Arras (62 Pas de Calais) is another of those great towns of northern France - not much to stimulate on the outskirts, but the "centre ville" features not one but two imposing squares - the Grand' Place and Petite Place. Municipal architecture and civic pride ensure that the town centres remain impressive and supply a great backdrop for all sorts of events - parades, theatre, markets. Bethune and St Omer are similar, if on a smaller scale. Although the memory of 2 world wars is never far away in such places, there is plenty to entertain and divert, there is a lot of good shopping and some excellent restaurants.
And from 2 - 24 December there is the Annual Christmas Market with over 50 stalls and chalets selling arts and crafts and mouth-watering local specialities such as ostrich pâté or delicious, crunchy festive biscuits. Daily until 7pm in the Grand' Place.
Also the Hypermarkets in Calais are open Sundays in the run up to Christmas - 4,11, and 18 December, You can also find cheap channel crossings from Dover at this time of year.
For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk
Keywords: France,Arras,Bethune,St Omer,Calais,Christmas
