Arras, a Historic and Cultural Destination

 

Located in the heart of Hauts-de-France, Arras is a city rich in history, heritage, and charm. Known for its stunning squares with Flemish Baroque façades, its UNESCO-listed belfry, and its key role during World War I, the city captivates lovers of culture, history, and gastronomy.

 

MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS IN ARRAS

1. The Belfry and Place des Héros

A true symbol of the city, the Arras Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. It towers over Place des Héros, one of Arras’ two iconic squares, surrounded by magnificent Flemish-style façades that give it a unique charm.

 

2. The Grand'Place of Arras

Just a short walk from Place des Héros, the Grand'Place impresses with its vast open space and rows of gabled houses dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. This majestic square, home to markets and major events, is a testament to the city’s rich commercial past.

 

3. The Boves and Wellington Quarry

Arras hides a fascinating underground network. The Boves, tunnels carved out since the Middle Ages, offer an insight into the city’s subterranean history (often visited alongside the Belfry). Even more moving, the Wellington Quarry is an unmissable memorial recounting the strategic role these underground passages played during World War I.

 

4. The Vauban Citadel

A UNESCO-listed site, the Citadel of Arras, designed by Vauban, is a masterpiece of military architecture. Today, this historic site has been transformed into a lively district of Arras, serving as both a pleasant walking area and a venue for various outdoor events and activities.

 

5. Saint-Vaast Abbey, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Cathedral

Saint-Vaast Abbey, now home to the Museum of Fine Arts (currently closed for renovations), is an architectural gem. The museum showcases artworks from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, highlighting regional artists as well as prestigious collections of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The Cathedral, rebuilt after 1918, is a neoclassical masterpiece featuring a grand nave and an impressive organ.

 

A CITY AT THE HEART OF HISTORY

Arras played a pivotal role during major historical periods, particularly in World War I, where it was at the center of battles and military strategies. Today, several memorial sites offer a deeper understanding of this time, including the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, located just a few kilometers from the city.

 

GASTRONOMY AND ART DE VIVRE IN ARRAS

Arras is also a paradise for food lovers. Local specialties include the famous Andouillette d’Arras, Tarte au libouli, and locally brewed craft beers. The weekly markets, especially the one on Grand'Place, provide a perfect opportunity to discover regional products and flavors.

 

EXPLORING THE SURROUNDINGS OF ARRAS

Arras is ideally located for exploring other gems of the region. Within a 30-minute drive, visitors can reach the Louvre-Lens Museum, the scenic landscapes of the Scarpe-Escaut Regional Nature Park, or even the vast sandy beaches of the Opal Coast. You are on the route to the First World War battlefields, with many historical sites in the area.

 

WHY CHOOSE ARRAS FOR A GETAWAY?

Whether you’re passionate about history, fascinated by architectural heritage, or simply looking for a refreshing weekend escape, Arras will enchant you with its unique atmosphere, exceptional heritage, and a rich calendar of cultural events throughout the year.

Saint-Vaast Abbey: a Historic and Cultural Landmark

The Saint-Vaast Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery founded in 667, forms a unique ensemble with the cathedral, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Arras library.

 

The Museum of Fine Arts houses a rich collection, including : Medieval sculptures; Paintings from the Netherlands and 17th-century French artworks (notably in the "Salle des Mays");  18th-century ceramics (porcelains from Arras and Tournai);  19th-century paintings, including works from the Arras School;  A relief map of the city, dated 1716

Additionally, the museum preserves a diverse collection in its reserves, featuring graphic arts, photography, ethnography, coins, seals, and natural history.  Visitors enter the museum through a vast courtyard of honor, and the tour allows them to discover its cloister.

 

⚠️ The museum is currently closed for renovations. However, the media library remains open from Tuesday to Saturday.

 

Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Vaast Cathedral

The Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Vaast Cathedral, a Roman Catholic cathedral in classical style, was built starting in 1778. It features a Latin cross floor plan, with a wide nave measuring 26 meters, composed of six bays, flanked by side aisles separated by Corinthian columns supporting an entablature. The choir, consisting of four bays, is adorned with stained glass windows.

 

Destruction and Restoration

The First World War (1914-1918) caused severe damage to the cathedral, which was partially destroyed in 1915. Restoration work, led by Pierre Paquet, chief architect of historical monuments, began in 1920 and lasted 14 years.

 

The Grand Organ

The cathedral houses a Grand Organ, featuring 76 stops across four keyboards. Built by the Roethinger workshop in Strasbourg, its construction began in 1938, resumed in 1960, and was completed in 1962.

 

Museum of Fine Arts - 22 rue Paul Doumer - Arras- Tel. +33 321 712 643 - E-mail: musee.arras@ville-arras.fr
Notre Dame Cathedral and St Vaast : opening and Visit: a team of volunteers provides a service visit. http://arras.catholique.fr/page-12107-cathedral-arras.html

The Arras Citadel: A Military Masterpiece and Historical Landmark

 

Built by Vauban in the 17th century, the Arras Citadel was designed as a defensive stronghold but was never used in combat. A masterpiece of military architecture, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the Vauban Major Sites Network, which includes twelve representative fortifications built across France by King Louis XIV’s architect.

Demilitarized in 1993, the citadel is also a memorial site from World War II, home to the "Murs des Fusillés" (Walls of the Executed).

 

Today, the citadel has been repurposed to host residential housing, businesses, and leisure activities, including "Accrobranche" (tree-climbing adventure park) and "Cit’Loisirs," open in spring and summer. It remains a historic site, a place for walks, and a recreational space.

 

To see: Chapel, Place d'Armes, Royal Gate, Wood and Wall of the Shooted

Location: 10 minutes by car or 25 minutes on foot from the Modern hotel

Located about 30 minutes by car from Arras, the Louvre-Lens Museum stands out with its unique glass and aluminum architecture, characterized by sharp angles, elongated forms, and a sleek, minimalist design. Built on a former mining site, partly reclaimed by nature, the museum offers a fascinating cultural experience :

 

• The Time Gallery: A journey through 5,000 years of history, featuring around 250 masterpieces from Mesopotamia to the modern era. Explore sarcophagi, mosaics, bas-reliefs, sculptures, and paintings, all displayed in a fluid, open space.
• The Temporary Exhibition Gallery: Hosting new exhibitions every six months, drawn from the collections of the Louvre Paris and regional museums.
• Behind the Scenes: A glimpse into the museum's reserves and restoration workshops. Part of the Louvre Paris’s stored collection, housed in the underground vaults, is partially accessible to visitors.
• The Stage: A cultural program featuring dance, theater, cinema, opera, and puppetry, all in dialogue with the museum’s exhibitions and collections.
• The Resource Center: A free-access media library offering diverse resources for those eager to delve deeper into art history or enhance their visit.

 

Dining Options

•  On-site cafeteria and picnic area for a casual meal.
• "Le Cerisier" restaurant for a gourmet dining experience.
• The Louvre-Lens Hotel, with its restaurant and brasserie, just a short walk from the museum.

Louvre -Lens , rue Georges Bernanos , Lens - Open daily - except Tuesday - 10am to 18pm.
Admission: free access to the Gallery of Time - paying temporary exhibitions.
Tel: +33 03 21 18 62 62 . www.louvrelens.fr

Jean and Denise Letaille, farmers who are now missing, have gathered a large collection of objects found in their fields and in the surrounding countryside : shells, tank turrets, weapons, razors, combs, cigarette cases and other personal effects .

Authentic Great War military objects lost by these men from Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom. Gathered in the Letaille museum, installed in an old shed, these astonishing vestiges of trenches tell the story of the valiant soldiers who came to fight at Bullecourt in 14/18.

 

Musée Jean et Denise Letaille - Bullecourt 1917 - Tél. +33 (0)3 21 55 33 20 - mail : musee-bullecourt1917@cc-sudartois.fr - A 30mn par la route.