From Gare du Nord, it takes just over an hour by train to reach Amiens. And just a few minutes’ walk from the station, the majestic Notre-Dame of Amiens quickly gives you a good reason for making the trip. With an interior volume of nearly 200,000 m³, it is considered the largest cathedral in France. Its volume is even about twice that of Notre-Dame de Paris.
The nave rises to a height of 42.30 meters under the vault, in a building 145 meters long. Despite these dimensions, the main construction was completed in less than 70 years—a remarkably short time for a medieval construction project of this scale. Begun in 1220 after the previous Romanesque cathedral burned down, Notre-Dame d’Amiens was nearly complete by the end of the 13th century. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
Amiens Cathedral, a Gothic giant built in less than a century
On the exterior, the western façade is adorned with hundreds of sculptures depicting saints, apostles, prophets, biblical scenes, and figures from the Middle Ages. At the center, the “Beau Dieu” portal features one of the monument’s most recognizable figures.
These sculptures were far from always having the monochromatic appearance we associate with them today. In the Middle Ages, part of the façade was painted in bright colors. Inside, the eye is naturally drawn to the choir, but a few curiosities lie right at your feet. The octagonal labyrinth, created in 1288 and later reconstructed in the late 19th century, spans 234 meters. At the time, worshippers could follow its path on their knees as a form of symbolic pilgrimage.
To fully appreciate the building’s scale, you can climb the towers. The route involves 302 steps and takes you to the upper parts of the façade before offering an unobstructed view of Amiens. Admission to the cathedral itself remains free; only the towers and the treasury require a separate ticket.
The treasury, in particular, offers a chance to view the relic attributed to the head of Saint John the Baptist, which arrived in Amiens in the early 13th century and played a direct role in the city’s religious prestige. The 16th-century carved wooden choir stalls, the bronze recumbent statues, and the numerous chapels provide more than enough to see to easily spend over an hour inside.
Location: Notre-Dame Cathedral of Amiens, 30 Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens
Hours: Free admission to the cathedral; tours of the towers available through September 30