Floating gardens
Hortillonnages
Amiens
The hortillonnages, a maze of gardens on the water
- 300HECTARES OF GARDENS
- 65Kmfrom Rieux
- 7
tools
A natural setting
Right in the heart of the city!
Amiens ‘ 300 hectares of water gardens have earned it the nickname “Little Venice of the North“. A natural setting in the heart of the city, at the gateway to the Somme Valley.
In the past, they were nothing but market gardens. Leeks, cabbage and carrots were grown for the people of Amiens. Today, only a handful ofhortillonners cultivate the black, fertile soil of the Hortillonnages and make a living from it.
Every Saturday, they sell their produce at the market on the water in the Saint-Leu district. A great opportunity to buy fresh, seasonal vegetables.
The plots have become pleasure gardens for the people of Amiens in search of nature and rejuvenation.
How to visit the hortillonnages?
Situated in the heart of Amiens and the Somme Valley, on 65 kilometers of rieux – as the small streams that surround the plots of land are called – there are several approaches available to you.
- By traditional horn-boat
We opt for the traditional version by horn-boat, with a boatman guide who will tell us all about the history of these gardens. Meet at La Maison des Hortillonnages – pier at 54 boulevard Beauvillé – Tel. 03 22 92 12 18 - By boat with a private guide
Rémi offers you a unique and privileged tour, aboard an electrically-powered boat for a silent, small-group visit. Meet us on the towpath Les hortillonnages et vous – Tel. 07 67 66 12 65
Paco takes you on an unforgettable tour of the Hortillonnages, in an electric boat far from the beaten track. Meet at Jardin des Vertueux – 472, Chaussée Jules Ferry, Amiens – Tel. 06 30 89 43 21 - In a rowboat (rental)
If you prefer to be on your own, rent a small individual rowing boat from the Ô Jardin restaurant on the towpath – Tel. 03 22 92 04 27
or an electric boat from the Musée des Hortillonnages – Tel. 03 22 91 95 53 - On foot
- From the Parc Saint Pierre, take an educational trail along the towpath. Our suggested itinerary
- By bike
At the station (50m from the Hortillonnages), hire a mountain bike from Buscyclette . Tel. 03 22 715 111 – Our suggested itinerary - By canoe or kayak
For those who like the unbeaten track! An itinerary to discover the hortillonnages with a guide or on your own, renting your own equipment. Club Nautique de Rivery – Tel: 03 22 91 63 75
The Amiens hortillonnages are a green lung in the heart of the city, best discovered on the water – choose your own boat!
Hortillonnages Amiens
International Garden Festival
Our favorite way to visit the Hortillonnages! Embark on a self-guided electric boat (no license required) for a cultural, refreshing and fun ride.
Spread out over islands in the heart of the hortillonnages, the landscape gardens and natural and plastic installations take visitors on a poetic journey. The works invite you to take an amused, critical or questioning look at culture, nature, heritage and society. Today, 52 gardens and installations bring the heart of the hortillonnages to life.
On your own, for 2h30, you’ll discover, from island to island, the creations of visual and landscape artists, works of contemporary art and installations planted on the Etang de Clermont.
Embarcadère au Port à fumier à Camon – 35 rue Roger Allou
Information and reservations: Tel. 06 78 53 55 92
Every year from June to October
To find out more…
The water market
On the 3rd Sunday in June, dressed in their traditional costumes, the market gardeners sail down the Somme in their old-fashioned hornboats. Arriving opposite Quai Bélu, they sell their vegetables on Place Parmentier.
The Hortillonnages Museum
A museum retracing the history, life and work of hortillonists. It was the dream of René and Thérèse Nowak, market gardeners, to preserve the memory of the hortillon profession. On site, you can hire an electric boat and wander around their market garden plots for 40 minutes.
21 impasse Marcel à Rivery – Tel.: 03 22 91 95 53 – www.museedeshortillonnages.fr
Fruit island
A lively place that comes alive every Thursday evening, with a space for producers to showcase their seasonal vegetables and homemade, heartfelt products, as well as concerts and tastings. Don’t miss it!
Thursdays from 5pm to 9pm, 325 rue de Verdun – L’île aux fruits
We sleep here too!
For an unusual night of total immersion in the gardens, opt for the charming, bucolic maison-cabanes of D’une île à l’autre. Laure will lend you the bikes, boat and fishing rods!
137 bis Chemin de halage – Tel. 06 16 89 19 87 – D’une île à l’autre
Opt for the gîtes of Hubert, a secondhand goods dealer with a passion for art, decoration and antiques: Comme une parenthèse
19 rue Voyelle – Tel: 06 08 77 99 28
3rd address, Isabelle welcomes you to her 4 guest rooms Au jardin sur l’eau overlooking the market garden plots for a total immersion experience.
60 rue Voyelle – Tel.: 06 18 03 16 71
Domaine Au delà des Saules, 2 restored houses in the heart of the hortillonnages. Bicycles and rowing boat available.
145 chemin de halage – Tel.: 06 11 01 20 39 – Au delà des Saules
For the more adventurous…adventure awaitsat Camp Robinson. If you’re into the rootsy side of things, head to Camp Hortillon-Robinson, rue Roger Allou in Camon, for a mysterious embarkation with Olivier.
Camping-insolite Tel: 06 28 78 24 52
Meeting with
thérèse nowak
Hortillonne
“We grow a wide variety of vegetables: lettuces, radishes, beet, potatoes, pumpkins, turnips, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, eggplants, celery, peppers, Jerusalem artichokes… We sell our produce every Saturday morning at the water market and at the Dury farmers’ market on Fridays.”
Who to contact
La Maison des Hortillonnages
54 Bd de Beauvillé
80000 AMIENS
Tel. 03 22 92 12 18
www.leshortillonnages-amiens.com
Office de Tourisme Amiens Métropole
23 Place Notre-Dame (parvis Cathédrale)
80000 AMIENS
Tel. 03 22 71 60 50
www.amiens-tourisme.com
Club nautique de Rivery
13 Impasse Motte
80136 RIVERY
Tel. 03 22 91 63 75
www.hortillonnages-canoe.com
Where to buy fruit and vegetables
The hortillonnages
- At the organic market “L’hortillon de Lune”
Every Friday evening from 4pm to 7pm – 4 bis Impasse Marcel in Rivery - At Ferme des Hortillonnages
9am to 12:30pm and 3:30pm to 7:30pm – closed Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.
29 rue de l’Agrappin, Amiens - At the water market
Every Saturday morning at Place Parmentier (opposite Quai Bélu) in Amiens. - Les Halles du Beffroi
Place Maurice Vast, Amiens - At the Port à fumier in Camon
Every day, hortillon Francis Parmentier sells his vegetables.
(Secret) soup recipe
OUTFIT OF A HORTILLONNE (!)
A delicious spring soup to prepare with new vegetables…
Ingredients
- 1 green cabbage
- 4 leek whites
- 1 Lettuce
- 500g firm-fleshed potatoes
- 500g fresh peas
- Water
- Salt and pepper
- Lard
Preparation
Wash the cabbage hearts, leek whites and potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces. Cut the cabbage into small strips and the leeks into thin slices. Scoop out the peas.
Heat a little lard in a stewpot and steam the cabbage and leeks for 10 minutes. Add 2 liters of water and discard the potatoes and peas. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook over a low heat for around 20-25 minutes (check that the potatoes and peas remain firm).
One minute before serving, add leaf lettuce lightly browned in butter.
Serve with toasted wholemeal bread spread with lard.