Three rocks street

Here you are on Rue des Trois Cailloux, Amiens’ main shopping street. This charming pedestrian area is home to a large number of the city center’s shops and is very popular among locals. It’s also historic: this street likely dates back to the 15th century, when part of the city’s fortifications was removed. Its name probably comes from a historical building located here, called the “Maison des Trois Cailloux,” which means “House of the Three Pebbles”. It was later known as Hôtel des Trois Cailloux. Another theory is that the street was named after three brothers—Claude, Martin, and Pierre Cailleu—whose family name gradually changed from “Cailleu” to “Cailloux.” As you can see, the exact origin of the name remains uncertain,but clearly, this street has stood the test of time, even though it had to be rebuilt after World War II. It connects Place René Goblet to Place Gambetta, which is just behind you. As you walk along, you’re passing over the remains of a Gallo-Roman amphitheatre that’s over 2,000 years old. Buried beneath your feet, these ruins can be seen through two glass viewing panels located on your left, in the square. Around this amphitheatre once stood the Roman forum—the city’s main square—which was the political, religious, social, and economic heart of the town. In other words, you’re standing at the very center of Amiens’ history, back when the city was called Samarobriva—meaning ‘the bridge over the Somme.'”