The Boves are former quarry spaces beneath the centre of Arras, later used as cellars and storerooms. Guided visits start from the tourism office in the town hall on Place des Héros and last about 45 minutes. Book a departure first, arrive ten minutes early and visit the Christmas market on Grand Place afterwards. The Arras Christmas Markets 2026 guide (PDF) includes a full route built around this combination.
What the Boves are
Above ground, Arras shows its façades and market life. Below, the Boves reveal spaces that helped support trade and everyday life: former quarries that were later used as cellars and storage areas, among other purposes. The guide presents them as a useful counterpart to a walk across the squares, not as a substitute for it.
They are separate from the Wellington Tunnels. Wellington is a First World War remembrance site with its own entrance and visit format. On a short trip, the guide recommends choosing one rather than squeezing both in between your arrival and an evening at the market.
Practical details before booking
Entrance: by the tourism office in the town hall on Place des Héros
Format: guided visits only
Duration: about 45 minutes, according to the English tourism description
Languages: French and English are listed; a German or Spanish tour is not promised
Arrival: reach reception ten minutes before the start
Clothing: warm layers and suitable footwear, as the Boves are cool
Access: not accessible to wheelchairs or pushchairs
Closure: closed on 25 December
Check the language of your chosen departure before paying. If confined underground spaces make you uncomfortable, do not choose the visit simply because of poor weather.
How to fit the tour into a market day
Route 3 in our guide is shaped by the booked Boves departure. Choose the time and language first, then the train connection. A workable sequence looks like this:
Before the tour: find reception in the town hall. A short look around Place des Héros is fine as long as it does not put pressure on your booking.
Beneath the squares: take the guided visit and follow the instructions given on site. Treat 45 minutes as an indication, not as the whole time between arrival and moving on.
Back above ground: take a break, then follow Rue de la Taillerie to Grand Place and spend time at the market.
Leave shopping until after the tour. You start without heavy bags, and larger purchases fit better later in the day. The market opens at noon, so a late-morning or early-afternoon tour followed by a meal and the market works well.
If no suitable tour is available
Use the architecture route instead. Walk Place des Héros, Rue de la Taillerie and Grand Place in daylight, pause, and return to one viewpoint after dark to compare the light. The guide notes that you do not have to replace a missed Boves booking with a different underground visit.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Boves and the Wellington Tunnels the same place?
No. The Boves are reached from the town hall and show underground spaces of the centre. Wellington is a separate remembrance site with its own entrance.
Can I visit the Boves with a pushchair?
No. The tourism office describes the Boves as inaccessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Are the Boves open on Christmas Day?
No. They are closed on 25 December, like the Christmas market.
Research status: 28 October 2026. Dates, opening times and other details are planning information and can change, so check the official sources before travelling.
