Couple standing in front of the Canadian WW1 Memorial at Vimy RidgeImagine beginning your day in Arras, a city known as “the town of 80 poets.” Wander cobbled streets of Grand’Place, where Flemish façades glisten in the early morning light. Climb the UNESCO-listed Belfry and drink in panoramic views that will make you pause—just for a moment—to soak in the history around you.
And you — how long would you stay up there, just taking it all in ?
Arras-country-artois-tourismAnd listen… do you hear that gentle bustle? Arras’ market is an institution. Once home to France’s largest grain trade, today the square bursts with regional produce every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Artisan cheeses, golden pastries, fresh fruits—it’s a feast for the senses. Take your time, taste something new, and let the aromas guide your steps. Here, history meets hospitality in every stall.
Local produce stall at the Arras market – cheeses, vegetables and craft goodsLens invites you to slow down and look closer. Begin at Place Jean Jaurès, where locals gather in lively cafés. Then, step into the 14-18 Centre—a modern space that recounts the Great War’s impact on the region with striking detail.
And don’t miss the Louvre-Lens, home to 5,000 years of art in one luminous, open gallery. Plug in your earphones, download the museum’s app, and let expert commentaries transport you through time. Whether you’re wandering hand in hand with a loved one or exploring with friends, Lens is the perfect base for a memorable weekend.
Inside the WW1 interpretation centre at Notre-Dame-de-Lorette – Souchez
The time gallery at Louvre Lens – 5000 years of art in one spaceOn a sacred hill near Arras, memory envelopes you. At Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, the French National Necropolis rows out thousands of white crosses in quiet tribute. Descend into the Centre d’Histoire 14-18, where artefacts and personal stories reveal the human cost of war.
Then, pause before the Ring of Remembrance—a circular memorial listing over 580,000 names in alphabetical order. No flag, no hierarchy. Just a stark, moving reminder that every life mattered.
10,000 lives remembered here… it’s hard not to feel it, deep down, as you step onto this ground.
Names of fallen soldiers engraved on the panels of the Ring of Remembrance
French National Necropolis of Notre Dame de Lorette
History Center of the 14-18 Memorial Notre-Dame-de-Lorette / SouchezNext, journey to Vimy Ridge and behold the Canadian National Memorial. Towering white limestone pillars rise against the horizon, visible from miles around. Walk among preserved trenches and tunnels—the very routes once trodden by Canadian soldiers. Detailed information at the onsite interpretation centre brings the battle of April 1917 into focus: a three-day offensive with over 10,600 casualties, marking a turning point for a young nation.
Canadian WW1 Memorial at Vimy Ridge, Northern FranceNestled between the necropolis and a tranquil Garden of Peace, the Monument des Fraternisations stands as a tribute to the rare moments of humanity amid warfare. With vibrant colours and symbolic forms designed by Gérard Collin-Thiebaut, this memorial urges you to reflect on peace, even where conflict reigned.
Monument of the Fraternizations Figures
Fraternization Monument
Fraternization Monument WallImagine this: 20 metres underground in the Wellington Quarry—once a chalk tunnel dug by New Zealand soldiers. Follow your guide through a maze steeped in history. Then, as a surprise, settle in for a full English breakfast. Enjoy tea, coffee, baked beans, bacon, porridge, pancakes and marmalade in an atmosphere that is as much about remembrance as it is about comfort.
📞 Phone : +33 (0)3 21 51 26 95
📧 Email : contact@arraspaysdartois.com
📍Address : Rue Arthur Delétoille, 62000 Arras, France.
British style breakfast in the underground tunnels of the Wellington QuarryJust minutes from Lens centre, the Louvre-Lens offers a breathtaking time-travel through art. In the Galerie du Temps, marvel at artefacts spanning millennia—from Mesopotamian stele to contemporary sculpture. Download the museum’s app for expert insights. Let history and creativity walk together, hand in hand.
📞 Phone : +33 (0)3 21 18 62 62
📍Address : 99 rue Paul Bert, 62300 Lens
The time gallery at Louvre Lens – 5000 years of art in one space
At Marcel'sAfter immersing yourself in history, reward your senses with a guided craft beer tasting led by beer sommelier Luka Antonic. At Chez Marcel, you’ll learn the art of beer appreciation from sniffing to swirling—an inviting ritual perfect for both novices and connoisseurs.
📍Address : 30 Rue de la Taillerie, 62000 Arras, France.
For an authentic local experience, visit Brasserie Saint-Germain. Here, the celebrated Page 24 beer has captured hearts across the region. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour every Saturday, followed by a slow, savoury tasting session.
Price: €8 per person
📞 Phone : +33 (0)3 21 72 24 24
📍Address : 26 Route d’Arras, 62160 Aix-Noulette, France
Guided tour at Brasserie Saint Germain, home of Page 24 beerGreat weekends are made of delicious food and hearty laughter. Here are some hand-picked recommendations:
Table of Towers (4)Indulge in seasonal delights like truffle and porcini ravioli or almond profiterole while enjoying an unforgettable view of the Scarpe Valley.
📍Address : 21 Rue du Général Barbot, 62144 Mont-Saint-Eloi, France.
📧 E-mail : la-table-des-tours@orange.fr
📞 Phone : +33(0)3 21 22 31 80
Restaurant La Signature © A. Wacogne (2)Experience French cuisine in Arras’ vaulted cellars. Here, every dish is a work of art, perfectly blending passion and innovation.
📍Address : 14 Petite rue des Rapporteurs, 62000 Arras, France.
📧 E-mail : la-signature@orange.fr
📞 Phone : +33 (0)3 91 20 99 48
Alfosse7-os-moelle-128-1024pix-1Step into a reconstructed mining gallery for a meal that’s local, seasonal, and full of character. Experience history on a plate!
📍Address : 94 boulevard Henri Martel, 62210 Avion, France.
🖥️ Site: https://www.alfosse7.fr/
📞 Phone : +33 (0)3 21 43 06 98
L'Estaminet de Lorette / L'Abri des visiteurs © Pidz / OTLLThe estaminet of Lorette is located at the back of the necropolis of Notre-Dame de Lorette. It offers regional cuisine and homemade pastries, including the irresistible coffee mocha.
Ancient games await you and farm animals also sometimes walk on the terrace.
📍Address : Hameau Notre Dame de Lorette « L’Abri des Visiteurs », 62153 Ablain-St-Nazaire, France.
📞 Phone : +33(0)3 21 45 29 07
IMG_3729A cosy, creative spot where local ingredients meet culinary passion. Perfect for a comforting dinner that recalls the flavours of home.
📍Address: 13 rue des Balances, 62000 Arras, France.
📞 Phone : +33 (0)3 21 24 69 81
A barbecue hut, 3 bedrooms and a common living room…smells like a vacation with friends, doesn’t it? Imagine a barbecue hut with three bedrooms and a large shared lounge—ideal for a friends’ getaway near Vimy Ridge and the Wellington Quarry. A place that instantly feels like home.
📍Address : 9 Rue Roger Maréchal, 62320 Acheville, France
📞 Phone : +33 (0)9 54 25 41 13
🖥️ Website : https://www.lacabanedelena.fr
la-cabane-de-lena-2020-06-20-pidz-659-web
la-cabane-de-lena-2020-06-20-pidz-930-web
la-cabane-de-lena-2020-06-20-pidz-805-hdr-webA fully renovated barn with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and space for up to 12 guests. With a spacious terrace, BBQ area and common rooms, it’s perfect for turning a good weekend into a great memory.
📍Address : 22 TER Rue Louis Blondel, 62223 ANZIN ST AUBIN
📞 Phone : +33 (0)6 25 42 65 21
🖥️ Site : http://www.lagrangeanzin.com/
gitelagrange-table-pingpong
lagrangeanzin-room-and-floor
lagrangeanzin-ponton-riviere1Friday Afternoon:
Arrive via Calais or Lille. Settle into your cosy gîte and savour a welcome dinner.
Saturday:
Begin your day at the Arras market, climb the Belfry for a panoramic view, and toast the day away with craft beer tasting.
Sunday:
Follow the WW1 memory trail through Vimy Ridge and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, then end your journey at the Louvre-Lens before heading back.
Yes, most sites are free and accessible. Signage is available in English, and several locations offer apps and VR tools.
Definitely. It’s designed to offer a mix of memory, discovery, and relaxation—perfect for intimate escapes.
You’ve got options:
By ferry : From Dover to Calais, then follow the A26 motorway to Arras, and continue via the A21 to Lens. The journey takes just over an hour from Calais.
By Eurotunnel : From Folkestone to Calais, then same route.
By train : Take the Eurostar to Lille, then a local TER train to Lens or Arras — both reachable in under an hour. Please note: it’s recommended to have a car at your disposal, as the memorial sites are spread out. Alternatively, consider booking a private tour from the town centre. Once in Arras or Lens, the town centres themselves are walkable.
Your Turn to Make Memories
History, culture, flavours, and warm encounters await you in Artois. Pack your bags and embark on a weekend that will linger in your heart long after you’ve returned home.
