Amiens Cathedral
Amiens Cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Amiens, is the tallest complete cathedral in France and the largest by interior volume, an awe-inspiring demonstration of what Gothic builders could achieve. Begun in 1220 to house a relic said to be the head of John the Baptist, its nave rises more than 42 metres, creating a vast, light-filled vessel of stone that has astonished visitors for nearly eight centuries.
The west facade is a sculptural encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages, its portals densely populated with carved kings, prophets and the Last Judgement, while the famous Beau Dieu of Amiens presides serenely over the central doorway. Inside, an intricate labyrinth marks the floor and richly carved oak choir stalls display scenes of daily medieval life. In recent decades a nightly summer sound-and-light show has digitally restored the original polychrome paint to the facade, revealing how vividly coloured these sculptures once were.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Amiens remains the seat of its bishop and a working cathedral. It draws pilgrims, architecture enthusiasts and travellers along the route to the battlefields and memorials of the Somme.
- Annual visitors
- ≈ 800,000
- Location
- 49.8950, 2.3022
- Local time
- 00:33 (Europe/Paris)
🕘 Visiting hours
| Mon–Thu | 08:30–18:15 |
| Fri–Sun | 08:30–19:30 |
Summer hours (Apr 1-Sep 30); in winter closes ~17:15 Mon-Thu and ~18:30 Fri-Sun. Free access except during ceremonies. Tower/Treasury tours separate.
✨ Saints & blessed venerated here
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John the Baptist Saint
Purported head of St John the Baptist, brought from Constantinople in 1206, is the cathedral's most famous relic; portal and ambulatory sculptures depict his life.
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Saint Firmin Saint
First bishop and martyr of Amiens; the right west portal is dedicated to him and polychrome ambulatory sculptures illustrate his life and relics.
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Saint Honoratus (Honore) Saint
Bishop of Amiens; the south transept ('Saint-Honore') portal tympanum recounts his life.
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Virgin Mary Saint
Cathedral dedicated to Notre-Dame d'Amiens; the Lady Chapel sits at the east end and the 'Vierge Doree' adorns the south transept portal.
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Saint Sebastian Saint
Has a chapel in the north transept featuring sculptures by Nicolas Blasset.
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Saint Eligius (Eloi) Saint
Holds a dedicated chapel on the south side of the chevet.
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Saint Thomas of Canterbury Saint
Has a dedicated chapel with a 13th-century dedication in the cathedral.
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Saints Victoricus and Gentian Saint
Locally venerated Amiens martyrs depicted in the west front portal sculpture.
The candle wall
4 candles burning now · 164 places
00:33
Tap an empty holder to light your own candle · €2.00 · hover a flame to see its intention