East of the centre of Amiens, the Hortillonnages, Amiens' floating gardens, form a maze of garden plots and canals covering about 300 hectares. We went twice at the end of summer 2026: by boat one August evening, as the sun was going down, then on foot at the end of September, along the towpath that follows the Somme. Two ways of seeing the same place, without leaving the city.
- Where
- Amiens, France
- When
- Visited in August 2026
- On the programme
- 3 stops
Gardens on the water, on the city's doorstep
The Hortillonnages are around 300 hectares of small islands, known locally as 'aires', separated by 65 kilometres of canals, the 'rieux'. For centuries, the hortillons (market gardeners) grew their vegetables here and carried them in a barque à cornet, a flat-bottomed boat whose raised ends let it pull up to the bank without damaging it.
Today you'll still find gardens, little huts and plenty of greenery, a few minutes from the city centre.
By boat, one August evening
- Place
- Barques des Hortillonnages – Le Jardin des Vertueux, 472 chaussée Jules-Ferry · Open in Maps
On 23 August, we set off on the water at around 19:00, as the sun was starting to go down, with Barques des Hortillonnages. The boats leave from the Jardin des Vertueux, a 2.8-hectare garden in the heart of the Hortillonnages, restored by volunteers. The tour is in an electric boat, with a guide, six passengers per boat.
We crossed a large stretch of water where swans glide, then slipped into narrower, tree-lined channels, until we passed under a bridge. At that time of day, the low sun is reflected on the water.
Depending on the option, the tour lasts from 50 minutes to 2 hr 15 min. Other options are available elsewhere in the Hortillonnages: the association's traditional boat, which has been taking visitors round the site since 1982, or an electric boat you hire and steer yourself. The season runs from 1 April to 31 October.
On foot, along the towpath
- Place
- Chemin de halage de la Somme (Somme towpath) · Open in Maps
At the end of September, we came back on foot, along the towpath that follows the Somme. It's a tarmac path by the water, shared with cyclists. Looking towards the city, you can see the cathedral spire rising above the trees.
The walk is free and possible all year round, even once the boat season is over.
There are two ways to discover the Hortillonnages: on the water, from April to October, by boat with a guide or on your own, and on foot all year round along the towpath. We did both, a month apart. And since everything is close to the centre, it is easy to combine with the cathedral and, on summer evenings, with the Chroma show.
Our tips before you go
- Boat season: from 1 April to 31 October.
- With Barques des Hortillonnages (Jardin des Vertueux): an electric boat with a guide, from 50 minutes to 2 hr 15 min depending on the option.
- In summer, go late in the day: that is the time we chose, with the low sun on the water.
- On foot: the towpath is free and open all year round.
- Combine it with the cathedral and, on summer evenings, with the Chroma show.
