Amiens, France

     Amiens is a city in northern France.  It was heavily involved in World War I and World War II, so the town has undergone extensive reconstruction.  The Somme River passes through Amiens, and it's how the people used the river that makes this place unique.

Mike and Serge
There are several murals depicting scenes from World War I.

Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens

This is a lot like Notre Dame in Paris.

However, this cathedral is bigger than Notre Dame.  This is the 19th largest church in the world.  Notre Dame could fit inside it.

The thing I always forget is that church interiors were covered with paintings.  What an impressive sight for 14th century worshipers.  The western façade was also painted.

Restaurants Along the Somme

l'Homme sur sa Bouee
(Man on a Buoy)
This statue standing in the river is made of wood.  The poor guy's painted clothing has weathered away, so sometimes people put clothes on him.  Sometimes, they just take him a beer.

My first impression was That's colorful, That's cute.  Then I learned the meaning.  This installation is dedicated to the more than 600 refugee children who have drowned trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

We took a boat ride through the Hortillages or floating islands.  The Somme River contains 741 acres of land that has been reclaimed from the marshes.  The farming done on these islands has fed the city of Amiens since the Middle Ages.  

People still farm the fertile soil, but the area is also used for recreation.

Hikers can take a rest in one of the red hammocks set up on one of the islands. 

There are about 1,000 people who own a piece of the Hortillonages.  Their get-away cabins are rustic and without electricity or running water.  Tourists can rent more luxurious digs with catering optional.  I found one advertised on Airbnb.    

I wonder what they are catching.

We got a big bonjour from this guy.