Driving holidays to Cambrai

Cambrai View breaks >>

Many areas in Nord Pas de Calais were touched by the two World Wars but none so more than Cambrai that was the location for the world’s first ever tank battle. The city experienced extreme damage to its buildings and structures but over the years a great deal of effort and passion has been focused to completely rebuild, which was required at the cathedral, and to restore, as seen at the main town hall.

With such a variety of architecture, the city offers an interesting mix of buildings but it has so much more to offer any visitors. Time should be taken to enjoy the exhibitions of the Museum of Fine Arts or to meander through the delightful cave gardens. Or you could head to the large cobbled square, place Aristide-Briand, which is the main area of the city and where you can find the magnificent Belfry.

With a chocolate factory (Diot Chocolat), a local speciality for small chitterling sausages (andouillettes) and infamous mint-flavoured sweets, Bêtises de Cambrai, that are sold throughout the country, Cambrai is a culinary delight for anyone taking a short break in the city, especially those with a sweet tooth.

Museum of Fine Arts

This building houses one of the largest museums in the area and is home to a huge collection of artefacts and models tracing the history of the town as well as a fine selection of 16th to 18th-century paintings. (not shown).

Mother and daughter sightseeing

Town Hall

Hôtel de Ville was rebuilt in a neo-classical style, with imposing columns. The clock is home to the town’s two oldest residents, Martin and Martine (mechanical human figures). Make sure to visit as the clock strikes on the hour. (not shown).

Couple sightseeing

Notre Dame Cathedral

Our Lady of Cambrai in the 11th century was an abbey, becoming a Temple de la Raison during the revolution and in 1801 the diocese made it a cathedral. Architecturally imposing with impressive stained glass windows. (not shown).

Man sightseeing

The Belfry

Originally the bell tower for the church of Saint Martin, this site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most impressive buildings in Cambrai. Starting life in a gothic style in the 15th-century.
(not shown)..

Betises de Cambrai

Tour this famous sweet factory. A ‘bêtise’ is a mistake. Story tells an apprentice made an error in production but that customer liked it and it is now an infamous product of Cambrai. You can taste some samples and visit the shop.

Church of St Gery

This baroque style building is one of the most beautiful churches in the region, where the crowning feature is an outstanding 26 metre high canopy resting on four stone columns of Tournai and a 76 meter tall tower.