Abbey of Saint-Vaast
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Arras ( / ˈærəs / ARR-əs, French: [aʁɑs] ⓘ; Picard: Aros; historical Dutch: Atrecht [ˈaːtrɛxt] ⓘ) is the prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department, which forms part of the region of Hauts-de-France; [3] before the reorganization of 2014 it was in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The historic centre of the Artois region, with a Baroque town ...
- 52–99 m (171–325 ft), (avg. 72 m or 236 ft)
- Pas-de-Calais
Plan your visit to Arras and the Pays d’Artois! Discover a city with 2,000 years of history behind it, a history told by the numerous museums from the Museum of Fine Arts to Cité Nature. Drink in the unique atmosphere of the Grand’Place, try out the themed visits and stroll along the banks of the River Scarpe or through the enchanting ...
- Beffroi d’Arras
- Place Des Héros
- Grand-Place
- Carrière Wellington
- Musée Des Beaux-Arts
- Les Boves
- Art Deco Heritage
- Quartier Des Arts
- First World War Sites
- Citadelle d’Arras
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All of the belfries in the historic County of Flanders are listed as UNESCO sites, and that goes for the proud one on Place des Héros. A lift will get you most of the way to a panoramic viewpoint, and after that you have to scale another 40 steps on a metallic spiral stairway for a bird’s eye view 75 metres above the centre of Arras. The belfry is ...
The arcaded square next to the belfry and city hall will tell you that Arras was Flemish for a lot of its history. The rectangular space is laid with cobblestones, and enclosed on three sides by regal gabled houses with arcades on the ground floor. A whopping 52 of the building facades are in France’s inventory of historic monuments. Place des Héro...
Stride down the canyon of arcaded houses on Rue de la Taillerie to Grand-Place, which also looks like it could in the Netherlands of Belgium instead of France. A total of 155 houses in a Hispano-Flemish baroque style surround this magnificent square, and only one stands out from the regimented uniformity . On the south side, at no. 35, the facade i...
In 1917 the Battle of Arras, like many in the First World War, was a British offensive that achieved minor gains at the expense of hundreds of thousands of lives. Preparations for the attack were made in late-1916 when allied engineers dug more than 20 kilometres of underground tunnels that ran from the centre of Arras all the way to the front outs...
Nearly every fine art museum in France owes its existence to the French Revolution, when the government seized precious art from the church and homes of the nobility. Their loss is our gain because museums like this in the sumptuous former Abbey of Saint-Vaast are packed with opulent art. Here in Arras Flemish and Dutch artists from the 16th and 17...
You can do this on a combined day-ticket with Carrière Wellington and the Belfry. Les Boves are the older sections of Arras’ underground tunnel network, first dug as long ago as the 900s. The intention was to link all of the city’s cellars with these tunnels, and it was a pretty easy task as Arras stands on soft chalk. In both World Wars the townsp...
As much as 80% of Arras was razed during the First World War. Where historic monuments were destroyed, like the houses on Grand-Place, the city hall or the Belfry, they were rebuilt brick by brick. But many residential areas were reconstructed in the new styles that followed the war. This goes for the long road south of the centre that starts as Ru...
A couple of streets over from Rue Gambetta is the Hôtel de Guînes on Rue des Jongleurs. This is a magnificent 18th-century mansion that has been converted into a cultural centre and performance venue. You can see what’s on the schedule in the intimate auditorium, be it theatre, music or art installations. You’ll be right at the centre of the Quarti...
North of Arras the countryside bears the scars of the First World War, to the extent that there’s still a red zone with restricted access because of unexploded shells. There are a few interesting and poignant sites to tick off, moments from the city. Closest is the discreet German military cemetery at Saint-Laurent-Blangy, where the Star of David h...
Another UNESCO site, the 17th century citadel is preserved as one of France’s 12 fortifications devised by the military architect Sebastien Prestre Vauban. These were groundbreaking technological marvels that shored up France’s borders . Except for the one in Arras, which is known as La Belle Inutile “The Beautiful Useless One” because it was never...
Arras is the capital of the historic Artois region, with a strong Flemish accent and a rich cultural heritage. Explore its gabled houses, UNESCO-listed belfry, fine arts museum, underground tunnels and more. Discover the stories of the First World War and its impact on the city.
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Feb 10, 2014 · Arras. France, Europe. An unexpected gem of a city, Artois' former capital Arras (the final 's' is pronounced) has an exceptional ensemble of Flemish-style arcaded buildings – the main squares are especially lovely at night – and two subterranean WWI sites. The city makes a good base for visits to the Battle of the Somme memorials.
5 reasons to visit. Reason n°1. It’s close by – less than 90 minutes by car from Calais or Dunkirk. Reason n°2. Arras offers something unique – climb the belfry or simply spend time enjoying the ambiance of the town. Reason n°3. It has character-filled, lively squares in the Flemish baroque style. Reason n°4. Visit the WWI tunnels or ...
The Peace of Arras in 1482 fixed the northern frontiers of modern France. From 1479 to 1484 Louis XI, after razing the walls, ordered a mass deportation of citizens. Arras was the birthplace of Maximilien de Robespierre. The French Revolution and both World Wars destroyed many of its ancient buildings.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Arras & the Artois countriesAllow yourself the time to enjoy life Do you want to ...CityRemembranceNatureSport & Leisures Architectural heritage, encounters, delicacies and crafts Explore A land of memories, memorials, international cemeteries... Discover Unspoiled countryside, hills, woods, picturesque villages... The Pays d'Artois is a breath of fresh air BREATHE IN THE FRESH AIR Hiking ...
