The Hortillonnages, formerly marshes fed by branches of the Somme River, are 741 acres of gardens located in the heart of Amiens. The area is criss-crossed by 55 km of channels accessible only by boat or by foot. The Romans were the first to drain the marshes and cultivate market garden produce; market gardening in Amiens was in full bloom by the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century there were still 1,000 market gardeners, also called "hortillons", who lived on what they produced, which was sold at the water market on the "Quai Parmentier". The market is still held every Saturday morning on the river bank of place Parmentier. The Society for the Protection of the Hortillonnages offers guided tours from April to October.
The Society for the Protection of the Hortillonnages 54 boulevard de Beauville Phone: 00 33 0 3 22 92 12 18