Getting There/Accommodation

Getting There

From the UK

By Train:

Take the Eurostar to Gare Lille Europe.(approximately 90 minutes.:-price varies)

Then change platforms for regular TGV trains to Arras, or walk to Lille Flanders station and take a local train.

taking 30-60 minutes.(cost about 8 euros) with SNCF

By Car- Ferry or Channel Tunnel

Ferry information click here / Eurotunnel Information click here

from Dover to Calais / Dunkirk
From Calais take the A26/E15 motorway (or from Dunkirk take the A16/E40 to Calais then join A26/E15) then take exit 7 directly into Arras. The journey is approximately 80 miles and takes about 1hour and 20minutes.

Recommended Maps: (others are available)

Michelin National Map Northern France (map 724) Map scale 1/1,000,000 this will give you an overall picture of the region with all the primary routes.

Michelin Nord-Pas-de-Calais, (Picardie Regional Map scale 1/200,000) this will provide you with an extensive coverage of primary, secondary and scenic routes for this French region.

French IGN 'Blue series' maps give excellent detailed views of the region (1/25,000) their Top 25 series cover the battlefield areas in great detail.

Blairville is approximately 8 miles south-east of Arras. If you have a sat-nav or google maps it’s easy to follow and about 20 minutes drive. However, if you are driving through Arras centre, please allow extra time as it can be quite busy during the day. (I would recommend planning the route with accurate mapping before leaving to avoid any unnecessary detours)

Map Overview for Arras - Blairville (1:250,000)

Map Overview of Blairville (1:25,000)

Map Overview for Fillievres - Arras (1:250,000)

Parking Fillievres -

Accommodation. Provided is a list of common stopovers and popular tourist websites with information.

(I can’t accept any responsibility for the standard of accommodation nor any content issues, I simply provide a link to the pages, if you find any problems please let me know and I shall alter or remove.)

Blairville is a small village with no shops bars or restaurants. The nearest café-bar is to be found in the nearby village of Wailly and some local Gites and B&B’s are available in neighbouring villages but they have mainly French speaking owners. These owners offer a true flavour of the region and its culture and make for a memorable visit, (I thoroughly recommend ‘staying with the locals’) but some people may prefer the bright lights of Arras and the comfort of English speaking proprietors.

The Somme battlefield areas are approximately 8 miles further south and there is plenty of information available via the internet on accommodation and popular routes and sites to visit so I shall add just a few but accept no responsibility for the standard of accommodation or their ratings.

I suggest you read any reviews and contact owners for more information on pricing or opening hours.

Please plan wisely and enjoy your visit. I am happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your visit to the area. My contact details are supplied and I shall do my best to reply in good time.

Websites:

Arras France Tourism Guide. Some amazing photographs and all the information you'll need for a happy visit.

click here;- arras-france.com

Arras Tourist Office / Town Hall
Place des Heros
Tel.: 00 33 (0)3 21 51 26 95
Website: explorearras.com

Somme Tourism.(for those wishing to discover more of the region)

Website: visitsomme.com

A review website of Arras Restaurants. May help give you an idea of where to dine in the town and just how many restaurants there are and how varied the cuisine can be. (Some reviews may be in French but try using google translate to read in English)

click here;- restaurantsreviewsarras

Accommodation Ideas: [for hotels see the Arras tourism webpages]

Gites and other rentals in the area around Blairville.

Gite de la Fontaine - (1 mile) Excellent accommodation and I can personally recommend. Sleeps upto 10.

(English speaking)

Roulotte de Riviere(Gypsy Caravan) -(1 mile) Unique accommodation a must view!

(English speaking)

visit:- gites-de-france.com for more ideas

Campsites:

Camping La Paille-Haute - 145 rue de Sailly - 62156 Boiry Notre Dame. Arras ( favourite of mine)

la-paille-haute.com

Camping BelleVue - 80300 Authuille, Somme, Picardy (ideal for Somme battlefields)