The square features 155 individual gabled houses, all built with a consistent Flemish-Baroque aesthetic.
Beneath the square lies a 10th-century network of limestone caves and tunnels known as the Boves.
The belfry located at the square stands 75 meters tall and features a gilded lion at its summit.
During World War I, the original square was almost entirely destroyed by artillery fire and subsequently rebuilt to mimic its original appearance.
The square is architecturally connected to the Grand’Place, forming a twin-square urban layout characteristic of the region.
The ground floor of the square's buildings is defined by a continuous arcade, originally designed to keep merchants and goods dry.
Place des Héros is the historic central square of Arras, characterized by its distinctive Flemish-Baroque architectural style featuring 155 gabled houses. The square serves as the primary gateway to the Arras belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the Hôtel de Ville. Built during the 17th century, the square is notable for its continuous colonnades that shelter ground-floor commercial spaces. The plaza is connected to the adjacent Grand’Place by the narrow Rue de la Taillerie. It functions as the primary hub for the city’s weekly markets and public gatherings. Underground, the square sits atop a network of tunnels known as the Boves, which date back to the Middle Ages. The facades were meticulously reconstructed following significant destruction during World War I. The square remains a central gathering point for the local population and tourists visiting the Hauts-de-France region.
The center of the square looking toward the belfry to capture the symmetry of the gabled houses.
Visit the belfry's observation deck for an elevated view of the unique gabled rooflines across the square.
Explore the subterranean Boves tunnels, which have separate access points located near the town hall.
Plan your visit to coincide with the weekly Saturday market held directly in the square.
Do not mistake the smaller Place des Héros for the significantly larger Grand’Place, though both are worth visiting.
