Amiens Christmas Market 2026: dates, route and illuminated cathedral

With more than a hundred chalets spread along two kilometres of walkways, the Amiens Christmas market is one of the largest in northern France. Every winter it winds through the city centre of the Picardy capital, up to the foot of an exceptional Gothic cathedral that is illuminated on certain December evenings.

2026 dates, route, local specialities, the cathedral light show and places to stay nearby in winter: here is our guide to the Amiens Christmas market.

The Amiens Christmas market at a glance

Two kilometres of chalets in the centre

The market stretches through the pedestrian heart of Amiens, along Rue des Trois-Cailloux and as far as Place Gambetta and Place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville. The red chalets sell crafts, decorations, toys, regional products and food and drink, under the city’s lights. Parades regularly cross the centre, and a little train lets the whole family discover the market and the old town.

Notre-Dame cathedral in light

The largest Gothic cathedral in France by interior volume and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Notre-Dame cathedral in Amiens is the main reason to visit Amiens in winter. In December, a light show brings the façade back to the colours it had in the Middle Ages. The city and the tourist office announce the 2026 dates and times: check them before planning your evening.

What to eat at the Amiens Christmas market?

Use the market to discover Picardy’s specialities: the ficelle picarde, a rolled crêpe with ham and mushrooms, baked au gratin, the macarons d’Amiens, soft almond biscuits, and the chocolate tuiles amiénoises. Mulled wine, hot chocolate and waffles complete the stroll.

What to see in Amiens during the market?

• the Notre-Dame cathedral, best visited by day for its sculptures and its dimensions;
• the Saint-Leu district, with its canals and colourful houses, perfect for a break by the water;
• the Jules Verne house, where the writer lived for nearly twenty years;
• the Musée de Picardie, one of the major regional museums.

The famous hortillonnages, floating gardens explored by boat, are mostly visited from spring to autumn: in winter, check the visiting options.

Our tips for the market

• Come on a weekday, preferably early in the afternoon, to avoid the Saturday crowds.
• Stay until nightfall for the illuminations and, depending on the dates, the cathedral light show.
• Travel by train: Amiens station is a few minutes’ walk from the market.
• Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes to walk the two kilometres of walkways.

Where to stay at a campsite open in winter near Amiens?

Several campsites in the Somme are open all year round. The closest to Amiens is La Pointe, in Frise, in the Haute-Somme valley, about three quarters of an hour’s drive away. To combine the Christmas market with the sea, the Picardy coast, from Quend to Fort-Mahon-Plage via the Bay of Somme, has other addresses open in winter, a little over an hour from Amiens.

Find all campsites open all year round in the Somme and our advice on camping in winter.

Our verdict

The Amiens Christmas market is worth the detour for its size, its family atmosphere and above all its cathedral, one of the most beautiful in Europe. Plan a full day, between chalets, the Saint-Leu district and the illuminated cathedral, and extend your stay to the Bay of Somme.