Between wide meadows and a footbridge near Arras

(S/E) You can start from the Grandes Prairies car park on the Sainte-Catherine side or after the stadium car park.
Take the small concrete bridge towards the old Roller Park and follow the Route de Lens uphill.

(1) Turn right onto the gravel track. Take care when crossing the road. Continue along this track, which leads onto Rue Marcel Sembat.

(2) At the junction with Rue Anatole France, do not go straight on, but turn right, cross the bridge over the Scarpe and turn left, running alongside the buildings. Cross the footbridge and turn left onto the small path leading to the canal. There, turn left again onto the towpath, pass the lock and continue to the new footbridge.

(3) Immediately after passing under the footbridge, turn left to reach the access ramp (or the steps) near the stadium car park. Cross the footbridge and turn right to pass under the Pont de l’ex Nationale. You will enter the new Val de Scarpe garden. You can stroll around at your leisure; the main thing is to reach the next point.

(4) Once you reach the entrance to Cité Nature, walk along the building on Boulevard Robert Schuman until you reach the bridge. Just after the bridge, head down to the right to the towpath and turn right again to go under the tracks and walk alongside the Darse Méaulens. Go back up to street level to cross Rue de l’Abbé Pierre and discover the Jardin Minelle.

(5) Stroll around the garden for as long as you like; the flowers are magnificent in every season. On leaving the garden, take Rue Jules Ferry and head up to the Carrefour Baudimont. If possible, stay on the right-hand pavement.

(6) At the junction, cross Boulevard Schuman and head towards the car wash. Just before reaching it, turn right into the cul-de-sac, Chemin de la Fontaine Baudimont. This is also indicated by the arrows.

(7) At the bottom of the stairs, you’ll find yourself in the 23-hectare Grandes Prairies. You can either carry straight on to reach the start car park as quickly as possible – which will be on your right after crossing two small bridges – or turn left along the stream and explore this green space on the outskirts of town.
To reach the car park, you will need to go round the municipal buildings, which are now fenced off, either via the north (the route) or via the south through the woods. Keep the tennis courts and the indoor sports hall in your sights; you will need to walk alongside them to reach the concrete bridge leading to the car park (S/E).

This route is easy. Take care when crossing the roads. It is shaded for much of the way; a hat is recommended in hot weather.