Hauts Lieux›All places›Pas-de-Calais
Legendary castlePas-de-Calais
Citadelle d'Arras
Arras
Period
Built from 1668 to 1672 on the orders of Vauban
What stands there
Bastioned pentagon of 72 hectares built by Vauban, nicknamed "la Belle Inutile" (the Beautiful Useless)
Silent bastions where, beneath Vauban's stone, the darkest memories of the two world wars come together.
Built in the shape of a star by Vauban between 1668 and 1672 after Arras was joined to France, the citadel was nicknamed "la Belle Inutile" (the Beautiful Useless) because it was never besieged. Demilitarised in 2010, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 as part of the network of Vauban fortifications.
Getting there : A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008 as part of the "Fortifications of Vauban" network; demilitarised, site freely accessible
Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.
Ambient sound
Nearby
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Vaast d'ArrasCathedral · Arras · 1.6 km
- Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Arras (Notre-Dame des Ardents)Cathedral · Arras · 1.6 km
- Arbre aux épousailles de LucheuxVenerable tree · Lucheux · 26 km
- Abbaye de FlinesCistercian abbey · Flines-lez-Raches · 31 km
- Basilique Notre-Dame de BrebièresChurch · Albert · 32 km
- Le Marronnier bicentenaire du Jardin publicVenerable tree · Cambrai · 36 km