Amiens Gardens Float

A Living Legacy of Nature, Tradition and Tranquility

"The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies"- Gertrude Jekyll

---

Today’s Newsletter Presented By

---

The floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages, Amiens, France which consist of small cultivated islands located in the marshy terrain of bed of the River Somme. Only accessible by boat or footbridge - Shutterstock

---

In today’s email:

• Amiens Gardens Float

• Experience: - Hop on and off in Paris

• Around The Web: A Legacy of Sweetness Since 1872, Timeless Wonder of Notre Dame Amiens; A Riviera Affair and more

• 🌟 New: Travel Quizzer is Here!

• From Social Media: Cannes, located on the French Riviera

• Mange: Deliciously Simple One Pot Braised Chicken in Mustard Sauce with white Wine

• Xtra: Les Hortillonnages Amiens

---

Amiens Gardens Float

At the edge of Amiens and the Saint-Leu quarter lies the Hortillonnages, a stunning mosaic of floating gardens unique in France. Shaped over centuries by market gardeners called hortillons, this 300-hectare network of tiny islets is crisscrossed by narrow waterways, accessible only by boat. Set on the marshy remains of the River Somme's old bed, the name stems from the Latin hortus, meaning garden. Once a vital source of fruit, vegetables and peat for Amiens, the Hortillonnages now blend heritage with leisure, offering peaceful green spaces for fishing, gardening, and wildlife spotting. Though only around 10% is still farmed, a dozen families continue the horticultural tradition. Every Saturday, they sell their fresh produce at Place Parmentier in the Saint-Leu quarter, preserving the spirit of this tranquil, water-bound oasis

The floating gardens of Les Hortillonnages, Amiens, France - Shutterstock

Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

Make sightseeing in the French capital easy with a Big Bus tour of Paris. Enjoy the convenience of hop-on hop-off access at any stop along the route, and soak in the views from an open-top, double-decker bus. See sights like the Louvre Museum, Moulin Rouge cabaret club, and the iconic Eiffel Tower as you listen to informative audio-commentary, available in various languages.

Read more about Big Bus Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise -

---

Around The Web

A Legacy of Sweetness Since 1872

Five generations of the Trogneux family have handcrafted iconic macarons and fine chocolates in Amiens, keeping tradition alive with a modern twist. Famed for the original Macaron d’Amiens, their artisan treats are now loved across northern France

Timeless Wonder of Notre Dame Amiens

A UNESCO-listed masterpiece, Notre-Dame d’Amiens is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with soaring vaults, intricate sculptures, and 800 years of history.
Free to visit year-round, it also offers tower views, a stunning treasury, and colourful light shows

Hidden World Beneath Naours

Discover hand-dug tunnels and 300 rooms in Naours’ Underground City, once a medieval refuge and later forgotten until 1887. Explore with an audio guide, see ancient crafts, and learn wartime stories at the Silent Soldiers centre

Lochnagar Crater Remembrance Site

Formed by a massive mine in 1916, the Lochnagar Crater marks the start of the Battle of the Somme. Today, it stands as a place of remembrance, peace, and conservation with annual ceremonies in July and November

Somme and Great War Museums

Explore life-size trench scenes at the Somme 1916 Museum in Albert and discover frontline and civilian experiences at the Historial in Péronne. Both museums offer powerful insights into World War I through immersive exhibits and artefacts

A Riviera Affair

The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, has long been one of Europe’s most glamorous and culturally rich destinations. Stretching from the red cliffs of Théoule-sur-Mer to the Italian border near Menton, this sun-drenched coastline has been a favourite escape since the 19th century, when European aristocrats came for the mild winters and sea air. Over time, it drew artists like Matisse and Picasso, then film stars, designers, and travellers in search of Riviera elegance. Today, its mix of sparkling blue water, palm-lined promenades, and charming old towns keeps the magic alive.

But the Riviera offers more than luxury. The region is steeped in history, from Roman ruins to medieval villages high above the sea. Towns like Nice and Antibes pulse with art, music, and Provençal life. Along the coast, you'll find peaceful coves, vibrant markets, cliffside trails, and world-class museums. This seven-day itinerary blends popular icons with hidden corners, revealing why the Côte d’Azur continues to inspire all who visit—whether you're sipping wine by the harbour or wandering cobbled lanes with the scent of jasmine in the air

Sand beach beneath the colourful old town Menton on french Riviera, France - Shutterstock

---

🌟 New: Travel Quizzer is Here!

Are you ready to prove your travel smarts? Don’t miss the chance to play the hottest new trivia game for travel lovers!

Here’s a taste: Where is the famous Kylemore Abbey located?

Think you know? Don’t wait—thousands of trivia buffs are already hooked. Play Travel Quizzer now!

From Social Media

Cannes, located on the French Riviera, is a glamorous coastal city renowned for its world-famous film festival, the Cannes Film Festival, which attracts celebrities and filmmakers from around the globe every May

Mange

Deliciously Simple One Pot Braised Chicken in Mustard Sauce with white Wine

Xtra

Les Hortillonnages Amiens

Thank you for reading Love to Visit France— your support allows us to keep doing this work.

If you enjoy Love to Visit France, it would mean the world to us if you invited friends to subscribe and read with us. If you refer friends, you will receive benefits that give you special access to Love to Visit France.