The term “Hortillonnages” comes from the Picard “hortillon”, itself from the late Latin “ Hortellus “, which means “small garden”.
The Hortillonnages are a group of small plots of land, surrounded by canals called “rieux”. It was originally a marsh, gradually developed from the 13th centuryth century. The waterways were canalized and then dams and mills were installed. This allowed not only to raise the land, but also to make the canals navigable.
At the end of the 16th centuryth, the Hortillonnages represent 1500 hectares of land. Peat mining and market gardening are developing there. In fact, the land on the plots is constantly humid, while being fertilized twice a year by the silt taken from the canals for their maintenance and then spread over the land. In addition, market gardeners use a boat, called a “cornet boat”. It has the double advantage of being able to dock without damaging the banks and transport up to a tonne of fruit and vegetables. The Hortillonnages were thus able to feed Amiens for several centuries.
During the Revolution, the bourgeoisie of the town of Amiens bought plots of land that they had previously rented to the Church. They employ sharecroppers, who are called “Hortillons” and “Hortillonnes”. In the 1930s, the bourgeoisie of Amiens preferred to turn to industrial activities. They therefore gradually sell their plots to the sharecroppers who exploit them.
Since 1972, the Hortillonnages have been listed in the inventory of natural monuments and sites in France. However, market gardening activity is in decline due to the appearance of large stores and the use of refrigerated trucks. From this period, the plots are gradually transformed into pleasure gardens by the people of Amiens, looking for greenery in an industrial city.
Today, the Hortillonnages represent 300 hectares of land and 65 km of canals. They constitute a space focused on nature, calm and leisure. Although around ten hortillons still carry out their market gardening activities there, the landscape has been transformed. Most of the plots are pleasure gardens, with brightly colored decorations and cabins, which can be visited in fine weather, by boat or on foot.
The document :
Cote archives : 10Z440
Technique: black & white photography
Date : 1982
Digital support
Condition of entry into the funds: donation
Storage conditions: electronic storage medium
Description: Hortillons with a cornet boat, the Hortillonnages and the cathedral in the background
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