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A school trip to northern France provides a great opportunity to learn more about some famous events in European history, particularly if you include Arras on your itinerary. The city is packed with fascinating landmarks and museums, as you would expect of somewhere that had an important role in the Hundred Years' War and World War I. It is the 20th century conflict that had the greatest influence on what you will find today. Much of the old town district was destroyed by shelling during the Battle of Arras and hundreds of thousands of young soldiers lost their lives as British, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian forces fought German troops for more than a month in 1917. Among the most moving sights in the Arras area is the Vimy Memorial, which commemorates the Canadian servicemen who lost their lives in France during the first world war. It is situated on the Vimy Ridge battlefield and you can also see some preserved trenches during your visit. The fighting in Arras is famous for a strategy that saw British and Commonwealth soldiers billeted in tunnels dug in a quarry, which enabled them to get close to the German trenches and launch a surprise offensive. You can take your students on a tour of what is left of the underground network at the Carriere Wellington museum to give them an insight into the life the troops stationed there endured. A stroll around the centre of Arras will allow your group to see some beautiful old buildings, but they may not be what they first appear. The city's biggest square, the Grande Place, can trace its history back to the 11th century, but was largely destroyed during World War I. Rather than start again with new buildings, local people decided to put up faithful reconstructions of what had been there before. The Baroque style homes that stand there now may not be entirely authentic, but they look every bit as good as the originals. You must see the town hall, which is a painstaking recreation of an elaborate 16th century building. It includes a stunning belfry topped by the Lion d'Arras symbol, which forms part of the Belfries of Belgium and France UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arras's Citdael, which was designed by the famed military engineer Vauban, is also protected by the UN's cultural body. The fort was constructed between 1668 and 1672 but, as it has been extensively updated and restored, it is still in a good condition today. To find out more about history school trips to northern France, get in touch with Equity School Travel.
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