Belfry Rooftop Terrace, Hôtel de Ville
The rooftop terrace of Arras's UNESCO-listed belfry is the single best viewpoint in the city, delivering a 360-degree panorama over the twin squares, the red-tile roofscape and the flat Artois plain stretching towards Lens and Douai. On a clear day you can pick out the slag heaps of the old mining basin — now reborn as the UNESCO-listed Bassin Minier — on the southern horizon.
The View
From the top you look straight down onto the geometric perfection of Grand'Place and Place des Héros — the best angle for understanding how the two squares connect and how the arcaded loges create a continuous pedestrian shelter around the perimeter. Bring a wide-angle lens or use your phone's panorama mode.
To the north, the spire of the Abbaye Saint-Vaast and the dome of the cathedral punctuate the skyline. To the south on clear days, the Vimy Ridge memorial is just visible — a sobering reminder of the Western Front that ran through this very city.
Practical Details
A lift does most of the work, though a short staircase at the top requires reasonable mobility. The terrace is partially exposed so wind can be sharp even in summer — bring a layer. The best light for photography is morning (east-facing facades lit up) or late afternoon (warm side-light on the gables).
The ticket office inside the Hôtel de Ville also sells a combined ticket that includes entry to the Boves underground tunnels beneath the square — an excellent pairing for a single visit.
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