The Café de l'Hippodrome embodies the neighbourhood café as it is loved in Arras, on avenue de l'Hippodrome, west of the centre. Far from the bustle of the two great squares, the address cultivates a sense of closeness, the kind where you come for your morning coffee, an early-evening drink and to see familiar faces. It is a landmark of everyday life, simple and warm.

A neighbourhood café away from the squares

Within the family of bars and cafés in Arras, the Café de l'Hippodrome plays a different tune from the terraces of the squares. Its neighbourhood setting, near the racecourse and within walking distance of the citadel, makes it a hub for local residents as much as a quiet stop for anyone wanting to catch their breath. You feel that spirit of a nearby estaminet, where the counter holds real importance and the pace is calmer than in the tourist heart.

Setting and atmosphere

The place favours conviviality and habit, with that relaxed atmosphere typical of local cafés. You come alone to read or chat, with colleagues for a break, or with friends for a fuss-free aperitif. This human dimension, more intimate than in the big brasseries, wins loyal regulars. For a wine bar more focused on tasting, right in the centre, Bibovino offers another take on the glass.

From the morning coffee to the evening drink

The Café de l'Hippodrome accompanies the whole day: a short black at the counter in the morning, a midday break, a shared drink as evening approaches. This range is the mark of real neighbourhood cafés, where you drop in at any hour. To continue on a lively square in the centre, Couleur Café lets you find the atmosphere of the Place des Héros terraces.

Having a drink in Arras

True to Northern culture, the café puts conviviality and sharing first. You happily draw out the conversation, put the world to rights, in that art of slowing down which may be the finest Arras habit. The more residential neighbourhood offers a restful setting, appreciated by those who prefer to avoid the crowds of the big terraces while keeping the pleasure of a café open onto the street.

Around the counter, another face of Arras

The racecourse area opens onto a quieter Arras, steps from the Vauban citadel, nicknamed the Belle Inutile, and its walks. The historic centre, with the Grand'Place, the Place des Héros and the UNESCO-listed belfry, stays reachable in a few minutes. This position lets you combine the calm of a neighbourhood café and the closeness of the great sights, a welcome balance for residents and for visitors curious to get off the beaten track.

Access and practical information

The address is easily reached on foot from the centre and from the station, and parking is generally easier than in the heart of the squares. The hours, typical of a neighbourhood café, happily stretch across the day, but it is better to check by phone depending on the moment. Without booking or ceremony, you step in as you would push the door of a familiar place: that is the whole charm of this kind of address, rooted in the life of its neighbourhood.