Arras, which seemed to be no more use as a frontier fortress when the frontier moved on, was given a new lease of life in 1668 when Vauban drew up a project for strengthening the town. Vauban's plans included the building of a large pentagonal citadel, similar to the one he designed at Lille. The citadel was built on a hill just outside the abbey's walls, so the defences were altered here so that the defences from the abbey and the town came up to meet the citadel.

• Telefoon +(0)3 21 51 26 95
• E-mail arras.tourisme@wanadoo.fr
• Adress boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 62000 Arras
• Website http://www.arras.fr/tourisme/toeristische-dienst/citadel-vauban.html