30km for the ride, started off after breakfast, A hilly ride, off-road and a bit bumpy. A large apartment in Arras, two nights here, just around the corner from …
Arras Grand Place and Town hall – still used as the town hall and localparliament today. A late medieval building, completely destroyed during WW!, very nasty fighting around this area. It was rebuilt in the 1930’s to the exact plan of the original – it seems to have survived WW2 intact.
Arras is full of photogenic buildings.
We walked around the ramparts and into a park – lots of butterflies and diving ducks.
Very nice lunch in a restaurant all on it’s own in the old barracks area of the ramparts. “Tomato Cerise” I had Salad Italienne – lots of salad with burrata, artichokes, ham. Beer and a lovely glass of white wine. mmmm.
Next day to the museum.
Two beautiful carved-wood angels from the 13th century, difficult to photograph behind glass.another viewSaint Vaast, bishop of Arras in the 6th century tames a bear, which was terrorising the city. A very famous 13th century tapestry made in Arras. (Arras famous for making tapestries, such that a tapestry became known as “an Arras” – curtain – behind which … Hamlet stabs Polonius, who is hidden listening …
HAMLET [Drawing] How now! a rat? Dead, for a ducat, dead! [Makes a pass with his dagger through the arras] LORD POLONIUS [Behind] O, I am slain! [Falls and dies] (Hamlet, Act III Scene IV)
And, something completely different, in a corner all on it’s own, with no explanation … The germanic god Fro. God of fertility – as you can discern. Excavated nearby, dated 350 AD, probably from a settlement of immigrants from Germany (I discovered on Wikipedia).A flemish “Adoration of the kings”In the background angels do some housework for Mary – she has her hands full.A boy sneaks a peek from behind a pillar.
Another walk ou to the ramparts and around the park then dinner at “La Tomato cerise” I had beef Tartare with chips, Barbara had slow-cooked beef chuck in wine, rosemary and tomato sauce – very nice. Chocolate croquante with creme anglaise for dessert – chocolate mousse on crunchy base, chocolate flakes in the custard, strawberries to garnish – ah French food.
