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: Picardie – Amiens cathedral
Amiens Cathedral, in the heart of Picardy, is one of the largest 'classic' Gothic churches of the 13th century.
If you are passing through northern France in the region of Picardy it is well worth taking a small detour into the town of Amiens, where you will find a beautiful cathedral.
The cathedral was built in the 12th century but largely rebuilt between 1220 and 1270, after the cathedrals at Chartres and Reims. The form of its apse was copied elsewhere until the late Middle Ages. During its restoration in the 19th century, Viollet-le-Duc principally worked on the corner towers housing the staircases, the balustrades at the top of the towers, the gargoyles and the bell-ringers’ gallery. The cathedral was built in a remarkably short period of time for a Gothic cathedral, giving it an unusual unity of style.
The cathedral has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.
The inside of the cathedral is gorgeous and there are some spectacular stained-glass windows. Apparently, in the past the stained-glass was even more impressive, but has been lost over the years.
Amiens town
Amiens is more than its catherdral. The old centre of the city, especially around the cathedral itself is extremely picturesque. There are some lovely cafes and restaurants to chose from to pass the time of day in.
Planning your visit to Amiens Cathedral
| Address: | 30 Place Notre Dame, 80000 Amiens |
| Website: | https://www.cathedrale-amiens.fr/en/ |
| Telephone: | T: +33 3 22 80 03 41 |
| Hours: | The cathedral is always open. Accessing the tower or treasures must be booked in advance. Tower access from April 1 to September 30: 2PM / 2:45PM/ 3:30PM /4:15PM pm). From October 1 to March 31: 2PM / 3PM. Closed on Tuesdays and during ceremonies Treasures access from April 1 to September 30: 11AM / 2PM on Mondays and from Wenesdays to Saturdays. 2PM on Sundays From October 1 to March 31: 11 AM. Closed on Tuesdays and during ceremonies |
| Fees: | To enter the cathedral is free of charge. To access the towers the fee is €6. To access the treasures is €4. A combination ticket is €8 |
Best time to visit Amiens
The best time to visit Amiens in France is from June through September. In this period you have a pleasant temperature and almost no precipitation. The highest average temperature in Amiens is 22°C in July and the lowest is 6°C in January.
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