Arras
Colas, Jacqueline and Dede
Birthplace of Robespierre, leader of 'le terror' during the French Revolution, Arras is the capital of Pas-de-Calais. Dominated by two central squares with their 17th and 18th century white stone-built houses (many of which are replications of the originals due to bombing during WWI), the city was built on a 10th century chalk quarry. The underground passages ('Les Boves'), formed from the earlier quarrying, were later extended and used during WWI to protect Allied soldiers.
Today, guided tours of the tunnels are available, with the Carriere Wellington Museum depicting how life was for the soldiers who mined the tunnels. Tours start from the tourist office located in the Hotel de Ville. On entering the town hall, visitors are greeted by local giants... Colas, Jacqueline and son, Dédé (pictured above).
Other places of interest: The Vimy Memorial; Mont Saint Eloi; Le Musée des beaux-arts (located in the Abbaye Saint-Vaast); La Maison de Robespierre.
Today, guided tours of the tunnels are available, with the Carriere Wellington Museum depicting how life was for the soldiers who mined the tunnels. Tours start from the tourist office located in the Hotel de Ville. On entering the town hall, visitors are greeted by local giants... Colas, Jacqueline and son, Dédé (pictured above).
Other places of interest: The Vimy Memorial; Mont Saint Eloi; Le Musée des beaux-arts (located in the Abbaye Saint-Vaast); La Maison de Robespierre.
 Arras cathedral |  Vimy Memorial | 
Grand Place, Arras
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