Amiens is probably not top of your French wish list. However, this charming small city still has attractions which make it an appealing overnight stop-off on the way down to Brittany or the south of France. Please don’t just stop at a budget hotel on the outskirts then charge off straight after breakfast. Amiens should be part of your France experience, you won’t regret it. Read on to find out how to make the most of an overnight stay in Amiens with your kids.
Light show on the Cathedral during your overnight stay in Amiens
If you are visiting during the summer months, broadly mid July to late September, check out the sound and light display on the Cathedral. Alternatively, there is also a show in December during the Christmas markets.
High quality digital images are projected on the façade and bring to life its saints, apostles and other figures.
The show lasts around 20-30 minutes and is free to watch, just grab a spot in the square. There’s no great benefit in arriving early for a spot at the front as you can see just as well from further back. In 2025, the show will be at 10.30pm in July, 10pm in August and 9.45pm in September.
You can find out more on the Amiens tourism website.
Riverside dining on your overnight stay in Amiens
Ahead of the sound and light show on the Cathedral, I would recommend dinner and drinks at one of the many restaurants and bars on the banks of the River Leu. Situated in the Saint Leu area, you are just a few minutes walk from the Cathedral.
These restaurants are, inevitably, quite touristy. However, the food is still reasonable and the ambiance is great along the waterside. There is often live music outside one of the bars and locals and tourists stroll along the riverbank with ice-creams. If you are just in Amiens overnight, I would recommend eating here. If you have a second night, you might want to head off into the narrow side streets to find a hidden gem.
I don’t have a particular restaurant to recommend here. I would just wander along and pick one you like the look of with a nice table by the water. Just make sure you keep all 4 chair legs on the bank!
Water splash!
For younger kids or adults with hot, tired feet, there are mini water jet fountains along some of the streets in the City Centre. My boys had their shoes off as soon as they spotted them. I was a bit unsure if we were meant to paddle and the locals would be looking at us scathingly. It wasn’t long however until a number of French kids and their parents joined us in splashing along. Be warned though, our kids got wet enough to need to go back to the hotel for a full change afterwards!
Boat trip through the floating market gardens (Les Hortillonages)
The most unique attraction in Amiens and a reason in itself to visit.
Just a 10 minute walk from the Cathedral brings you to Les Hortillonages, a series of floating market gardens linked by narrow but navigable canals. Located in the marshy former bed of the river Somme, these gardens have existed for hundreds of years. Nowadays, more than a thousand people own their own floating green space. Many use their plots as market gardens whilst others simply use them for fishing, camping, or relaxing in nature.
To properly appreciate the floating gardens, you need to book one of the guided boat tours. Narrow electric boats take visitors through the labyrinth of canals. Guides point out interesting plots, tell stories of the history of the place and its people, and help you spot the local wildlife.
I’ve done the boat trip twice. The first trip, many years ago, with my husband as we were driving down to Nice. “Grow your Own” is a big thing for us and we loved our visit.
My boys both love nature so I couldn’t wait to bring them here. Sadly, this is one of those occasions where the reality falls short of the expectation. My younger son, then aged 7, was in a foul mood, following an argument on the bank about the need to wear a life jacket. He refused to look at anything and sat in the middle of the boat with his eyes fixed determinedly on the floor. Hence the lack of photos as he wasn’t going to pose!
Preparing for your visit to Les Hortillonages
It is definitely worth booking your boat tour in advance through the official website. If you are visiting in summer, make sure you have sun cream, hats and plenty of water. Facilities at the pier are limited so it is best to come prepared.
Other attractions
If we do another overnight stay in Amiens, I would like to check out Jules Verne’s House and Amiens Zoo (walkable from the centre). If I had more time, I would also take a trip to Naours (around 20km from Amiens).
Link back to our main France page to read more posts about destinations in France after your overnight stay in Amiens.
