Arras
From the CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
Arras (Atrecht in Dutch) is a city and commune in northern France, préfecture (capital) of the Pas-de-Calais département. The historic centre of the Artois region, its local speech is nonetheless characterized as a Picard dialect. Unlike many French words, the final "s" in the name should be pronounced.
Contents |
Meetings
History of Arras
Originally settled by the Celts|Celtic tribe of the Atrebates, it later became a Ancient Rome|Roman garrison town known as Atrebatum.
It is located in the former Dutch and French provinces of France|province of Artois. For many centuries, Arras was on the border between France and the Low Countries and it frequently changed hands before firmly becoming French in the late 17th century, the fortifications upgraded by Vauban helping keep it in French hands. The town was closely linked to the trade of Flanders and later became an important centre for sugar beet farming and processing as well as a prosperous market centre.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, Arras was a thriving textile town. The industry specialised in fine wool tapestries which were sold to decorate palaces and castles all over Europe. Few of these tapestries survived the French Revolution as hundreds were burnt to recover the gold thread that was often woven into them. The term Arras is still used to refer to a rich tapestry no matter where it was woven.
The Union of Atrecht (the Dutch name for Arras) was signed here in January 1579 by the Catholic principalities of the Low Countries that remained loyal to monarch|king Philip II of Spain|Philip II of Habsburg; it provoked the declaration of the Union of Utrecht later the same month.
During the World War I|First World War, Arras was near the front and a long series of battles fought nearby are known as the Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras in which a series of medieval tunnels beneath the city, unknown to the Germans, became a decisive factor in the British forces holding the city. The city, however, was heavily damaged and had to be rebuilt after the war. In the World War II|Second World War, during the invasion of France in May 1940, the town was the focus of a Battle of Arras (1940)|major British counter attack. The town was occupied by the Germans and 240 suspected French Resistance members were executed in the Arras citadel.
Tips
Here are some bars and pubs where you can have good times:
- The Baobab Kfé: nice and tropical ambiance, you will meet there some nice people, drink some nice drinks, beers and cocktail. Sometime, especially on Thursday evening, some bands do some concerts.
- The Ocean Vert: Behind the Grand Place, if you like play pool, it is the place to be. On Friday night and saturday night, this place is full of person, so to find a pool free to play at this time, it is very hard. But I suggest you to go during the week, when the place is more relaxed.
- The Equinoxe: in the same street of the Ocean Vert, it is a nice bar with some specialities from Brittany (west of France) like some drinks and some games (it's free to play it!)
- The Petit Rapporteur: It is the Wine's bar to go if you like wine from different areas. It is situated on the street which make the link between the Grand Place and the Place des Heros.
- The Vertigo: the smart, posh and fashion place in Arras. Nice nightlife place, nice atmosphere ... But if you don't like to see Fashion TV on the screen, I don't suggest you to go there.
- The Ould She Been: The real Irish Pub of Arras situated above the Place of the Trainstation.
- The Irish Pub: situated on the Place des Heros, it is not a real irish pub, cause of its french owner, but you can have some nice time there !
After midnight and 1 a.m, there are two cellars in the three places who are still open until about 5 a.m:
- The Rockstation: if you like some rock music and some 80's and 90's rythms.
- The Tao Bar: if you like techno and some electronic musics
- The Bastille: it is more destinated for the people up to 30 years old.
Transport
Bus
Bicycle
How to by a cheap bicycle in Arras:
AICM Arras
Agir et informer contre la mucoviscidose
Vous avez un vélo dont vous n’avez plus l’usage ? Vous recherchez un vélo à petit budget ?
L’AICM recherche tous types de vélos ; ils seront remis en état par un parent bénévole et seront échangés contre un don à l’AICM.
- Les vélos du cœur
Prix libre : le bénéficiaire fait un don d’un montant qu’il définit lui même. Tous les vélos sont de bonne qualité.
- Les vélos du souffle
Un vélo de très bonne qualité à partir de 40 €.
- Les vélos du facteur
Vélos de très bonne qualité avec une garantie de 1 an, de 50 à 120 €.
L’AICM a également besoin de mains bénévoles pour l’aider à réparer les vélos. Maison des sociétés, rue Aristide Briand 62000 ARRAS
- Tél : 03 21 75 25 40
- Courriel : contact@aicm-asso.com.
CouchSurfers
Meeting Organisers
Coffee or a drink
In case of Emergency
- Police Station:
- Health Urgency:
- Hospital:
- Fireman Station:
- Embassy:
- Emergency Doctor:
Media Mentions
- This article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.wikitravel:Arras
