Les Hortillonnages, Floating garden network in Amiens, France.
Les Hortillonnages is a network of vegetable gardens spread across small islands separated by canals and narrow waterways. The gardens continue to function as working cultivation areas where farmers grow produce for local markets and their own use.
The system began when Romans drained marshland and transformed it into productive gardens to feed the growing settlement. The fundamental layout of canals and island beds has remained unchanged since then and continues to be worked in the same way.
The gardeners known as hortillons have shaped these gardens for centuries, and their work remains central to the area's identity. You can see their influence in how the plots are organized and how boats still carry fresh produce through the waterways.
The best time to visit is spring through autumn when the gardens are in full growth and boat tours are offered. The area is easily reached by bus or car from downtown, and it is wise to wear comfortable shoes as the paths along the waterways can sometimes be muddy or wet.
Many plots contain small houses and sheds built by successive generations of gardeners, each reflecting the owner's personal choices and circumstances. These structures evolved gradually from basic tool storage into genuine dwellings, and some families still live in them today.
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