Main Square Festival
Major international music festival held every year on the first weekend of July in the Vauban-built UNESCO citadel of Arras. Over three days, world-famous pop and rock stars perform on several stages.
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Arras
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City
ℹ️Practical info — Arras
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Book your tour of the Boves (underground tunnels) well in advance, as spots fill up quickly.
- The WWI memorial sites, like Wellington Quarry, are less crowded early in the morning.
- Finding street parking near Grand'Place is tough; the Centre Européen underground garage is a safe bet.
- Climb the Belfry for the best panoramic photos of the city's unique Flemish baroque gables.
🍽 Food
🍽
Andouillette d'Arras
A local sausage specialty, best tried at traditional brasseries around Place des Héros.
🍽
Coeurs d'Arras
Heart-shaped gingerbread or chocolate treats found in local artisan bakeries.
🍽
Frites with Maroilles cheese
A hearty northern French classic available at local friteries.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Saturday morning market
Spanning the main squares, excellent for buying local cheeses and fresh produce.
🛍
Arcades of Place des Héros
Stroll under the covered walkways for independent boutiques and sweet shops.
🧘
Jardin du Gouverneur
A peaceful green space hidden right in the city center.
🧘
Banks of the Scarpe
Take a calm stroll along the riverside just outside the historic core.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Arras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department and is distinguished by its unique Flemish Baroque architecture and two expansive historic squares. The Grande Place and the Place des Héros are lined with a total of 155 gabled houses that were meticulously reconstructed following their near-total destruction during the First World War. Beneath the city lies an extensive network of limestone tunnels known as the Boves, which date back to the 10th century and were originally created for extracting building stone. During the Battle of Arras in 1917, these underground passages provided shelter and a strategic staging area for approximately 24,000 Allied soldiers. The city hall and its belfry are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites, reflecting their architectural importance and the city's historical depth. Arras was historically a preeminent center for high-quality tapestry production, leading to the use of its name as a generic term for tapestries in the English language. Today, it serves as a vital administrative, cultural, and educational hub within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: Grand' Place · Beffroi d'Arras · Carrière Wellington
- Nearby: Avion (14 km)
- Population: ~47.052
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 55 | 53 | 41 | 59 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 52 | 65 | 71 | 74 |
Live webcam – Arras
See what it looks like near Arras right now.
Arras › West: Heroes Square · 0.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- A major First World War offensive took place here in April and May 1917.
- The Arras belfry stands at a total height of 75 meters.
- The Boves tunnel network is situated about 12 meters below the city squares.
- The city hall was originally constructed in the 16th-century Gothic style.
- Arras has a population of approximately 42,000 residents in the city proper.
- The city is located at the confluence of the Scarpe and Crinchon rivers.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→16:544.3 km walk7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 26€ · Transport 0€
Start the day at the Grand'Place, surrounded by 155 unique Baroque facades. After climbing the UNESCO belfry, explore the underground world of Les Boves. Spend the afternoon admiring the art at Saint-Vaast Abbey and the cathedral, finishing with a visit to the Vauban Citadel and the moving Wellington Quarry museum.
← swipe for more places →
🚶 8'0.25 km
📍
10:05 · 47'
Place des Héros & Beffroi
Climbing the UNESCO belfry provides the best panoramic city view.
🚶 5'0.11 km
🚶 17'0.68 km
📍
12:01 · 47'
Cathédrale Saint-Vaast
A classicist cathedral featuring an impressively bright interior.
🚶 6'0.16 km
📍
12:54 · 47'
Abbaye Saint-Vaast
Houses the Fine Arts Museum within a magnificent abbey building.
🚶 27'1.18 km
🚶 42'1.94 km
📍
15:37 · 47'
Carrière Wellington
A moving museum located in the tunnels of the First World War.
09:00→15:503.9 km ride7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 32–44 €Entries 26€ · Transport 12€
Explore Arras efficiently on two wheels. Cycle from the historic central squares to the monumental abbey, then take the leafy avenues to the Vauban Citadel. End your tour at the Wellington Quarry on the outskirts, easily reachable by bike within minutes.
← swipe for more places →
🚲 4'0.25 km
🚲 3'0 km
🚲 6'0.5 km
🚲 4'0.16 km
🚲 9'1.02 km
🚲 15'1.94 km
09:00→15:434.9 km drive7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 26€ · Transport 1€
This car tour links the historic center with the outer districts. Use the underground parking at Grand'Place for the core area, then drive conveniently to the abbey, finishing the day at the Wellington Quarry and the Citadel, where parking is easy to find.
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🚗 4'0.25 km
🚗 3'0.11 km
🚗 5'0.68 km
🚗 4'0.16 km
🚗 9'1.74 km
🚗 9'1.94 km
Sights in the town Arras (8)
Frequently asked questions
What makes the squares in Arras so special?
The Grand' Place and Place des Héros are surrounded by 155 Flemish Baroque houses with uniform facades.
Can you climb the belfry?
Yes, the UNESCO-listed belfry gives a magnificent 360-degree view over the entire city.
What are the 'Boves'?
These are underground chalk cellars and tunnels used by soldiers during World War I.
Are there significant memorials nearby?
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is located just a few kilometers north of Arras.
What culinary specialty is typical?
Try the Arras chocolates, often shaped like little rats, known as Cœurs d'Arras.
Arras: where is it located?
Arras is located in Hauts-de-France, France.
Arras: what is there to see?
Highlights include Grand' Place, Beffroi d'Arras, Carrière Wellington.
Arras: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Arras: why is it worth visiting?
Arras is the capital of the Pas-de-Calais department and is distinguished by its unique Flemish Baroque architecture and two expansive historic squares.
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