Arras

Day Trips

Start your day with a stroll across the Grand' Place, Arras’s iconic square lined with baroque townhouses in soft pastel hues. Listen to the bustling market vendors setting up their stalls and sample freshly baked croissants from a nearby patisserie. As the morning light dances on the cobblestones, climb the Belfry’s winding stairs for panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a cozy café overlooking the square, savoring local specialties like potjevleesch or moules-frites. Explore the Town Hall’s ornate Gothic façade and its intricate tapestries that depict Arras’s storied past. Afterwards, wander into hidden arcades to discover artisan boutiques and charming bookstores tucked between the grand buildings.

As dusk falls, return to the square to witness the light show, when the Gothic façades are bathed in color and shadow. Dine at a traditional brasserie, indulging in a hearty carbonnade flamande paired with a crisp local beer. Cap off the night with a leisurely walk through the illuminated Grand' Place, the Belfry’s silhouette standing sentinel against the twilight sky.

Descend into the mysterious Boves Caves, a labyrinth of chalk galleries carved beneath Arras’s streets. Feel the cool moisture on your skin as you navigate illuminated tunnels and discover ancient carvings. Your guide will reveal tales of medieval craftsmen who used these cellars to store wine and munitions.

Climb the ramparts that once defended the city and appreciate the strategic vantage points over the rolling battlefields. Pack a picnic to enjoy on the verdant terraces while watching paragliders drift overhead. Visit the small exhibits detailing the city’s military history dotted along the walls.

Return to street level and explore the surrounding Saint-Nicolas district, where narrow lanes reveal intimate squares. Dine at an intimate bistro serving refined French cuisine with seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms. Conclude with a nightcap at a hidden wine bar, sampling a crisp Picardy cider or a glass of Sancerre.

Travel to the Wellington Quarry just outside Arras to explore the subterranean tunnels where Allied troops prepared for the 1917 offensive. Walking through these narrow chalk galleries, imagine the soldiers’ whispered conversations and the distant echo of artillery. The preserved dugouts and mortar chambers evoke the intensity of the Great War front.

Return to the city center for a reflective visit to the Arras Memorial Museum, where personal artifacts, letters, and photographs bring history to life. Pause at the Faubourg d’Amiens cemetery to pay respects at rows of polished headstones set in lush grass. Finally, wander through the Square des Héros to admire the solemn statues dedicated to fallen heroes.

Head back to town for a quiet dinner at a historic auberge, offering dishes that nod to wartime resourcefulness like root vegetable gratin. Over dessert, savor a tarte aux pommes made from local Norman apples. Afterwards, join a guided twilight walking tour that illuminates stories of resilience etched into Arras’s wartime architecture.

Begin at the Beaux-Arts museum housed within a former Benedictine abbey, where Flemish tapestries and 17th-century paintings fill elegantly curated galleries. Admire works by Rubens, Jordaens, and local Picardy artists capturing the region’s landscapes and portraits. Warm up with a café crème in the cloistered courtyard before continuing your artful journey.

Cross to the Town Hall’s opulent reception rooms to view frescoed ceilings and gilded carvings that celebrate Arras’s civic pride. Descend into the underground archives to glimpse illuminated manuscripts and city charters centuries old. Take a break at a street-side terrace, ordering a light salade niçoise as you people-watch.

Explore the local street art scene in the university district, where colorful murals depict modern interpretations of Arras’s heritage. Grab dinner at a contemporary fusion restaurant serving local cheeses with Asian-inspired sauces. End the night with a craft beer tasting at a microbrewery, sampling experimental ales infused with hops grown in Picardy.

Head to the bustling market at Place des Héros, where vendors sell seasonal produce, cheeses, cured meats, and fresh flowers in a riot of color and scent. Chat with farmers about their organic beets and camembert, then fill your basket with brioche and berries. Sip a warm café au lait as you weave between stalls, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.

Enroll in a pastry workshop at a renowned patisserie, learning to craft choux buns and perfectly laminated croissants. Roll dough on wooden boards dusted with flour and taste-test your creations straight from the oven. Continue your culinary adventure with a guided cheese-tasting session, uncovering the subtleties of goat, cow, and mixed-milk varieties from the region.

Savor a leisurely dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant, where the chef transforms market finds into artful dishes like beetroot carpaccio and lavender-infused lamb. Pair your meal with a chilled local white wine or a sparkling cider. Finish with a decadent éclair au chocolat as you bask in the warm glow of candlelit tables.

Take a short drive to the Vimy Ridge Memorial, a monumental tribute to Canadian forces on a grassy hilltop overlooking the former battlefield. Stand under the dramatic arches and read inscriptions of fallen soldiers’ names etched in stone. Walk along the preserved trench lines to gain insight into trench warfare’s grim reality.

Explore the interactive museum exhibits detailing the 1917 battle and its strategic importance. Handle replica artifacts and watch archival footage that brings historical narratives to life. Pause at the on-site café for a light lunch, savoring a quiche Lorraine with a side salad while gazing at the rolling fields.

Return to Arras and unwind with a casual dinner at a local brasserie, sampling regional specialties like tarte flambée. Afterward, enjoy live acoustic music at a cozy wine bar, where talented local artists serenade the room with folk tunes. Reflect on the day’s poignant memories over a final glass of Picardy cider.

Begin at the medieval Saint-Nicolas Gate, one of Arras’s oldest entrances, and imagine merchants and pilgrims passing through its archway centuries ago. Meander along the adjacent city walls for panoramic views of rooftops and church spires. Stop at a nearby patisserie for a flaky kouign-amann to accompany your explorations.

Visit the imposing St. Vaast Abbey, now repurposed as a public library and cultural center, where Romanesque architecture meets contemporary art installations. Peruse shelves of medieval manuscripts and modern novels or attend a temporary exhibition in the abbey’s cloister. Grab a light lunch from a food truck parked in the abbey gardens, offering fresh salads and gourmet paninis.

Wander to the charming Place des Héros for an aperitif as street lamps glow over the baroque façades. Dine in a Michelin-recommended restaurant just off the square, savoring inventive dishes like beetroot tartare garnished with local wild herbs. Top off the evening with a decadent dessert paired with regional cider in a glass-walled terrace.

Rent a bike and pedal along the scenic Scarpe River towpath, flanked by willows and wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Pause at peaceful picnic spots to admire the reflections of swans gliding across the water. Continue through small hamlets where half-timbered houses dot the green landscape.

Stop in the village of Duisans to explore its 17th-century château and manicured French gardens. Join a local beekeeper demonstration to learn about artisanal honey production in apiaries by the riverbank. Savor a riverside lunch of crusty bread, local cheeses, and sweet honeycomb.

Return to Arras for a casual dinner at a riverside bistro overlooking the canal. Choose fresh grilled fish or a seasonal vegetable risotto while soft jazz floats across the terrace. Cap the night with a sunset cruise on a glass-roofed canal boat, watching Arras’s illuminated ramparts drift by.

Visit a microbrewery where you’ll tour fragrant hop fields and watch the brewing process from mash tun to fermenter. Smell the barley and hops as you sample pale ales infused with regional honey or wild herbs. Chat with the brewmaster about Arras’s emerging craft beer scene.

Join a guided gastronomy tour that leads you from charcuterie shops to chocolatiers, sampling chorizo-style sausages and hand-crafted truffles. Learn the art of pairing cured meats with tangy mustards and local pickles. Finish with a spoonful of artisanal ice cream in unique flavors like lavender-lime or sea salt caramel.

Return to the brewery taproom for a curated tasting flight, discovering stout, amber ale, and experimental sour varieties. Pair your flight with wood-fired pizza topped with local cheeses and roasted vegetables. End with a cozy chat around the communal fire pit beneath strings of Edison bulbs.

Take a final stroll through the hidden alleyways of Arras’s Latin Quarter, browsing independent boutiques and vintage shops for unique souvenirs. Sip an espresso at an outdoor café while watching artisans crafting leather goods in window-front workshops. Admire the ornate doorways and balconies draped with flower boxes.

Indulge in a final gourmet lunch at a rooftop restaurant offering sweeping views of the city’s roofs and belfry. Order the chef’s tasting menu, sampling delicate amuse-bouches and seasonal delicacies. Spend your last hours selecting fine wines or handcrafted ceramics from local galleries as mementos.

Celebrate your journey with a sumptuous farewell dinner in a candlelit dining room beneath frescoed ceilings. Toast with a bottle of champagne from a local vineyard as you savor plates of foie gras or poached salmon. Conclude the evening with a gentle moonlit walk around the illuminated ramparts, bidding Arras a fond au revoir.