Culture of Amiens. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens or the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens is an unchanging symbol of Amiens. This stunning Gothic cathedral is a historic attraction of international level and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amiens Cathedral is one of a few old shrines that have miraculously survived during the war years. The construction of the Gothic cathedral started in 1220 and lasted almost 70 years. The building is impressive both inside and outside. The cathedral is very large – its total area is 7,700 square meters.

Over 700 fabulous sculptures decorate the façade of the church. The cathedral’s inner décor also has many precious artistic elements. You will see the skillful 16th-century woodwork in the main hall. Fantastic stained-glass windows deserve a separate mention. The old church exhibits many old and precious religious artifacts. Centuries ago, the richest and most famous residents of Amiens were buried in the territory of the cathedral. It is easy to spend several hours admiring the design of the gorgeous cathedral. Moreover, more than 3,000 wooden and stone sculptures decorate its inner halls.

You will find many interesting landmarks in the historic neighborhood of Henriville. The majority of buildings here date back to the 19th century. Over a century ago, the most respectable representatives of the local bourgeoisie were building their homes in this part of the city. You can see houses of the most incredible architectural styles here. Every owner tried to make their house unique. Villas in neogothic and neoclassical styles deserve particular attention. Even a century later, they are still in great condition. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The house of Jules Verne is located in this historic quarter. Today, tourists can visit this house and see the exhibition of Centre de Documentation Jules Verne, a thematic museum that is open here. This museum is completely dedicated to the life and works of the famous writer. Among the exhibited items, you can see old manuscripts, written notes, and other personal items of Verne. Centre de Documentation Jules Verne also exhibits an interesting collection of old photographs. You can see beautiful old furniture, vintage tableware, and gorgeous artworks here. The house, which belonged to the famous writer, is a unique architectural landmark. It has a small tower that makes the house look like an old castle.

If you like exploring picturesque historical places, do not miss an opportunity to visit Saint Acheul. Many years ago, a unique archaeological site was discovered here. It took scientists many years to explore the area. As they managed to find out, there was a large ancient city on this site thousands of years ago. The excavations area was covered with a glass roof and turned into a landmark open for tourists.

Amiens is rich in interesting museums and galleries. Consider visiting Musee de Picardie that is open in a gorgeous building. You can see the most precious archaeological findings discovered during the excavations in the region in this museum. A large part of the exhibited artifacts belongs to the medieval period. Musee de Picardie is famous for its rich collection of art. Visitors can see works of the most famous French artists of the 18th century here. Pay a closer look at the collection of old ceramics that is also exhibited here.

Atelier de Claude Barre is a wonderful cultural center that certainly deserves a visit. It is open in an old building that once was the workshop of Claude Barre – a famous master who specialized in making stained-glass windows. The workshop was thoroughly restored and now features a collection of old stained-glass windows of different years. Some colorful stained-glass windows are really old and were made yet in the 13th century. Atelier de Claude Barre offers interesting excursions for visitors, so even children will not be bored here.

The Church of Saint-Leu is also present in the list of the most interesting attractions in Amiens. This church is open in the namesake historic quarter. The charming church is often recognized as the oldest in the city. The first shrine on the site of the modern church appeared more than a thousand years ago. The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times. The building that we can see today dates back to the 15th century. The Church of Saint-Leu is a wonderful example of the late Gothic style. Today, the shrine exhibits many ancient artifacts and precious artworks.

You can find architectural landmarks of later periods in Amiens. For example, Tour Perret is a 104-meter skyscraper that was completed in 1952. This is one of the oldest skyscrapers in Europe. Today, the high-rise building looks exactly the same as after the building works. Amiens is one of the most comfortable French cities for strolling and excursions.