Ice Tiger Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Having previously made numerous visits to Ypres, I am now being adventurous and armed only with my trusty MioMap sat nav, I am exploring the unknown with two nights in Arras later this month. Mainly to go down the tunnels. The only problem is, with so little time and so much to see, I am at a loss as to how to get the most from it. To assist with my dilemma, I am asking pals to assist by posting their top 5 not to be missed sites around Arras. The Tunnels are top of my list so which other 5 would you add to it? Also if you see a burgundy (sorry regency red) 1991 Jaguar XJ40 and the driver looks bewildered feel free to say hello, Mrs Ice Tiger would welcome the distraction Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Andy, depends on how far you wish to go from Arras and what you've seen before but ...how about ... Arras Memorial to the Missing / RAF memorial / Mur des Fusillees (in Arras town centre) Tank memorial (outside Arras railway station) Vimy Ridge Neuville St Vaast (Huge French and German cemeteries) La Targette museum Fampoux/Roeux area cemeteries and memorials Bullecourt (memorial outside church; Aussie memorial nearby) for starters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doogal Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 I found Fampoux to be a good place to follow the trail of the advance on 9th April. Although I had specific family history reason to study it, as I progressed along the line of advance for the 4th Division, the remaining cemeteries punctuated the advance (as they would), so even if you do not have a specialised knowledge, it is a straightforward route, especially if you go by car - and the village of Fampoux is pleasant also. drop me a line and I will attempt to dig out some outline details of the route. I took photos along the route, and these may help you navigate the history - regards doogal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KevinEndon Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 nip up to Suchez to notre dam de lorette and the museum there, taking in the German war graves site at vimy on route. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 2 May , 2008 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Andy, depends on how far you wish to go from Arras and what you've seen before but .. Good points Chris and ones I should have covered Distance = anything up to 30/40 minutes drive from Arras Seen before = nothing in this area, not previously ventured outside the Salient. All suggestions gratefully received Andy (Doogal - pm sent) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doogal Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Good points Chris and ones I should have covered Distance = anything up to 30/40 minutes drive from Arras Seen before = nothing in this area, not previously ventured outside the Salient. All suggestions gratefully received Andy (Doogal - pm sent) Your are also only about 20 mins from Copse 125 and Gommecourt at the top end of the Somme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Andy, whatever you decide to see you will enjoy it. Chris's suggestions are doable within the parameters you state. But then, you always stay in these places longer than you intended and go just that bit further - well, I do anyway. Enjoy your trip mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 2 May , 2008 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2008 But then, you always stay in these places longer than you intended and go just that bit further - well, I do anyway. Enjoy your trip mate. Squirrel I know exactly what you mean I was going to say within 30 minutes drive but whilst typing I thought "if I'm going to drive 30 minutes I may as well drive 40! Then again why not an hour? It's only an extra 20 minutes - I never did know when to stop Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Distance = anything up to 30/40 minutes drive from Arras Anywhere from Armentieres to Albert really then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 2 May , 2008 Author Share Posted 2 May , 2008 Anywhere from Armentieres to Albert really then! You're forgetting the drive down from Calais Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 As well as the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette/Vimy cluster, juswt to the north of Arras, you have wonderful stuff to the south. The Historial de la Grande Guerre, at Peronne, would occupy two hours or more; headsets are issued in your chosen language. It's a modern museum in the old castle ruins, giving a very good view of the build-up to WWI, and generally an even-handed approach to the war and its aftermath. (Open daily 10-6; so good for a Sunday, a bank holiday, or a wet day!) Some quite good shops in Peronne (for anyone less interested in military matters), and nice 1930s architecture. I always take people to see the Lochnagar Crater, near La Boisselle just to the E of Albert. War-buffs or not, they are always totally gobsmacked at the size of the hole created by a mine explosion. (Open 24/7; signposted "La Grande Mine"). Albert itself has the fascinating Musee Somme 1916 (aka Musee des Abris), full of artifacts and reconstructed bunkers. (Daily 9-12 & 2-6) And just to the E and NE you have the Thiepval memorial, the Ulster Tower, and the Newfoundland memorial and trenches at Beaumont-Hamel. (Note that the Thiepval monument is closed for 5 weeks from 12 May, for maintenance, though the visitor centre will remain open). Oh, and you just have to stop for a snack at Avril's "Ocean Villas" tearoom, at Auchonvillers! I am going to be in Arras on 12/13 May; will look out for that Jaguar! Angela [EDIT ] Doh, just realised that I put an incomplete link here. It should have been: www.northernfrance-within90minutesofcalais.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertBr Posted 2 May , 2008 Share Posted 2 May , 2008 The tunnels are a must as is the Canadian memorial at Vimy. After visiting Vimy you could slip down to Neuville St Vaast and then cut across to the front line of 1918 and back to Arras. (See my post 'Mars Offensive 28th March 1918' for maps.) There again I am a little biased towards that battle. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 3 May , 2008 Share Posted 3 May , 2008 Mur ses Fusilees at the Citadelle is notorious for theft from vehicles: my party in a minivan was turned over in 20 seconds flat when we were just out of sight. Leave a dobermann or a lady with a handbag on guard! Police said "happens all the time, me old ami!" and issued an incident number! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 3 May , 2008 Author Share Posted 3 May , 2008 Mur ses Fusilees at the Citadelle is notorious for theft from vehicles..... Leave a dobermann or a lady with a handbag on guard! Don't have a dobermann so may have to leave Mrs Ice Tiger & her handbag guarding the car. Although I think it prudent not to tell her that she is being used as a dobermann substitute Seriously though Thanks to all for your suggestions, keep them comming Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimSmithson Posted 5 May , 2008 Share Posted 5 May , 2008 Andy Certainly lots to see as folk have suggested. Search on this Forum for Monchy le Preux, Gavrelle, Neuville-Vitasse as well as those places already mentioned. I would save the Somme visits for another time so that you can fully appreciate both that area and the one around Arras. Paul Reed's Walking Arras would also be a splendid companion. Then you have the circuit of Place des Heros and Grande Place, taking in the many sights . In the good weather this weekend I was in heaven with a Leffe Brun sat watching the world go by (and getting a trifle sunburnt!) Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krithia Posted 6 May , 2008 Share Posted 6 May , 2008 The tunnels, see link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7384227.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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