Grand' Place, Central square in Arras, France

Grand'Place is a spacious public square in Arras surrounded by buildings with pale stone and brick facades that feature continuous covered porches beneath them. These colonnaded walkways frame the open square and house shops, cafes, and restaurants on the ground floor.

The square's origin is uncertain: one author places it on the old orchard of Saint-Vaast, another dates it to the city's beginnings, a third to Charles V. In 1004 Baudouin V of Flanders was reportedly born in a tent pitched here, and a monolith column called La Pollène was set up on the spot, removed in 1791. German artillery destroyed the gables of the Hispano-Flemish houses in World War I; Pierre Paquet restored them identically between 1919 and 1934.

The square was called the Grand Marché in the 11th century, and old city plans label it forum spatiosum. Its houses carry old shop signs such as L'Échiquier at no. 31, L'Épingle d'Or at no. 45 and Le Mouton Blanc at no. 54, preserved through the post-war rebuilding.

The square is easy to walk around and accessible from many parts of the city, with parking available nearby. Visitors can find shade under the arcades year-round, and outdoor cafe seating is available when weather permits.

The square's name changed over time: in the 11th century it was called the "Grand Marché", and old city plans label it forum spatiosum. Its area is 17,664 m², measuring 184 m by 96 m, and it is linked to the Place des Héros by the rue de la Taillerie.