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Rats!

Arras, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France
Monday, April 30, 2012

Not quite sure why a city would choose rats as its icon, but Arras has them everywhere.

The sun came out and we spent a glorious day wandering the streets of Arras, having a long lunch in a café on the Town Square, absorbing the fabulous culture/ architecture/ atmosphere and generally just chilling out.

We then went down the Wellington Quarry tunnels. What a magnificent tour - one for the Must-Do list.
The Wellington tunnels were dug out by New Zealanders in WWI in the lead up to the Battle of Arras in April 1917. The run for 20kms and were outfitted with running water, electric lights, kitchens, latrines, a light rail system and a fully equipped hospital.
24,000 troops hid in the tunnels for 8 days waiting to surprise the Germans.
At first the raid was a success but like most of the battles in WWI it got bogged down and soon casualties were 4000 a day.

Beffroi d'Arras

Beffroi d'Arras Get a load of that blue stuff!!!

Same same but different

Place des Heroes

No clue

Comments:

These 'giants' are brought out on saint's days and paraded around the town (Arras is not the only places to have these apparently) but the real purpose is a mystery to us too! I really must read up about them... soon.... From Kate Pegler, on May 6, 2012 at 09:06AM

Arras Cathedralpocked with bullet holes

Headless statue

Arras Cathedral

Puppy pooper

Puppy pooper pissing post

Psycho puppyThere is an election here on May 6 and I get the feeling that someone doesn't like the current president

An Irish Pub

Interesting architecture

Comments:

Having been almost flattened in the Great War, and like almost the whole of this region, they rebuilt in the original style - in this case it is Flemish. At night the tops of the buildings are all back-lit which is beautiful. At Christmas all the towns are festively decorated and Arras is always our favourite to visit for the Christmas Market. From Kate Pegler, on May 6, 2012 at 09:09AM

Interesting architecture

Grand Place

Poids PublicPoids translates to weight - but that makes no sense. Perhaps someone else can figure out what this building is

Comments:

It is a sort of weigh station - probably for produce as it is located right next to the two interconnecting squares where markets have always been held. From Kate Pegler, on May 6, 2012 at 09:10AM