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The terraces of the two squares of Arras: where to sit in a unique setting?

The terraces of the two squares of Arras, where to sit under the arcades facing the baroque facades

The two famous squares of Arras, the Grand-Place and the Place des Héros, are not only jewels of architecture: they are also the places where one loves to sit down. Under the arcades or in the open air, the terraces of the cafés and restaurants offer a unique setting to have a drink or lunch, facing the baroque facades. To sit on the squares of Arras is to enjoy an atmosphere apart, between heritage and sweetness of living. A look back at the terraces of the two squares, where to sit in Arras in an exceptional setting.

Two squares to sit down

Arras possesses two exceptional squares, the Grand-Place and the Place des Héros, which count among the most beautiful in the north of France. Bordered by arcaded facades of Flemish inspiration, these squares offer a remarkable setting, unique of its kind. Beyond their architectural interest, they are also places of life, where one loves to gather and sit down. The cafés and restaurants that border them install their terraces there, offering inhabitants and visitors the possibility to have a drink or lunch in an exceptional setting. To sit on these squares is to enjoy both the heritage and the conviviality, in a warm atmosphere. The terraces of the two squares are thus privileged places of life in Arras, where the pleasure of the table and the beauty of the setting mingle. They are an integral part of the experience of the town, offering a moment of relaxation at the heart of the heritage. Whether for a coffee, a lunch or an aperitif, the terraces of the squares of Arras offer an incomparable setting. This possibility to sit facing the baroque facades constitutes one of the charms of the town. To understand the appeal of the terraces of the two squares allows one to grasp this convivial dimension of Arras. Bordered by arcaded facades, the Grand-Place and the Place des Héros are not only jewels of architecture, but also places of life where one loves to sit down. The terraces of the cafés and restaurants offer an exceptional setting to have a drink or lunch, between heritage and conviviality. To sit on these squares constitutes one of the charms of Arras, offering a moment of relaxation at the heart of a unique and warm setting.

The Grand-Place, a vast setting

The Grand-Place of Arras is the largest of the two squares, an immense space bordered by arcaded facades that impresses by its dimensions and its harmony. This exceptional setting, surrounded by houses with baroque facades of Flemish inspiration, offers a grandiose setting to sit down. The terraces installed on the Grand-Place allow one to enjoy this remarkable space, facing the alignment of the facades. To sit on the Grand-Place is to take place at the heart of one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of the region, in an atmosphere at once grandiose and convivial. The vastness of the square offers a feeling of space and openness, while the arcades bring a touch of character and authenticity. To discover the Grand-Place of Arras by sitting there is to fully live the experience of this exceptional place. The terraces offer a privileged point of view on the facades and on the animation of the square. Whether for a moment of relaxation or a meal, to sit on the Grand-Place constitutes a memorable experience, at the heart of the Arras heritage. This square, by its beauty and its scale, offers an incomparable setting to enjoy the sweetness of living. To understand the appeal of the Grand-Place allows one to grasp why it is a privileged place to sit down. A vast setting bordered by arcaded facades, it offers a grandiose and harmonious setting, unique in the region. The terraces allow one to enjoy this remarkable space, facing the baroque facades, in a grandiose and convivial atmosphere. To sit on the Grand-Place is to fully live the experience of this architectural jewel, for a moment of relaxation at the heart of the heritage of Arras.

The terraces of the two squares of Arras, where to sit under the arcades facing the baroque facades

The Place des Héros, the Petite Place

Alongside the Grand-Place, the Place des Héros, also called the Petite Place, offers a setting just as remarkable to sit down. Smaller than its neighbour, but just as beautiful, it is dominated by the belfry and also bordered by arcaded facades. Its atmosphere, more intimate, makes it a place appreciated to have a drink or lunch. The terraces of the Place des Héros allow one to enjoy this setting, at the foot of the belfry and facing the facades. To sit on the Place des Héros is to enjoy an atmosphere at once animated and warm, at the historic heart of the town. The square, which also hosts the market, is a place of life and animation, where it is good to settle down. To discover the Place des Héros by sitting there allows one to appreciate its particular charm, between the belfry and the arcades. The terraces offer a privileged setting to observe the animation of the square and to enjoy the heritage. Whether in the shade of the arcades or in the open air, to sit on the Place des Héros constitutes a pleasant experience, at the heart of Arras. This square, by its charm and its animation, offers an ideal setting for a moment of relaxation. To understand the appeal of the Place des Héros allows one to grasp why it is prized to sit down. More intimate than the Grand-Place, dominated by the belfry and bordered by arcaded facades, it offers an animated and warm atmosphere. The terraces allow one to enjoy the setting, at the foot of the belfry and facing the facades, in a place of life and animation. To sit on the Place des Héros constitutes a pleasant experience, at the historic heart of Arras, between heritage and conviviality.

Under the arcades

One of the particularities of the squares of Arras lies in their arcades, these covered galleries that border the facades. These arcades, characteristic of the architecture of the squares, offer a sheltered space, favourable to the installation of terraces. To sit under the arcades allows one to enjoy the squares in all weathers, sheltered from the sun as from the rain. These covered galleries add to the charm of the squares and offer a particular setting to sit down, between the columns and facing the open space of the square. The atmosphere under the arcades is unique, mingling the shelter of the gallery and the view on the animated square. The terraces installed under the arcades thus offer a setting at once protected and open on the spectacle of the square. This architectural particularity makes all the charm of the experience, allowing one to sit in a heritage and comfortable setting. The arcades, inherited from the architecture of the square houses, testify to the history and character of Arras. To sit there is to enjoy a unique setting, at the crossroads of heritage and conviviality. This possibility to settle under the arcades constitutes one of the assets of the terraces of Arras. To understand the charm of the arcades allows one to grasp this particularity of the terraces of Arras. Covered galleries bordering the facades, they offer a sheltered space favourable to the terraces, allowing one to enjoy the squares in all weathers. The atmosphere under the arcades, mingling shelter and view on the animated square, is unique. The terraces offer a setting at once protected and open, making all the charm of the experience. To sit under the arcades constitutes one of the assets of the squares of Arras, at the crossroads of heritage and conviviality.

PlaceTo sit down
The Grand-PlaceA vast setting, grandiose
The Place des HérosMore intimate, at the foot of the belfry
Under the arcadesA sheltered and heritage setting
In the open airFacing the baroque facades

The art of the terrace

To sit on the squares of Arras is to cultivate the art of the terrace, this sweetness of living that consists in taking one's time, settled facing a beautiful setting. The terraces of the squares invite one to relaxation, contemplation and conviviality, in an exceptional decor. To have a coffee, to savour a drink or to lunch on a terrace, facing the baroque facades, offers a moment of simple but precious pleasure. This art of the terrace, proper to Mediterranean culture but present wherever the setting lends itself, finds at Arras an ideal setting. The squares, with their beauty and their animation, offer a perfect setting for this experience. To sit is also to observe the life of the square, the passing of people, the animation of the place, in a form of permanent spectacle. This contemplative and convivial dimension makes all the charm of the terraces of Arras. The art of the terrace, at Arras, combines with the beauty of the heritage, offering a unique experience. To take the time to sit on the squares is to fully enjoy the sweetness of living of Arras, in an incomparable setting. This practice, appreciated by inhabitants as well as visitors, is part of the experience of the town. To understand the art of the terrace allows one to grasp the pleasure of sitting in Arras. To cultivate this sweetness of living is to take one's time, settled facing a beautiful setting, for relaxation and conviviality. The squares, by their beauty and their animation, offer an ideal setting for this experience. To sit is also to observe the life of the square, in a form of permanent spectacle. The art of the terrace, at Arras, combines with the beauty of the heritage, offering a unique experience and a full immersion in the sweetness of living of Arras.

Eating and having a drink

The terraces of the squares of Arras offer numerous possibilities to eat and have a drink. The cafés, brasseries and restaurants that border the squares propose a varied offer, from the simple coffee to the aperitif, from lunch to dinner. One can thus sit for a gourmet moment, in an exceptional setting. The restaurant offer around the squares allows one to discover the local gastronomy and to enjoy a meal facing the baroque facades. For those who wish to discover the good addresses, the choice is wide, between the establishments of the squares and those of the surrounding streets, as the suggestions of where to eat like a local in Arras show. To sit on the squares for a meal or a drink offers a complete experience, combining gastronomy and the heritage setting. Whether to taste the local specialities, to savour a regional beer or simply to have a coffee, the terraces of the squares offer an ideal setting. This gourmet dimension is part of the appeal of the squares of Arras, where the pleasure of the table combines with the beauty of the place. To eat and have a drink on the squares is to fully enjoy the experience of Arras. To understand the restaurant offer allows one to grasp this dimension of the terraces. Cafés, brasseries and restaurants propose a varied offer, from the coffee to the aperitif, from lunch to dinner, in an exceptional setting. To sit on the squares for a meal or a drink offers a complete experience, combining gastronomy and heritage. This gourmet dimension, between local specialities and baroque setting, is part of the appeal of the squares of Arras, where the pleasure of the table combines with the beauty of the place.

Sitting down in Arras1The two squaresGrand-Place and Place des Héros2Under the arcadesA sheltered and heritage setting3The sweetness of livingEating and drinking facing the facades

The beating heart of Arras

The two squares, with their terraces, constitute the beating heart of Arras. Places of life, animation and conviviality, they are at the centre of the experience of the town. To sit there is to take part in the life of Arras, in an exceptional setting. The squares gather inhabitants and visitors, around the pleasure of settling on a terrace, of taking one's time and of enjoying the setting. This animation, combined with the beauty of the heritage, makes the squares the nerve centre of the social and convivial life of Arras. Whether during the markets, the events or simply over the days, the squares are always animated, offering a permanent spectacle. The terraces, by allowing one to sit at the heart of this animation, offer a place in the front row of the life of Arras. To sit on the squares is thus to fully live the experience of the town, between heritage and conviviality. This convivial and animated dimension makes the squares, with their terraces, an unmissable place of the experience of Arras. The beating heart of Arras is found on its squares, where it is good to sit and enjoy the sweetness of living. To understand the role of the squares as the beating heart of Arras allows one to grasp their importance. Places of life, animation and conviviality, they are at the centre of the experience of the town. To sit there is to take part in the life of Arras, in an exceptional setting that gathers inhabitants and visitors. This animation, combined with the beauty of the heritage, makes the squares the nerve centre of the convivial life of Arras. To sit on the squares is to fully live the experience of the town, at the beating heart of Arras, between heritage and sweetness of living.