Looking back to this town, we passed several times on our way to see wife’s brother who lives near the Belgian border. Eventually, we stopped by for the Christmas market that brother told us was nice. Indeed it was, as was the town of Arras, which we came back several times. I have some posts on it but will tell you a bit more on some older new pictures found in my vault that should be in my blog, Therefore, here is my take again on the curiosities of Arras !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
For geographical reference, Arras is in dept 62 of Pas de Calais and in the region of Hauts de France of my belle France. Arras is about 45 km from Lille, and 160 km from Paris ; now 650 km from my house,on the A13 then A84 and A29 to the A1,and finally D939 to centre ville Arras. The historic monuments of Arras. All rebuilt after the Great War or WWI.
The place des Héros square is of the grand-place type which is characterized by a completely mineral aspect that can be found in many towns in the old Netherlands. This is the historic and main central square of the city. The square is located in the city center of Arras, between the city/town hall with its communal belfry and the rue de la Taillerie which connects it to the Grand-Place. The Place des Héros is rectangular and has an area of approximately 70 ares. La Petite Place takes the name of Place des Héros in 1945, in homage to the resistance fighters of the town shot during WWII, The Flemish influence is visible in particular by the scrolled gables overlooking the square, as well as the historic and main central square of the city. There are 52 building facades of the square from the 17-18C and 300 columns.The facades at Place des Héros, and especially the houses with 3 cockerels at no 9, a siren at no 13 and a whale at no 64, are superbe ! And the place of the wonderful Marché de Nöel d’Arras!
This is where the wonderful Marché de Nöel d’Arras! takes place which runs into the Grand Place , and certainly the best in the North,and the Saturday morning market . Arras’s Christmas Market takes place from the end of November to the end of December, and it has become one of the most important Christmas events organized in the North of France. It is embellished with decorations and illuminations, as well as entertainment for children and concerts.
A memorable eating place was the Côte Sud at 10, rue Gambetta The restaurant was located a stone’s throw from Arras train station and many hotels, Folks came to enjoy their Mediterranean cuisine with excellent value for money that you could had enjoyed in an atypical place: a Provençal farmhouse , We remembered vividly because with my Dad the server was from Colombia and he was delighted to speak Spanish !!! Sadly, it has closed , memories forever !
One memorable restaurant with the family in our many visits was the Café de la Paix at 6 place du Maréchal Foch , sadly it closed and in its place there is a new resto call Yummy’s Restaurant which we have not tried but reviews are good, The current building was badly damaged during WWI, and after having undergone the repairs necessary for its restoration, it was completely demolished following work to align the streets of Arras around 1925. The ground floor of the building was occupied by the café de la Paix, considered by the people of Arras as a friendly place and a gathering point during the city’s festivities. This café is integrated into the reconstruction in a classic style of the building from 1926 The Café de la Paix was followed by a shoe business, then a beauty salon. Memories forever !
The core historical of the city is along the ramparts with the oldest construction there around the bell tower or
beffroi, and by the beautiful Grand’Place. The Rue des Chariottes takes you to the Cathedral Notre Dame de l’assomption, The best to see while walking on it is the Chapelle des Chariottes, Les Chariottes take their name from Jean Acharriot who, with his wife Emmelet Huquedieu, founded the first small hospital in 1339 rue de l’Abbaye (now rue Méaulens), at the corner of the impasse des Chariottes which still exists today. The French revolution dispersed the nuns who returned in 1815. Bombarded twice during the Great War or WWI, the chapel was partially rebuilt. The convent is more or less what it was in 1789, except for the reconstructions of 1923. A house of St Francis retreat is directed by the Franciscan sisters. They are at 20-22 Rue des Chariottes
The Rue Pasteur starts at the train station to Rue Ronville/Rue Wacquez Clausson not far from the Place d’Héros, The main thing to see here is the Congregation of the Augustinian Sisters of Notre-Dame de Paris born in 1977 from the union of two hospital congregations: that of the Augustines of the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris and that of the Augustines of the Precious-Blood of Arras. The community of the Augustinian Sisters of the Precious Blood was founded in Arras in 1854 by Mgr Parisis. It comes from the union of many small diocesan congregations, such as the Teaching Sisters of Arras; the Hospitaller Sisters of Saint-Jean d’Arras; the Hospitaller Sisters of Saint-Louis de Boulogne; the Hospitaller Sisters of Montreuil; the Hospitaller Sisters of Saint-Jean de Laventie. They obtained their decree of praise in 1966 and ten years later joined the Augustines of Paris. They are at 13 Rue Pasteur.
The city of Arras on its history: https://www.arras.fr/page/decouvrez-l-histoire-d-arras
The Arras tourist office on its heritage: https://www.arraspaysdartois.com/en/the-essentials/dont-miss-the-must-sees-of-arras-the-top-10/
The local Arras country of Artois tourist office: https://www.arraspaysdartois.com/en/the-essentials/the-squares-of-arras-la-dolce-vita/
There you go folks, another dandy town in my belle France. This one taking you north to the pretty Arras ; worth the detour for its history link to WWI, wonderful architecture, and great Christmas market. Again, hope you enjoy the post on curiosities of Arras !!! as I
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 