Notre-Dame Cathedral

Majestic, massive, breathtaking… there’s no shortage of glowing words that come to mind when standing in front of the Amiens Cathedral, officially known as Notre-Dame d’Amiens. And “massive” really is the word — this is the largest cathedral in France, by far. In fact, it’s twice the size of Notre-Dame de Paris. That’s right: twice the size! It holds the record in terms of volume, with nearly 200,000 cubic metres, and its nave reaches an impressive height of 42.3 metres. That also makes it the largest medieval cathedral in the world. Quite something, isn’t it? On it’s first inauguration, it was big enough to hold the entire population of Amiens. It’s no surprise, then, that the cathedral has been awarded not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage listings — one for its remarkable architecture and furnishings, and another as a stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. This is a true masterpiece of Gothic art. Originally designed by master builder Robert de Luzarches, taken over by his assistant, and later by the assistant’s own son. Because it was built so quickly and by architects who worked closely together, the cathedral has a remarkably balanced and harmonious design — something that’s actually quite rare in cathedrals. The façade is particularly striking, with its beautiful 13th-century Gothic sculptures. In the 19th century, the famous architect Viollet-le-Duc carried out major restoration work on the building. He’s best known for restoring some of the most iconic monuments in France, including the medieval city of Carcassonne, Mont Saint-Michel, and Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Thanks to his work — and to the city’s ongoing preservation efforts — Amiens Cathedral remains in exceptional condition, continuing to amaze the many visitors who come to admire it. A true technical feat, the cathedral celebrated its 800th anniversary in 2019. Visitors can climb the towers to enjoy a stunning view over Amiens and the surrounding area. The cathedral’s spire, added in the 16th century, is the oldest surviving spire of its kind still standing in France today. With all this heritage, it’s no surprise that the cathedral has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1862. A visit inside is highly recommended — the interior being just as impressive. You’ll see the grand organ, one of the oldest in France, perched high up above the nave. On the floor, take a moment to look at the intriguing patterns covering the surface. In the centre, you’ll spot a large labyrinth — a powerful symbol of the Middle Ages. These labyrinths, also called mazes or dédales, can still be found in some French cathedrals. They were often included in religious buildings from the 13th century and symbolised the spiritual path toward God. Many have disappeared over time, but here, you’ll find a particularly beautiful example. Go ahead and step inside to discover it all for yourself. And if you don’t mind spending a few euros, you can climb the tower for a panoramic view over Amiens, or visit the Treasury Room, where relics and valuable religious objects are on display. If you’re visiting in summer or around the end-of-year holidays, you’re in for a real treat: the cathedral’s façade is lit up by a spectacular sound and light show called Chroma — definitely worth seeing if you’re in town during that time. Now, if you turn around, you’ll spot a rather unique-looking house, known as the Pilgrim’s House, with beautiful exposed wooden beams, typical of the Middle Ages. It once offered lodging to travelers passing through the city. Back then, Amiens was an important pilgrimage site, and this house is a great reminder of that history. The one you see today isn’t the original — it’s a faithful reconstruction built in 1911. But it gives a pretty accurate idea of what medieval houses used to look like in Amiens