunnel and the ports of Calais and Dunkerque. For air travel, the city is served by the Amiens – Glisy Aerodrome for general aviation, with the nearest major international airports being Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Lille Airport.

Category:Communes of Somme (department) Category:Prefectures in France Category:Cities in Hauts-de-France