La Citadelle

The Arras Citadel was constructed following Vauban's plans at the instigation of Louis XIV between 1668 and 1672. She is thus one of many of the famous star shaped fortresses scattered throughout France (and also Ieper).

Her primary task was to protect the kingdom from attacks by the armies of the Spanish Netherlands but the decreasing importance of Arras as a strategic site soon made her purpose redundant and she became known as La Belle inutile - Pretty (but) useless.

One of the reasons that Vauban chose this particular position is the proximity of the river Crinchon which could serve both as a source of water for the garrison but also in times of trouble as a method of filling the moat.

During the battle of Arras in 1917 the moat was at one point used as a parking lot for tanks.

The citadel is still used as a military garrison and houses the Arrageois:
601e Régiment de Circulation Routière.

The 601st Circulation Regiment

Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Vicomte de Turenne: 1611 - 1675

The citadel bears the name of Marshal Turenne.

The France of Louis XIII (as in The Three Musketeers) at the turn of the 17th Century was not as we know her today. There were still a number of principalities, and all of the Nord and much of the Pas-de-Calais was in fact held by the Spanish as the Spanish Netherlands.

Turenne was the grandson of the Prince of Orange, which is in the south of France and at that time controlled by a Dutchman (William III of Britain was a later Prince of Orange). Turenne was thus brought up as a Huguenot (or protestant).

Overcoming his physical infirmities and displaying great mental abilities Turenne was given the rank of captain in the army of his uncle: Henry of Nassau, at the age of 15.

He showed much promise fighting in the Dutch War of Independence and decided in 1630 to offer his services to France. Cardinal Richelieu gave him the rank of colonel.

Turenne continued to show enormous promise as a soldier and took part in the campaign which brought Roussillon into France.

Richelieu continued to show his trust in Turenne, despite his protestant faith which caused some aggravations at the Royal court, and in 1643 Turenne was promoted to Marshal of France.

The Fronde

The word is French for a catapult or sling and became synonymous with three rebellions by French nobles against the king. The reason for the word Fronde being that catapults were used to put in the windows of Cardinal Mazarin and his supporters who were believed to be behind all the woes of the kingdom.

At first Turenne sided with the nobles who were not sold on Louis XIII and then Louis XIV's ideas about being an absolute monarch. However he later reconciled with the young Louis XIV and commanded his armies from there on.

His opponent in the 3rd Fronde War was one of the royal princes: Louis II, Duc d'Enghien known as the Condé who had enlisted aid from the Spanish.

In 1654 Turenne and the Royal Army defeated the Spanish at Arras.

A footnote to this mini war was the fact that the Royal Army under Turenne eventually won out at the Battle of the Dunes near Dunkirk with the aid of men sent by Oliver Cromwell. Dunkirk remained an English town until eventually sold to the French by Charles II.

Part of the Spanish forces consisted of English royalists led by James Duke of York (The future James II) who came to an agreement with the Commonwealth soldiers that they wouldn't fight each other.

Throughout the following years Turenne led the armies of Louis XIV up until the battle of Sasbach in Alsace on 27 July 1657 when he was killed within the opening minutes.

Respected by friend and foe alike his body was removed under orders of Napoleon to the Invalides where it remains today.

Within the citadel

Please note that it is not usually possible to visit the interior of the citadel.
Open days are held from time to time and it is possible to organise a tour during the summer months through the Arras Tourist Office.

You MUST have photo ID with you on such a tour to get into the barracks.

The Saint Louis Chapel

Within the citadel is the oldest church in the town dedicated to Saint Louis. Built in 1673 it was later restored by Napoleon III.

An historic monument since 1920 the chapel has been forced to undergo military occupation from time to time, as a storage house and armoury.

She now serves as a memorial chapel to the Engineers.

The Thirty Years War

Within the guard house at the main gate there is a plaque placed by Louis XIV in honour of his father who had fought here in 1640.

A the beginning of the Thirty Years War France suffered a number of defeats at the hands of the Hapsburgs (Who ruled both Spain and the Holy Roman Empire). However in 1639 Cardinal Richelieu chose his moment to counter attack taking the town of Hesdin that year.

In 1640 the French won Arras from the Spanish after a long and bitter siege. A young soldier and poet by the name of Cyrano de Bergerac fought with the French.

The Spanish commander in the garrison was in fact Owen Roe O'Neil who had fled Ulster with his family during the Flight of the Earls (His grandfather was Earl of Tyrone).

The French at one point found themselves besieged themselves by a Spanish Army and things became desperate until a small force managed to break through with supplies.

Seeing his enemy re-supplied and his position becoming ever more difficult O'Neill tried a sortie during which de Bergerac was injured. The sortie failed and the following day O'Neill surrendered.

La Voie Sacrée

A more recent addition at the instigation of Colonel Philippe Gueguen has been the erection of a Voie Sacrée pillar to mark the 90th anniversary of the battle of Verdun in which the Regiment's founding formations can be found.

(Please read the page about the regiment for more information).

Portes Ouvertes - Open Day

A Squadron demonstrates their role

Once a year the Regiment holds its open day allowing the public to visit their barracks and meet the troops.

The French Defence Forces place a great stress on maintaining contact with the people.

Checking out the vehicles

There is plenty of opportunity for the youngest to engage in commando activities - obviously involving getting dirty and being painted in green and brown paint to the horror of mum and dad. For the older visitors the Regiment shows off its vehicles and armaments, explains just what its task is and their dog section are worthy champions.

Dog Team Champions in action

Nearby

CWGC Cemetery and Memorial to the Missing

You will find the British Military Cemetery immediately to the right hand side of the Citadel. There are over 2000 graves here as well as a memorial to the 35 942 missing from the battles for the area.

CWGC Cemetery and Memorials

Le Mur des Fusillés

Taking the road to the left of the Memorial and round to the rear of the citadel you come to the Mur des Fusillés which commemorates those from the various Resistance Groups shot by the Germans from 1941 to 1944.

Mur des Fusillés
The town of Arras