Hortillonnages de Wairy (Floating Gardens, Amiens)

The Hortillonnages are a network of market-garden islands and canals on the Somme at Amiens, in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Known as the floating gardens, they cover several hundred hectares of small plots separated by narrow waterways, and many are still cultivated. The access point for boat tours is at 54 Boulevard Beauvillé, in the Saint-Leu area of Amiens. The site is a short walk from Amiens train station, roughly 15 minutes along Rue des Otages, so no car is needed and no permit is required. A guided boat trip covers about 1.5 km on the water, typically in a traditional flat-bottomed boat, and walking paths around the gardens extend up to about 5 km. Total time for a visit ranges from 1.5 to 3 hours. The terrain is flat, with almost no elevation gain, and the surfaces are a mix of paved streets, gravel and grassy embankments that can be muddy after rain. Shade comes from poplars and willows along the canals, though some stretches are open to the sun. Landmarks include the garden plots with vegetables and flowers, small wooden huts, and views back toward the cathedral of Amiens. Natural turn-around points are any of the canal-side bridges, which allow short out-and-back walks. Water is not provided along the paths, but cafés and shops are available in the Saint-Leu district near the departure point. There are no refuge huts, though the boat tour gives shelter from rain in covered sections on some boats. Visitors should wear light, non-slip footwear because wooden landings and damp edges can be slippery. Because private plots are worked by gardeners, walkers should keep to public paths and avoid entering cultivated areas.