English
Arras is a town in the Pas-de-Calais department, around 50 km south of Lille. Founded in Roman times, it became a municipality in the Middle Ages and played an important role in the region’s history.
The town developed particularly through its textile industry and famous medieval fairs. Today, Arras is renowned for its architectural heritage, especially its two magnificent Baroque squares and UNESCO-listed belfry.
In this article, we introduce the places you should not miss in Arras, its cultural and tourist activities, and the major events that bring the town to life throughout the year.
Your Private Chauffeur from Lille will be your partner for journeys in Arras. We also provide airport transfers on request.
Landmarks to Visit in Arras
During your visit to Arras, make sure you explore the Arras Museum of Fine Arts. This is an opportunity to discover notable monuments and sites and better understand the town’s rich history, including its role in the world wars and its reconstruction. The museum hosts numerous talks, exhibitions, workshops and events each year. You can also take a guided tour to uncover the secrets of this magnificent museum in Saint-Vaast Abbey, an impressive building in the classical style.
Guided tours cost between €3 and €6. However, much of the museum can be visited independently free of charge. After this cultural visit, we recommend discovering the famous Place des Héros and its UNESCO-listed belfry.
Sports enthusiasts should visit the Degouve-Brabant stadium. The stadium has hosted several major sporting events and is a must-see for football fans.
Science enthusiasts can visit the Arras science centre, in a historic building that once housed important academic institutions.
To better understand Arras’s industrial history, visit the former mills’ industrial site. Its restored buildings and green spaces offer a fascinating glimpse of the town’s industrial past.
Finally, remember to stroll around the Grand-Place, surrounded by houses with colourful Flemish façades, and admire Arras railway station, a remarkable Neoclassical building.
Walking through the cobbled lanes of the historic centre, you can admire gabled houses and charming traditional buildings that give Arras its distinctive atmosphere.
Events in Arras
If you visit Arras in March, do not miss the Polar’Arras crime fiction book fair, a key event for crime fiction readers, bringing authors and enthusiasts together.
In June, visitors can enjoy the Paraderuze festival, with a varied programme of street arts performances and entertainment.
Every Tuesday and Friday morning on the Place des Héros, and on Saturday afternoons on the Grand-Place, enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the local market, typical of the region.
Things to Do in Arras
For entertainment and relaxation, we recommend discovering the Citadelle leisure park, which covers nearly 50 hectares. It is ideal for walking, unwinding and enjoying a range of activities. If you enjoy fishing, the park has several lakes where you can fish for coarse fish and pike.
Water sports enthusiasts are also well catered for. You can go canoeing, kayaking or pedal boating. The beach is also open from July to September.
For younger visitors, Ch’ti Parc offers many attractions: a miniature harbour, go-karting, ball pools, inflatables and much more. Thrill seekers can enjoy a quad bike track. If your children love animals, visit the Parc des Grandes Prairies, which covers 15 hectares. This wildlife park has more than 500 animals and a playground with around thirty installations for children. It also has pine trees, fir trees and woodland, ideal for a walk in nature.
Around the town of Arras, several other sites are worth visiting. Arras is also less than an hour from the city of Lille. Arras’s cultural and historical treasures make it a rewarding place to visit. For transport to or from Arras, please contact us or book your chauffeur journey in Arras directly.