The flea market is one of the things to do in Amiens. It is a great opportunity to stretch your legs and have fun without spending a fortune. Make sure to bring a plentiful supply of bags as there’ll be around 2,000 professional and private exhibitors covering 15km of pavements spread over 51 streets.
Hunt for antiques and strike good deals at one of Northern France’s biggest flea markets
An unmissible event, this flea market gets going at dawn, which is when the keenest bargain-hunters arrive, jostling for space as they hunt down old books, clothes, coins, stamps, postcards or even antique furniture. Get into the true flea-market spirit by rummaging through the bric à brac, making sure you haggle with the stall-holders. The earlier you get there the better, as experts and antiques dealers are quick to snap up the best items.
Stalls laden with objects from yesteryear, such as wooden coffee mills, gardening tools, aluminium milk pots and Le Creuset cocottes, will awaken childhood memories – perhaps of granny at the stove, evoking life in a simpler time characterised by traditional values that are still dear to the inhabitants of Northern France.
Flea markets are convivial spaces for people to get together
Around 80,000 bargain-hunters from Paris, Lille, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and even Canada and Australia are expected to attend.
Things to do in Amiens
Amiens Cathedral, which is UNESCO World Heritage listed. In summer (mid June to mid September) and December, don’t miss the night-time Chroma son-et-lumière show that lights up its medieval facade.
Musée de Picardie
Les Hortillonnages: floating market gardens that can be visited in a traditional flat-bottomed boat, right in the heart of Amiens.
Maison de Jules Verne
Bateaux de Saint Leu: Other boat trips offering a unique perspective of Amiens.
What to eat in Amiens
Foodies shouldn’t miss trying macarons d’Amiens - a local speciality made from almond paste and honey (best sampled at Bonnotte or Trogneux) – or ficelle picarde, a savoury pancake stuffed with ham, mushrooms and shallots.
For a coffee break or a sandwich, head for Chez Maxime near the station to sample the Paris-Picardie, a sandwich with local ham and Tomme au Foin, a regional cheese. If you have a weakness for cheese, make a beeline for the Halles covered market, where Julien Planchon’s stand stocks other Northern French varieties – among them Maroilles, Tomme au Cidre, Coeur de Rollot and the newcomer Le Poppy, made with organic goats’ cheese and poppy petals – as well as cheese from further afield including Italy.
These are just a few of the local specialities you’ll unearth as you wander around Amiens.
How to get to Amiens flea market
Amiens is in the heart of Northern France, just off the A16 motorway halfway between Paris and the Channel ferry and Eurotunel port of Calais.
Once you’ve arrived, head for one of the many car parks handy for the flea market.
If you’re arriving by train, the flea market is just 10 minutes’ walk from Amiens’ main train station.
Amiens Flea market dates: 21st April and 6th October 2024
The Best French antique markets in Northern France
