Two grand squares from the 17th century form the center of this northern French town, surrounded by 155 Flemish-style buildings and medieval tunnels beneath.
In northern France, Arras spreads around two grand squares lined with 155 Flemish-Baroque townhouses. Their stepped gables and stone-columned arcades create distinctive streetscapes that define the city center. You'll find medieval tunnels running 10 meters beneath the streets, a 75-meter-high belfry with panoramic views, and the Wellington Quarry where Allied soldiers left behind evidence of their preparations for the 1917 Battle of Arras. Throughout the year, the squares fill with market stalls, festival crowds, and summer concerts against the backdrop of restored 17th-century architecture.
Walking the Historic Squares
The Grand'Place and Place des Héros contain uniform rows of three- and four-story buildings with peaked facades, arched walkways, and intricate stone carvings of flowers, fruits, and geometric patterns typical of 17th-century Flemish-Baroque style. Local craftsmen rebuilt these buildings in brick after World War I, carefully reproducing the original wooden structures down to the window frames and doorways. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, market vendors continue a millennium-old tradition in the squares. You'll find regional specialties including Coeurs d'Arras biscuits in both ginger and cheese varieties, locally-brewed Atrébate beer, and seasonal produce from nearby farms.
Underground Arras
Descend 10 meters below street level into the Boves, a network of tunnels connecting cellars throughout the city center. Medieval merchants carved these chalk passages for storage, and residents later used them as shelters during World War I. Tour guides lead you through the tunnels while explaining their different uses across the centuries. At the Wellington Quarry, you'll walk through tunnels where New Zealand soldiers created an underground city for 24,000 troops before the 1917 Battle of Arras, including kitchens, sleeping quarters, and a light rail system.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Beaux-Arts Museum, housed in the former Saint-Vaast Abbey, contains collections ranging from 17th-century Dutch paintings to medieval stone sculptures. The building connects to Arras Cathedral, rebuilt after World War I following original Gothic designs. The UNESCO-listed belfry next to the Town Hall gives you views across the city's red-tiled roofs to the battlefields beyond. Inside the Town Hall, you'll find Art Deco interiors and wooden panels depicting daily life in different time periods.
Year-Round Festivals
Each July, international musicians perform at the Main Square Festival within the star-shaped walls of the Vauban Citadel, with past performers including Coldplay and David Guetta. From late November, 80 wooden chalets fill the squares for the Christmas market, the largest north of Paris. The ten-day Arras Film Festival in November screens new releases and restored classics in venues across the city, including a historic theater on Grand'Place.
Getting Around
Take the TGV high-speed train from Paris Nord station to reach Arras in 50 minutes, with regular connections also running to Lille and Amiens. If you're driving, the A1 highway connects directly to Paris and Lille. You can walk between most major sites in the city center within 15 minutes, though local buses serve the outer areas including the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.
