Hotel Bouctot-Vagniez

It’s hard to walk down this street without noticing this beautiful 20th-century townhouse. It was built for André Bouctot and Marie-Louise Vagniez, a wealthy young couple who moved to Amiens after their wedding. In 1911, architect Louis Duthoit completed this architectural gem. From the outside, it shows off an elegant Gothic style, while inside, it’s all about the Art Nouveau décor commissioned by Marie-Louise in person . You’ll find plenty of floral and animal motifs inside—classic features of Art Nouveau. The courtyard is home to a charming English-style garden. Over the years, the building has served several purposes: it was the local Treasury office until the mid-20th century, then became the Natural History Museum, and later the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Picardy. Luckily, this remarkable building remained untouched by the bombings of both World Wars, and it still stands proudly today on Rue des Otages. It’s recently been sold and is set to become a hotel and restaurant in the near future.