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Les Hortillonnages: Amiens' Floating Gardens

Discover Amiens' enchanting floating gardens: a historic network of canals, cultivated islands, and tranquil beauty just outside the city center.

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Explore the Hortillonnages of Amiens, a unique network of floating gardens cultivated since the Middle Ages. Wander through a maze of canals on traditional boats, discovering a tranquil oasis just steps from the city center. These gardens offer a glimpse into a centuries-old market gardening tradition.

A brief summary to Les Hortillonnages : visites guidées en barque à cornet traditionnelle

Local tips

  • Visit the Saturday morning water market in the Saint-Leu district to buy fresh produce directly from the 'hortillons'.
  • Take a guided boat tour for an immersive experience and to learn about the history and ecology of the Hortillonnages.
  • Consider visiting during the International Garden Festival (May-October) to see contemporary art installations integrated into the gardens.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking along the towpaths and bring insect repellent, especially in the evening.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Amiens Cathedral, walk southwest on Rue de la République, then turn right onto Boulevard de Beauvillé. Continue for about 1.5 km (approximately 20 minutes). The Maison des Hortillonnages, where tours depart, will be on your left.

  • Public Transport

    From Gare d'Amiens (main train station), take Bus Line 1 or Line 2 towards Place Gambetta. Get off at the Beauvillé stop, a short walk from Les Hortillonnages. A single ticket costs €1.40 and is valid for 1 hour. Alternatively, a 24-hour ticket costs €4.60.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    From Gare d'Amiens, a taxi or ride-share to Les Hortillonnages (54 Bd de Beauvillé) typically costs between €8 and €12, depending on traffic.

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Discover more about Les Hortillonnages : visites guidées en barque à cornet traditionnelle

Les Hortillonnages d'Amiens, a remarkable 300-hectare network of floating gardens, represents a living tapestry of water and land. Cultivated since the Middle Ages, these gardens, whose name derives from the Latin 'hortus' meaning garden, offer a serene escape from the bustling city. The site is composed of small cultivated islands, known as 'aires,' interlaced by 65 kilometers of narrow canals called 'rieux'. For centuries, market gardeners, called 'hortillons,' have cultivated these plots, using traditional techniques to grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Produce was historically transported to market by boat, a practice that continues to this day. While only a handful of 'hortillons' still actively cultivate the land, their legacy remains palpable. Visitors can witness this tradition firsthand at the Saturday morning water market in the Saint-Leu district, where local gardeners sell their fresh goods directly from their boats. Today, the Hortillonnages serve as both a working agricultural landscape and a tranquil retreat. Many of the plots have been transformed into pleasure gardens, offering a mix of cultivated beauty and natural wilderness. Boat tours provide an intimate perspective on this unique environment, gliding past colorful gardens, charming huts, and diverse wildlife. The Association Pour la Protection et la Sauvegarde du Site et de l'Environment des Hortillonnages is dedicated to protecting and preserving the area. The Hortillonnages also host the International Garden Festival, an annual event from May to October that showcases contemporary art installations and landscape designs. These artistic creations blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, creating a unique open-air museum. Whether exploring by boat, on foot, or by bike, the Hortillonnages offer a captivating journey through history, nature, and art.

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