Port D'Aval
- Type
- Harbour
River pleasure port on the Somme in central Amiens, downstream of the Saint-Leu quarter and close to the Hortillonnages floating gardens.
Guide
Approach and anchoring
Reached by the canalised Somme from the sea at Saint-Valery or via the Canal de la Somme. Headroom and lock dimensions set by the Somme gauge, so only river cruisers and motorboats. Slow speed through the town, no overtaking under the footbridges of Saint-Leu.
Practical
Pontoons with water and electricity, dedicated to inland cruisers. Capitainerie run by the city of Amiens. All shops, supermarkets and train station within 1 km. Fuel by jerrycan at road stations, no dedicated fuel pontoon.
Ashore
The Hortillonnages, 300 ha of market gardens laced by small canals, can be visited by electric boat from the Maison des Hortillonnages, 600 m upstream. Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, stands 800 m south. Saint-Leu quarter with timber-framed houses and restaurants lines the quays on both banks.
History
The Somme was canalised through Amiens from the late eighteenth century to link the textile mills of the city to the sea at Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. The Hortillonnages date back to Roman market gardening and are still tended by a few professional gardeners who sell at the water-borne marché sur l'eau each June.
Story
Jules Verne lived in Amiens from 1871 until his death in 1905 and was a municipal councillor; his house on rue Charles Dubois, 1 km from the pontoons, is open as a museum.
Key facts
- Type
- Harbour
- Coordinates
- 49.89899, 2.29320 (49°53.94'N 2°17.59'E)
- Town
- Amiens
- Country
- France
- Updated
- July 7, 2026
Getting there
Port D'Aval lies at 49°53.94'N 2°17.59'E, that is 49.89899, 2.29320 in decimal degrees.
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