Arras is situated in Northern France near the border with Belgium at the confluence of the rivers Scarpe and Crinchon. It is a short drive (just over an hour) from Amiens and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The first settlement was created by the Gauls and known as Nemetacum by the Romans and after they left St Vaast became the first Bishop who endeavoured to spread Christianity throughout the region which became known as the Artois. For a time it was part of the Spanish Netherlands until it was reconquered by Louis XIII and passed back to France in 1659.

Perhaps its most famous (or should it be notorious?) citizen was Maximillien de Robespierre known as The Incorruptible who spent his early years here training to be a barrister before going on to be one of the leading figures in the French Revolution.