Amiens is a city on the Somme and the administrative center of the Picardy region. It is known primarily from the UNESCO-listed, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in France.
The beginnings of the city date back to the 12th century, and in the Middle Ages it was an important center for the production of cloth. The importance of the center was emphasized by the huge cathedral erected in the years 1220-1270. The cathedral in Amiens is now one of the most important and largest Gothic churches in France. It is surrounded by old town houses from various periods. In addition to the cathedral, the Watch Tower in Amiens stands out in its buildings. In the northern part of the city, the medieval quarter of Saint-Leu is preserved in very good condition, with several Gothic churches and numerous canals and bridges, thanks to which it is called Little Venice.
In the history of Europe, Amiens went down in 1802, when the truce between Napoleon and England was concluded, and during World War I, when heavy fighting was fought here on the Somme River. In turn, at the end of the 19th century, Juliusz Verne lived in the city. Today, in the house he occupied in the years 1882-1900, there is a museum with writer's souvenirs.
Away from the center of Amiens is the Parc de la Hotoie with a small Zoo. It mainly presents animals from Africa and Asia.
