WEEKEND TRIP · AMIENS · BY TRAIN

An Advent weekend in Amiens: Christmas market, cathedral and Saint-Leu by train

Amiens works well for a car-free Advent weekend. From Gare d’Amiens you walk along rue de Noyon to the first chalets, and two days give you time for the market at two times of day, the cathedral in daylight and Chroma in the evening.

Get the guide with six routes See the weekend plan

Cover of the guide

Short answer

How do you plan a weekend at the Amiens Christmas market without a car?

Arrive by train at Gare d’Amiens, which the organisers describe as within walking distance of the first chalets via rue de Noyon. Leave luggage at your accommodation first. On day one, see the cathedral in daylight, walk a market section and stay for Chroma at 19:00 between 27 November and 27 December. On day two, walk through Saint-Leu, add the Musée de Picardie or Maison de Jules Verne, and leave enough time for the walk back to the station. Ametis buses are free on Saturdays according to the city and the organiser.

At a glance

Arrival: Gare d’Amiens, on foot via rue de Noyon
Late opening: Fri and Sat to 21:00
Chroma: 27 Nov – 27 Dec, 19:00
Local buses: Ametis, free on Saturdays

ARRIVAL

How do you get to the Amiens Christmas market by train?

The station is close to the market, so you do not need a transfer to an out-of-town site. Book for your actual travel date and check outward and return journeys together.

ON FOOT

From Gare d’Amiens to the chalets

The organisers describe the route from the station along rue de Noyon to the first stalls. Check the exact way to your first destination if you have luggage or specific access needs. Save Gare d’Amiens as your destination for the trip home so you can find it again easily in the evening.

CONNECTIONS

Trains and changes

A journey time quoted on a tourism website is not a timetable. For international journeys or a change in Paris, note the station used by each connection. Keep your ticket, accommodation address and return connection available offline and check your train operator’s notices on the day.

LOCAL BUSES

Ametis and Noctibus

Ametis runs four main Nemo routes Monday to Sunday, with fewer Sunday services. Buses are free on Saturdays according to the city and the organiser. Contactless payment is possible; use the same card or phone each time for fare capping. Noctibus offers certain late connections on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from Saint-Leu and Gare du Nord.

STAY

Where to stay for a Christmas weekend in Amiens

Choose a location that fits your evening. The guide names three areas and lists no prices or room availability, as these change with dates.

STATION

Around the station

Convenient for a short stay by train, as you arrive and leave from the same point. Check the actual entrance, luggage storage and the later walk back from the market or the cathedral. ‘Near the station’ does not replace an exact address or details on steps and lifts.

CENTRE

Along the central market route

Short walks to the chalets between Place René Goblet and Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, which helps on a Friday or Saturday evening. Ask about the room’s location if quiet matters to you; a view of a busy street can be appealing, but your sleep depends on windows, floor and position.

OLD TOWN

Cathedral and Saint-Leu

Suits a stay focused on architecture and a waterside walk, and keeps you close to the forecourt for Chroma. Check the connection to the station and to your evening destination. Compare total price, cancellation terms and possible extra charges, and arrange check-in if you arrive late.

PLAN

Two days in Amiens in Advent: a sample weekend

Built from Routes 2 and 3 in the guide. Shorten any part to suit the weather and your pace.

Day 1 · Morning

Arrive and drop luggage

Walk from Gare d’Amiens along rue de Noyon. The main chalets open at 11:00.
Day 1 · Early afternoon

Cathedral in daylight

Start with the façade, then the interior. Towers at 14:00, 15:00 or 16:00, except Tuesdays.
Day 1 · Late afternoon

A limited market walk and early meal

Choose one section and finish shopping in time to eat before the evening.
Day 1 · 19:00

Chroma on the forecourt

Between 27 November and 27 December, about 50 minutes. Then head straight to your accommodation.
Day 2 · Morning

Saint-Leu

Narrow houses and waterways. On Saturdays, a weekly market at Place Parmentier.
Day 2 · Midday

Museum or writer’s house

Musée de Picardie opens at 11:00 at weekends; Maison de Jules Verne reopens at 14:00 after lunch.
Day 2 · Afternoon

Last purchases and the train home

Buy bulky gifts last and agree a clear time to leave for the station.

Inside the guide

Routes and trip planning: Amiens — Routes and trip planning

CHECKLIST

Weekend checklist for Amiens

Book outward and return trains together for your actual dates.Arrange luggage storage at your accommodation.Check that Chroma runs on your evening (27 Nov–27 Dec).Note the closing days: museum on Monday, Jules Verne house and towers on Tuesday.Check the Saturday bus offer with Ametis before relying on it.Save tickets, addresses and connections offline.Leave space in your bag for gifts.

Six routes for your Amiens weekend

The guide includes six suggested itineraries, from a train day trip to a two-stage family weekend, plus a table that matches each route to what you need to check. It is written for travellers without a car.

Arrival, buses and late connections explained
Three accommodation areas compared
Routes for culture, Saint-Leu, Chroma and families

Get the guide PDF · 50 pages · English, Spanish or German edition

QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

How far is the Amiens Christmas market from the station?

The market organiser describes Gare d’Amiens as within walking distance of the first chalets, with rue de Noyon leading to the market area. Whether the walk suits you depends on luggage, mobility and your first destination. For other places in the city, the guide recommends the current Ametis journey planner.

Can I see Chroma and still catch a train home from Amiens?

That depends on your connection. Chroma starts at 19:00 and the event page gives a duration of 50 minutes. Add the walk to the station and a buffer. If this does not fit your last useful train, the guide suggests a daytime cathedral visit instead or staying overnight.

Are buses free in Amiens at weekends?

The city and the market organiser state that Ametis buses are free on Saturdays. This does not cover Sundays, when services also run less often. Check the offer with the operator before travelling, and on other days use its ticket overview, contactless payment or journey planner.

Is a weekend in Amiens possible after Christmas?

Yes, the main market is announced until 30 December, closing at 17:00 on the last day. Chroma is not confirmed after 27 December and Santa’s village ends on 24 December, so plan a cultural and shopping weekend rather than one built on the early Advent activities.