In the city of Amiens, northern France

 "Reality provides us with facts so romantic that imagination itself could add nothing to them."

-- Jules Verne, French novelist, poet, and playwright
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(in northern France) The city of Amiens, capital of the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region, is found in the Somme River valley, 120 km (~75 mi.) north of Paris and 100 km (~62 mi.) southwest of Lille.

+ Known as Samarobriva in pre-Roman times and capital of the Ambiani, Amiens became a Roman city, Christianized in the 4th century by St. Firmin, its first bishop. Its territory became the medieval countship of Amiénois, and its citizens profited from rivalry between bishop and count to gain a charter early in the 12th century. The 1802 Peace of Amiens marked a short pause in the Napoleonic Wars. In 1914, after a brief incursion into the city, the Germans dug in 18 miles (~29 km) east; their final drive in 1918 was stopped eight miles (~13 km) from the city. In World War II, Amiens was occupied by the Germans. After being damaged in both wars, the city center was rebuilt.

+ The old part of Amiens, including the reconstructed 17th-century City Hall, the 15th-century church of Saint-Germain, and the ancient theater with the Louis XVI facade, is latticed with seven branches of the river. The Cathedral was begun in 1220 and was finished about 50 years later. Its galleried and rose-windowed facade, pierced by three portals and topped by twin towers, is splendid. It has an awesome interior with a soaring nave and bold supporting columns, employing the logic of Romanesque while imposing the open and dramatic qualities of Gothic. One of France's mightiest Gothic cathedrals it is reason enough to visit Amiens, the former capital of Picardy. The city center, rebuilt after WWII, is complemented by lovely green spaces along the Somme River. Jules Verne lived the last 34 years of his life here; his former home is now a museum. Some 30,000 students from the Université de Picardie Jules Verne give the town a youthful energy. Dominated by the colossal 13th-century cathedral and situated near the Battle of the Somme memorials, Amiens pairs historic monuments with the youthful energy of a university town. Les Hortillonnages d'Amiens (floating market gardens), Jules Verne House, and the bars and restaurants of Quartier St-Leu add to its appeal.

+ A total of 60 monuments are listed in the inventory of monuments historiques, over 1600 places and monuments listed in the general inventory of cultural heritage, and 187 objects listed in the inventory of monuments historiques. During December, the city hosts the largest Christmas market in northern France. It is known for a few local foods, including "macarons d'Amiens" (almond paste biscuits),"tuiles amienoises," (chocolate and orange curved biscuits), "pâté de canard d'Amiens (duck pâté in pastry), "la ficelle Picarde" (an oven-baked cheese-topped crêpe), and "flamiche aux poireaux" (a puff pastry tart made with leeks and cream).