Nature things to do in Amiens: outings, workshops and family formats
Amiens is a town of water and gardens: the canals of Saint-Leu, ponds and the Hortillonnages market gardens on the edge of town, parks, rows of trees, everyday wildlife in the heart of the town. To enjoy this nature close at hand with a naturalist guide, Ecologik offers several formats: a boat tour, an outing on foot, a workshop, formats for children or for schools. This page brings together the ways in, by audience and by wish.
Amiens, a town of water and gardens
Saint-Leu, its canals and its little bridges are the best-known face of Amiens on the water side. On the edge of town, the Hortillonnages and their market gardens extend this landscape. More discreetly, parks, banks and rows of trees run through the centre — so many pieces of nature within walking distance.
Many of these places can be discovered without a car, on foot or from the water. That is what Ecologik offers: a new way of looking at the town from the nature side, without turning it into an expert’s route.
With a naturalist guide, not a tourist guide
Jules is a naturalist guide with a master’s degree in ecology, and the founder of Ecologik. The outing is designed as a time for observation: the landscape, the water, the birds, the local ways of life. Your questions are welcome, and nobody recites a script learnt by heart.
In practice: you slow down, you look, you link the town to its water — rather than rushing from one sight to the next like an express tour.
Outings by boat or on foot
The Hortillonnages getaway is the signature experience: a loop from Île au Fagot, in the heart of the Hortillonnages, in a small group, babies and dogs free. The current prices are shown at the time of booking.
To discover Amiens from the nature side on foot — around Saint-Leu, along the canals — Jules also leads walking tours of Saint-Leu and the cathedral (from Place du Don) and a combined boat and walk format. They can be booked from the calendar or on request for a group.
With children: observation, workshops, schools
For a nature outing designed for children outside school — observation, a listening game, a short workshop — the page on nature outings for children in Amiens gathers the formats outside school time.
For an educational project from a school, a holiday centre or an educational institution, the page on nature school trips in Amiens explains the approach, the possible aims and how to get in touch for a quote.
As a family, the boat tour remains accessible: separate prices for children aged 3 to 11, babies carried in arms free, dogs welcome.
Ecologik workshops
Beyond the guided outings, Jules also leads nature workshops, including a plant ink workshop that turns local plants into pigments — a short format suited to families, schools or a small group of adults.
The workshop calendar opens according to the season; for a group, a birthday or a school, a tailor-made quote is prepared (reply within 48 working hours).
An idea for a nature half-day as a family
An example route: 1) the boat getaway in the heart of the Hortillonnages, 2) on to Saint-Leu for a break on a terrace or a snack, 3) a walk along the canals or towards the nearby gardens, 4) back towards the cathedral or the centre.
Drinks, meals or purchases are paid directly to the venue: Ecologik charges for the outing and the guiding, never for the products of the places it recommends.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official Hortillonnages tour?
No. Ecologik Amiens offers a boat escapade guided by Jules, separate from the official Hortillonnages tour: that one has its own starting point, its own route and its own ticket office. The Ecologik escapade is a different local experience, along the water and through the nature of Amiens.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point depends on the tour you choose: it is always shown before booking and repeated in the confirmation email. The boat tour in the heart of the Hortillonnages starts and ends at Île au Fagot (a loop). The walking tours of Saint-Leu start at Place du Don. The boat tour through Saint-Leu returns next season.
Are dogs welcome?
Yes, dogs come free of charge. On the shared boat, one dog per booking, declared when booking so the other passengers know, kept on a lead and under the responsibility of the person accompanying it. When you book the whole boat, several dogs are possible.
Do babies take a seat on the boat?
No. Babies under 3 are free and take no seat on the boat, as they are carried in a parent’s arms. They must still be declared when booking.
Do you need to leave Amiens to enjoy nature?
No. Saint-Leu, the canals, the banks, the nearby gardens and the Hortillonnages on the edge of town already offer a lot to observe, on foot or by boat, without a car.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, several formats exist: the boat tour welcomes children, and specific outings (outside school and for schools) are offered for a young audience. See the pages on nature outings for children and on nature school trips.
Is it a sporting activity?
No. The tour is guided and the pace stays calm; the outings on foot adapt to the audience. The aim is to observe and understand the town from the nature side, not to exercise.
Can you combine the boat, a workshop and a walk?
Yes, on request, through the contact page or the outings with Jules page. It is a format suited to holiday centres, schools, teams or private groups.