Arras history

The history of Arras is a chronicle of the transformation of a Celtic settlement into a thriving commercial and religious hub. Located in the heart of the Hauts-de-France region, the city has journeyed from being a Roman garrison to the capital of the County of Artois, preserving a rich heritage from past eras.

Foundation and Ancient Period

The origins of the city date back to the Iron Age. Initially, it was the main settlement of the Celtic tribe of the Atrebates. After the conquest of Gaul by Julius Caesar, the Romans turned it into a garrison town, which was named Nemetacum. By the late Roman Empire period, the city was already known as an important fortified point.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Arras was facilitated by a successful combination of geographical and religious factors that defined its status in the Middle Ages:

• Religious Significance: A pivotal moment in the city's history was the arrival of Saint Vedast (Saint-Vaast) in the 6th century. The founding of the Saint-Vaast Abbey turned Arras into a major spiritual centre, attracting pilgrims and contributing to the growth of the urban population.
• Geography and Trade: Its location at the confluence of the Scarpe and Crinchon rivers, as well as at the crossroads of ancient trade routes, made the city an important logistics hub.
• Political Status: Arras quickly became the capital of the historical region of Artois, which ensured its administrative influence and the protection of local rulers.

Early Economy and Cultural Features

Already in the early Middle Ages, Arras became famous throughout Europe for its craftsmanship. The city's economy was built on the grain trade and, more importantly, on the textile industry.

The city became synonymous with high-quality tapestries. The fame of local masters was so great that in some languages (for example, in English and Italian), the word "arras" became a common noun for wall hangings. Furthermore, in the 12th–13th centuries, Arras was one of the centres of trouvère poetry, which cemented its reputation as a city with a rich literary and cultural tradition.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1st Century BC: The Romans found the city of Nemetacum on the site of the main settlement of the Atrebates tribe.
• 499: The appointment of Saint Vedast as the first bishop marks the city's emergence as a religious centre.
• 1180: Arras receives a city charter, promoting the growth of its political and economic independence.
• 14th Century: The peak of wool tapestry production, bringing fame to the city throughout Europe.
• 1435: Signing of the important Treaty of Arras, ending the conflict between the French Crown and Burgundy.
• 1493–1640: The city is under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs; during this time, the unique ensemble of the main squares is formed.
• 1659: Under the terms of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Arras definitively becomes part of the Kingdom of France.
• 1758: Maximilien Robespierre, one of the key figures of the French Revolution, is born in the city.
• 1914–1918: During the First World War, the city finds itself on the front line and undergoes massive destruction.
• 1917: The famous Battle of Arras takes place, during which British troops utilized a network of underground tunnels.
• 1920–1930s: A meticulous reconstruction of the historical centre is carried out, restoring its pre-war appearance.
• 2005: The Belfry of Arras is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
• 2008: The city's Citadel, designed by Marshal Vauban, also receives UNESCO World Heritage status.

Key Stages of the City's Development

The evolution of Arras is an example of how a city reinvented itself through trade, architecture, and recovery from catastrophes. Below are the major transformations that formed its modern appearance:

• The "Arrazzi" Era and Economic Prosperity (12th–14th Centuries).
  During this period, the city became the European capital of textiles. The production of luxurious tapestries brought colossal wealth to Arras, allowing for the formation of a powerful merchant class and laying the foundations for banking in the region.
• Urban Flourishing (15th–17th Centuries).
  Under the rule of the Burgundian dukes and the Spanish Crown, a unique architectural ensemble was formed. Two main squares were designed and built — the Grand-Place and the Heroes' Square (Place des Héros). Strict adherence to a unified Flemish Baroque style (brick and stone) became the first example of comprehensive urban planning.
• Vauban's Military Restructuring (Late 17th Century).
  After being annexed by France, the city was turned into a strategic outpost. The construction of the Citadel according to the design of Marshal Vauban changed the geography of the city, adding a powerful defensive complex, which later became a park zone and cultural site.
• Demolition of Walls and Industrialization (19th Century).
  The dismantling of old medieval walls allowed the city to expand beyond its historical boundaries. The construction of the railway station and wide boulevards connected Arras with the region's coal basin, turning it into an administrative and commercial hub of the industrial north.
• The Great Reconstruction (1920–1930s).
  After almost total destruction in the First World War, a resolute urban planning decision was made: not to build a modern city from scratch, but to restore the historical centre to its former appearance. This decision saved the tourism potential of Arras and preserved its architectural identity.
• Cultural and Educational Expansion (Since the 1990s).
  The opening of Artois University (1992) rejuvenated the city and diversified the economy. The inclusion of the city's sites in the UNESCO list (2005, 2008) finally cemented the transition from an agrarian-administrative profile to the status of a major centre of cultural tourism.

Architectural Mosaic: From Medieval to Art Deco

The architectural appearance of Arras is unique in that it harmoniously combines features of Flemish culture and French classicism. The urban fabric of the city was formed over centuries, yet what tourists see today is largely the result of the grand feat of 20th-century restorers who scrupulously recreated the historical centre after the devastation of the First World War.

Flemish Baroque (Spanish Period)

The calling card of Arras is the unique style that developed in the 17th century when the city belonged to the Spanish Habsburgs. This period gifted the city its famous squares — the Grand-Place (Main Square) and the Place des Héros (Heroes' Square).

• Style: Flemish Baroque.
• Characteristic Features: The use of a combination of red brick and white stone, stepped gables, and arcades on the ground floors supported by sandstone columns.
• Urban Planning Solution: Strict building regulations introduced in the 16th–17th centuries prohibited the use of wood to prevent fires and required adherence to a uniform facade line. This created a cohesive ensemble of 155 houses that looks like a unified stage set.

Gothic and Renaissance

Symbols of civic freedom and power in Arras gravitate towards the opulent forms characteristic of Northern Europe.

• Town Hall and Belfry: The Town Hall building on Heroes' Square and the adjoining bell tower (Belfry) are executed in the Flamboyant Gothic style. Although the originals suffered in wars, they were restored with incredible precision. The Belfry, crowned with a golden lion, is the city's dominant landmark and a UNESCO site.
• Features: Pointed windows, rich carved decor, spires, and openwork elements demonstrating the wealth of the medieval city.

French Classicism (18th Century)

After the final annexation of Arras to France, the architectural vector shifted towards the severity, symmetry, and grandeur typical of the Enlightenment era.

• Saint-Vaast Abbey: A huge monastic complex, rebuilt in the 18th century, represents a standard of Neoclassicism. Today, it houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the media library. The building is distinguished by monumentality, a strict rhythm of windows, and restrained decor.
• Cathedral of Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Vaast: The former abbey church, which became the cathedral, is also executed in a classical style with elements of ancient architecture (columns, porticoes).

Military Architecture (17th Century)

A special place in urban planning is occupied by the Citadel of Arras, designed by the famous military engineer Vauban by order of Louis XIV.

• Style: Fortification Classicism.
• Concept: The Citadel, nicknamed the "Useless Beauty" (as it did not participate in battles), represents a perfect pentagon with bastions. It is an example of how military function dictated form, creating an aesthetically perfect object in the process.

Art Deco and Reconstruction (1920s)

Although the city centre was restored to look "antique", the influence of 1920s–30s fashion manifested in details and in districts adjacent to the historical core.

• Style Influence: Many interiors of restored buildings, as well as facades of houses outside the two main squares (for example, in the railway station area), bear the imprint of the Art Deco style. This is expressed in geometric ornaments, the use of reinforced concrete, and stylized wrought-iron elements.

Distinguished Figures of Arras

Arras has given the world many talented people who left their mark on politics, science, and art. From medieval poets to revolutionaries and scientists, these figures shaped not only the history of the city but also that of all Europe.

• Adam de la Halle (c. 1240–1287)
  Poet, composer, and trouvère
  One of the most famous trouvères of the Middle Ages, also known as "Adam the Hunchback". He was born and created in Arras, composing the famous pastoral "The Game of Robin and Marion" here, which is considered a precursor to comic opera and secular theatre in France.
• Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794)
  Lawyer and Revolutionary
  The city's most famous native. Before leading the French Revolution and becoming a symbol of the Reign of Terror, Robespierre was a successful lawyer in Arras and a member of the local Academy. His house in the city has now been turned into a museum.
• Charles de l’Écluse (Carolus Clusius) (1526–1609)
  Botanist and physician
  A native of Arras who became one of the founders of modern botany. It was he who introduced the potato to culture in Europe and laid the foundations of the Dutch tulip industry by creating the famous botanical garden in Leiden.
• Eugène François Vidocq (1775–1857)
  Detective and criminologist
  A legendary figure with an incredible destiny: a criminal who became the founder of the French National Police (Sûreté). A native of Arras whose turbulent biography inspired Victor Hugo to create the characters of Jean Valjean and Inspector Javert in the novel "Les Misérables".
• Jean Bodel (c. 1165–1210)
  Poet and playwright
  A bright representative of the urban literature of Arras in the 12th century. His work "The Game of Saint Nicholas" is considered the first French dramatic play, in which a religious plot is intertwined with realistic scenes from the tavern life of that time.
• Guy Mollet (1905–1975)
  Statesman
  Although he was not born in Arras, his name is inextricably linked with the city's modern history. Mollet served as Mayor of Arras for 30 years (1945–1975) and was Prime Minister of France. Under his leadership, the city was restored and modernized in the post-war years.