THE HORTILLONNAGES
In the heart of Amiens, you can visit this unique site aboard a "barque à cornet".
Here is a little piece of paradise in the middle of the city. A place where time stands still, and from which one would not want to leave. The hortillonnages, or "floating gardens", criss-crossed by the Somme and the Avre, have existed since Gallo-Roman times. But it was only in the Middle Ages that they really started to be exploited. Today, they cover nearly 300 hectares. The visit of this unique place is done on board of a "barque à cornet", traditional boat of the hortillonnages and recognizable by its raised front which allows to dock easily. The guide, who manoeuvres his boat in the manner of a gondolier, with the help of a small electric motor, comments on the landscape and takes the time to make you aware of the fauna and flora of the site. A walk that will enchant you! Since 2017, you can complete this visit with the museum dedicated to this unique site in Rivery. Don't hesitate to take a walk along the towpath, which runs alongside the Somme, to get another glimpse of daily life in the hortillonnages. This is a very popular walk for local families in all seasons, and guarantees a very pleasant breath of fresh air, whether on foot or by bike. Just be careful not to miss your bridge on the way back.
Tip: we recommend a visit on foot or by boat between June and October, during the Hortillonnages Amiens International Garden Festival, which brings contemporary art to the canals.
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