Notre-Dame d'Amiens is a Gothic cathedral on Place Notre-Dame in the centre of Amiens, the capital of the Somme department in Hauts-de-France. Construction began in 1220 under the master mason Robert de Luzarches, after an earlier cathedral burned, and the main body of the church was largely completed within about fifty years, which gives it unusual stylistic unity. The nave and choir are generally cited as an archetype of High Gothic architecture, with a vault rising to roughly 42 metres, a length of about 145 metres, and a volume that makes it the largest cathedral in France by interior space. Its function as a pilgrimage church came from the relic of the head of John the Baptist, brought from Constantinople in 1206 after the Fourth Crusade. The west façade carries three deep portals with hundreds of sculpted figures, among them the Beau Dieu of the central portal and the Last Judgment tympanum, and an upper Gallery of Kings. Inside, visitors find a black-and-white labyrinth set into the nave floor, a 13th-century design restored in 1894, the carved oak choir stalls from the early 16th century with more than 3,500 figures, and the Weeping Angel, a 17th-century funerary sculpture in the ambulatory that has become widely known through reproductions. The cathedral was heavily restored in the 19th century under the direction of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, and sandbags protected its sculpture during the First World War; it survived the Second World War with limited damage. The curatorial approach is architectural rather than museum-led: the building is the exhibit, with interpretive panels and audio guides explaining its sculpture and structure. Original medieval polychromy is recalled in summer light projections on the west façade, known as Chroma, which reconstruct how the portals were once painted. Visitors can also climb the towers when open, for a fee, and see the treasury. Overall preservation is good, with continuing conservation of the stonework. A visit usually takes 60 to 90 minutes, and entry to the nave is free.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon–Sat 08:30–18:15 |
| Address | Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens |
Why it matters
Amiens Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in France by interior volume and a defining model of High Gothic design. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and has housed the reputed relic of the head of John the Baptist since the early 13th century.
Location
Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens
49.8949, 2.3022 View on map
Highlights
- Study the west façade portals, including the Beau Dieu and the Last Judgment tympanum
- Follow the 13th-century labyrinth set into the nave floor
- Admire the 16th-century carved oak choir stalls with thousands of figures
- Find the Weeping Angel sculpture in the ambulatory
- Attend the summer Chroma light show recreating the façade's medieval colours
Tips for visiting
- Allow 60 to 90 minutes, longer with an audio guide or tower climb.
- Visit in the morning, when light enters the nave and tour groups are fewer.
- Check the summer evening schedule for the Chroma light show on the west façade.
- Keep voices low and avoid visits during services, particularly on Sundays.
- Walk to the nearby Saint-Leu quarter for a meal after the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amiens Cathedral English-language friendly?
Yes. Information panels and audio guides are available in English, and the tourist office offers guided tours in the language.
How long does a visit take?
A visit to the nave, choir and portals normally takes 60 to 90 minutes. Climbing the towers adds time.
Can children visit?
Yes. The building is open to families and the sculptures and labyrinth tend to interest children.
Is entry free?
Entry to the nave is free. Tower climbs and some tours carry a separate charge.