Arras
Arras is a city in northern France with two Baroque squares, underground chalk tunnels and First World War sites, about 50 minutes by TGV from Paris.
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Arras is a city of 42,875 residents (2023) in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France, the historic centre of the former Artois province and about 182 km north of Paris. The TGV from the Gare d'Arras reaches Paris-Nord in about 50 minutes. Its two squares, the Grand'Place and the Place des Héros, are surrounded by about 155 Flemish Baroque townhouses from the 1600s and 1700s, many rebuilt in brick after the First World War. You can climb the 75 m belfry of the town hall, part of a UNESCO listing shared with belfries in Belgium and France.
Beneath the streets lie the Boves, chalk tunnels about 10 metres down that date from the 10th century. Both World Wars saw them used as shelters, and visitors can go inside. The 17th-century Vauban Citadel, part of the Fortifications of Vauban, has been a UNESCO site since July 2008. Vimy Ridge and its memorial lie about 10 to 11 km north of the town, and the Carrière Wellington museum shows the chalk quarry tunnels the British used in 1917.
Arras in five
- Combine the Grand'Place with the BelfryThe two main squares are lined with gabled houses rebuilt after the First World War. The Belfry is a UNESCO site, so check opening hours and climbing times on the official site.
- Go underground at the Wellington QuarryThe Carrière Wellington is a former chalk quarry used by troops in 1917, now a museum. Book a guided entry ahead, and check opening days and languages on the official page.
- Plan the Vimy Memorial by car or tourThe Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a short drive north of Arras and has no useful public transport. Check visiting hours and guide availability on the official site.Lille
- Use Arras as a TGV stopTrains reach Arras from Paris Nord in about 50 minutes to an hour and from Lille in about 40 minutes. It suits a night between Paris and Calais or Dunkirk.Getting around France
- Time a visit for DecemberThe Christmas market fills the main square in late November and December. Book rooms early and wrap up, since north-France winters are damp and cold.
Need to know
- Airport
- Paris (CDG) or Lille (LIL), about 1.5 hr by road
- Getting there
- Train from Paris Nord in about 50 min–1 hr; Lille about 40 min
- Getting around
- Walking in the center; car or tour for battlefields
- Best base
- Near the Grand'Place and the station
- Time needed
- 1 day for the town; 2 with battlefields
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, quietFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Grey, mildMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Grey, mild
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Spring lightAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring light
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Green, mildMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green, mild
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh22°Low12°Long daysJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh23°Low14°Warm, fêtesJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, fêtes
- AugustPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Warm, quietAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Mild, calmSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Autumn colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh10°Low5°Remembrance daysNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Remembrance days
- DecemberRain13 rainy daysHigh8°Low4°Christmas marketDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 8°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Christmas market
Average daily high and low in Arras, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Arras
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
10
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 96%
Arras
09:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today11°7°96%Monday: Drizzle. High 11°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Tue9°3°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed9°2°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu9°2°0%Thursday: Clear. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri8°1°4%Friday: Fog. High 8°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sat10°5°10%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sun10°4°8%Sunday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 8%.
Updated 09:29 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Lilleabout 40 min by trainA big northern city with a Eurostar station and a Flemish old town.Read the guide
- Amiensabout 1 hour by carA Gothic cathedral and floating gardens.Read the guide
- Vimy Ridgeabout 15 min by carThe Canadian memorial and trenches on a ridge north of Arras.
Before you go to Arras
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Rules for Arras, checked
- Check France's entry rules on the France-Visas site before you fly. Your nationality decides whether you need a visa.Source
- Check the French customs rules on douane.gouv.fr before you carry goods, alcohol or large sums of cash into France.
- Cars must keep to 30 km/h inside the city centre boulevards. Look for the local speed signs when you drive in.
Plan around Arras
The country overview and entry basics
Read the guideAmiensCathedral city on the Somme, an hour south
Read the guideLilleFlemish brick, big city, Eurostar link
Read the guideDunkirkBeach and WWII history on the northern coast
Read the guideSchengen 90/180 daysHow your days count on a Eurostar loop
Read the guideArras FAQ
Is Arras worth visiting?
Yes if you like Flemish architecture and war history. The squares and underground quarry are compact, and it is an easy stop between Paris and Lille.
How many days do you need in Arras?
One day covers the squares, the Belfry and the Wellington Quarry. Two days lets you add the Vimy Memorial and nearby cemeteries with a car or guide.
How do you get from Paris to Arras?
Take the train from Paris Gare du Nord in about 50 minutes to an hour. Book early for lower fares, and check whether your ticket is a TGV or a regional train.
Can you visit Vimy Ridge from Arras?
Yes. The memorial is a short drive from town but public transport is sparse. Rent a car or book a guided tour, and check the official site for opening hours.
What is Arras famous for?
Its Flemish-style Grand'Place and Place des Héros, the Belfry and the Boves tunnels, and First World War sites nearby.