Arras town guide
Arras
Only an hour's drive from Calais hire car drivers can easily reach Arras within a day from the UK. Arras makes a splendid centre for exploring Northern France. Like most of the towns in this area it was severely damaged in the two World Wars. Arras has however been excellently restored to its former glory.
Start your visit at the Hotel de Ville (Town Hall) and take a walk around the town, visit the cathedral and the nearby Abbaye St Vaast which contains the Musee des Belles Arts with its paintings by Rubens, Corot and Delacroix. Back at the Hotel de Ville have a look at the "Giants" Colas and Jacqueline who can also be seen in the various town processions in the area. Next cool down with a tour of the Boves, the underground tunnel and cave system which has saved the townspeople on various occasions.
If it is Wednesday or Saturday you can buy the heart shaped chocolates called Coeurs d'Arras at a market, on other days there are plenty of shops open.
Finally, use your hire car to drive to the nearby Vimy Ridge and find out about the battlefields of World War 1.
