The Belfries of Belgium and France are 56 bell-towers, built between the 11th and 20th centuries.
They are mostly found in town centres and connected to the local town hall or church. At their time, the Belfries represented the growing importance of cities instead of the feudal system in the Middle Ages.
France: Hauts de France – Amiens cathedral
🏰 A Magnificent Detour: Amiens Cathedral
If you find yourself passing through northern France — specifically the region of Picardy — do yourself a favour and swing off the main road into the town of Amiens. We stumbled upon it and it was absolutely worth it.
The cathedral we found there is quite something. It had its origins in the 12th century, though the bulk of what stands today was largely rebuilt between 1220 and 1270 — coming hot on the heels of the great cathedrals at Chartres and Reims. What’s rather remarkable is how quickly the whole thing went up. For a Gothic cathedral, it was constructed in an unusually short period, which gave it a lovely unity of style that you don’t always see — most of these places got knocked about and added to for centuries, ending up as a bit of an architectural jumble.
The design proved so influential that the form of its apse was widely copied right through to the late Middle Ages. Not bad going, really.
In the 19th century, the cathedral underwent a significant restoration, with the celebrated architect and restorer Eugène Viollet-le-Duc — the same chap who had a go at Notre-Dame de Paris — principally turning his attention to the corner towers housing the staircases, the balustrades at the top of those towers, the gargoyles, and the bell-ringers’ gallery. He was a busy man.
It’s not just us who thought it was rather special. The cathedral has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, so the world agrees.
The interior is genuinely gorgeous. The stained-glass windows in particular are spectacular and well worth a good long gawp. Apparently, though, what we saw today is actually the reduced version — much of the original stained glass has been lost over the years. Hard to imagine it being even more impressive, but there we are. Bit of a shame, that.
🏛️ There’s More To Amiens Than Just The Cathedral
We’d be doing Amiens a disservice if we let you think it’s a one-trick pony. The town itself is well worth a wander. The old centre in particular — especially the streets immediately surrounding the cathedral — is extremely picturesque. We’re talking the sort of place where you find yourself stopping every few yards to take yet another photograph you’ll probably never look at again.
There’s a good selection of cafes and restaurants dotted about, and frankly, after all that architectural appreciation, sitting down with a decent coffee or a leisurely lunch felt like exactly the right thing to do. The French, bless them, have never needed much of an excuse to while away an afternoon at a pavement table, and on this occasion we were very happy to follow their lead.
It’s the kind of town centre that reminds you why pottering about northern France on a road trip beats a package holiday every single time. Do give yourself a bit more time than you think you’ll need — Amiens has a habit of keeping you longer than planned, and that’s no bad thing at all.
Planning Your Visit to Amiens Cathedral
| 📍 | Location | Place Notre-Dame, 80000 Amiens, Somme, Hauts-de-France, France | |
| 🕖 | Opening Times | Daily: 8:30 AM – 6:15 PM (Oct–Mar) / 8:30 AM – 7:15 PM (Apr–Sep). Closed during religious services. | 🌐 Website: cathedrale-amiens.fr |
| 📞 | Phone | +33 (0)3 22 71 60 50 | 📧 Email: contact@cathedrale-amiens.fr |
| 🚂 | By Train | Direct TGV and regional trains from Paris Gare du Nord – approx. 70 mins to Amiens station. Cathedral is a 10-min walk. | |
| 🚌 | By Bus | Local TURA network serves the city centre. Multiple routes stop near Place Notre-Dame. | |
| 🚗 | By Road | A1 motorway from Paris, then A16 towards Amiens. Approx. 120 km north of Paris. Paid parking available nearby on Place Alphonse Fiquet and surrounding streets. | |
| ℹ️ | Notes | Entry to the cathedral is free. Guided tours and the famous illuminated sound-and-light show (summer evenings) may require tickets. Treasury visits are separately ticketed. |
🎟️ Entry Fees
| Cathedral Entry | Treasury | Guided Tour | Sound & Light Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | €3 | €7 (adults) | Free |
The best time to visit Hauts-de-France
🌸 Spring (March–May)
March remains cool (6–12°C), but by April the countryside greens up and the days lengthen noticeably. The Bay of the Somme draws migratory birds and active seal colonies, making it the best season for wildlife. WWI battlefield tours run in comfortable conditions, Lille’s museums are uncrowded, and gardens at Chantilly and Compiègne are at their freshest. Crowds are thin and prices reasonable throughout.
What to pack: Waterproof jacket, lightweight layers, jumper or fleece, walking shoes, trousers, compact umbrella, sunscreen for May.
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Peak season, with temperatures of 18–24°C and occasional warmer spells. The Opal Coast is at its best — Le Touquet-Paris-Plage draws families and day-trippers, while sea breezes keep the clifftops at Cap Blanc-Nez and Cap Gris-Nez comfortable. Lille buzzes with festivals and terrace dining, WWI sites are fully staffed, and cycling in the Avesnois countryside is excellent. Book accommodation early, especially on the coast.
What to pack: Light tops, swimwear, trainers or sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, light waterproof, cardigan for evenings.
🍂 Autumn (September–November)
September holds real warmth (15–20°C) while crowds thin rapidly. Lille’s Braderie — Europe’s largest flea market — fills the city in early September, and the cultural calendar peaks through October. The Somme battlefields are quietly affecting under autumn skies, and the forests around Compiègne turn copper. November is cooler and wetter; better suited to museums and cathedral visits than outdoor exploration.
What to pack: Warm waterproof jacket, layers (tops and jumpers), waterproof walking shoes or boots, scarf, gloves for November, umbrella, smart-casual for evenings.
❄️ Winter (December–February)
Cold (2–8°C), grey, and damp, but rewarding for those who embrace it. Lille, Arras, and Amiens host some of northern France’s finest Christmas markets; Arras’s Grand’Place setting is particularly impressive. After Christmas, visitor numbers drop sharply and major sites — including the Historial de la Grande Guerre and Vimy Memorial — can be explored in near solitude. The coast is dramatic: enormous skies, empty beaches, and crashing waves.
What to pack: Heavy coat, thermal underlayers, waterproof boots, thick socks, hat, scarf, gloves, smart layers for markets and evenings.
📊 Summary Table
🗓️ Overall Best Time to Visit
Late spring (May) and early summer (June) offer the most balanced experience — pleasant weather, manageable crowds, accessible coast, and the full range of activities from battlefield tours to city breaks. July and August suit those prioritising beaches and festivals, despite the busier conditions. September is ideal for culture and heritage travel with a touch of warmth still in the air. Even winter earns its place, delivering atmospheric solitude, excellent Christmas markets, and a quieter, more personal encounter with one of France’s most underrated regions.
More to Explore
