Popular camping styles for Arras
Top campsites for hikers near Arras guide
Overview
History buffs, make your way to Arras. Hidden away in the Pas-de-Calais countryside, this northern city is brimming with Flemish-style architecture, WWI sites, and museums. Once you’ve explored the WWI tunnels, visited the UNESCO-listed citadel, and strolled around the Place des Héros, you can always hop on the train to Paris or Lille, both within easy day-trip distance. With the Channel ferry port of Calais just a 75-minute drive away, Arras is ideal for UK campers, and there are plenty of options, including roadside aires (RV parks), family-friendly campgrounds, and private Hipcamps.
Where to go
Along the Somme
Memorials and battlefields dot the countryside around Arras, tracing the lines of the Battle of the Somme, one of WWI’s most pivotal battles. South of the city, the Somme River itself affords scenic spots for riverside camping, canoeing, and fishing. Stop off in Amiens to cruise around the canals and floating gardens, or follow the river all the way to the coast, where the port town of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme is known for its medieval ramparts.
Opal Coast
West of Arras, the coastal stretch of Pas-de-Calais is known as the Opal Coast—so-called for its luminous blue waters and white-chalk cliffs. If windswept beaches, wild sand dunes, and sea-cliffs hikes sound appealing, point your campervan towards the Caps et Marais d’Opale Regional Natural Park, where beachside camping awaits at Boulogne-sur-Mer, Wimereux, and Équihan-Plage.
Lille and around
More Flemish than French, the Hauts-de-France capital of Lille is one of the few French cities where locals are more likely to order a beer than a glass of red. Swing by Lens on the way to visit the famous Louvre-Lens Museum, or continue over the Belgian border to visit Brussels, Bruges, or Ypres, all of which are less than a 90-minute drive away.
When to go
Northern France rarely sees weather extremes, making Arras a four-season destination as long as you dress accordingly. The biggest crowds pass through in July and August over the summer holidays and November and December for the city’s lively Christmas markets, but the city still makes a quieter alternative to Lille or Paris. Camping season in France runs from April through October, and many campgrounds are closed the rest of the year.
