Experience in Amiens, France by Manon

What is it like to live in Amiens? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Okay so Amiens isn't obviously the best city in the world, fist, because the weather isn't really amazing, but not that bad we could think. It's nothern France so don't expect high temperature: it's not always raining but it's a cold, wet and windy city (except if you come during those two or three weeks of heatwave we often have to face up to during summer.

Putting this aside, this is a human-scale city really easy to live in. You can sit on a bench or lie down (or run if you prefer) in a park, go too cinema, at the swimming pool, at the skating rink, at music or comic book festivals, visit museums, go party at night... In short, Amiens is a sporty and cultural city. Everything is done to make it more lively each year.

I clearly recommand you to come, it's a good place to live when you're a student.

What is the student lifestyle like in Amiens?

The university is splited in sevral parts more or less well located. Yet, it'll in principal change in 2018, most of the faculties should be brought together.

You can have a room in residencies if you achieve to obtain one. Otherwise, you can find an accomodation in the city, alone or not. Big flat or not. Expensive or not.

You can go shopping in the Trois Cailloux pedestrian street and at night, the place to be is obviously St-Leu.

How much does it cost to live in Amiens?

Honestly I can't tell you, I live at my parents sooo. I can say you the cost to live in France in general is kinda high. Yet, if you well manage your money I think you can live with 400-500 euros per month, flat and food included.

I advise you to inform yourself 'cause I'm not the best advisor at this subject.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Amiens? Is there any advice you can give?

As I said it I live with my parents, I'm not the best advisor neither about this. All I can say is that a lot of students have a flat in Amiens, so, it's must be easy to find if you know where to look at

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is great. What could I advise you to try...

La ficelle picarde, a classic. It's a crepe with ham, mushrooms and cream. L'agneau (lamb) au pré salé, raised on the coast.

There are not much specialities in Picardie but there are a lot of restaurants wich will suggest you lots of differents plates.

What places would you recommend visiting in Amiens?

First, the cathedral. It is absolutely incredible, source of pride of the whole city.

There's also Jules Verne's house, and also les hortillonages to go for a wander in a small boat between the marker gardeners'plots.

You can go the the Museum of Picardie, Aragon library.

What's more... There are a lot of things about the fist world war around of Amiens and in the departement (Somme) in general.

Is it good to eat out in Amiens? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

If cheese is your guilty pleasure, you must go for a stroll in town, particularly in Les Halles au fras where you can find Planchon where you can honestly find the best cheese of Amiens/Picardie/Haut-de-France/France.

For the restaurants, there are some in the Quai Belu (next to the river in town) but also in town. Try every thing, you can fin burgers, sushis, fast foods, or more traditional restaurants, it depends on what you want.

Is the nightlife good in Amiens? Where is good to go?

Try the Baobar if you're favourite alcohol is rhum or if you love cocktails. A Harry Potter Bar opened last saturday. A broker bar opened a few months ago, prices change according to the consumption of each drink at the moment. There is also l'English, the Delirium café, the Goodness, the Network...

There are some clubs in Amiens but not expect something spectacular. If I had to advise you on which one to go, I guess I'd telle you to go to the Miroir or at La Cave and maybe at The Hashtag when there are some students parties (sports students vs. law students generally).

What advice would you give future students heading to Amiens?

Don't hesitate to reach me out. But not next semester (winter 2017-2018), I'll be in Poland ! ;)