Things to see and do in Cambrai

The belfry and the Grand'Place

Listed as UNESCO World Heritage, the belfry of Cambrai is a symbol of communal freedom. Built from the 15th century, it once served as the bell tower of the now-vanished church of Saint-Martin. Rising about 62 metres, it offers a sweeping view over the city and the surrounding countryside, and four statues of figures from local history stand at the corners of its upper platform. Each quarter-hour the carillon plays traditional tunes. The climb to the top is by a secured staircase and is rewarded with a 360-degree panorama that helps you locate the monuments and streets of the Cambrésis below.

The Grand'Place that the belfry overlooks is one of the liveliest spots in Cambrai. Lined with Flemish façades and brasseries, it hosts markets, flea markets and festivals. A fountain dedicated to Louis XIV recalls the city's entry into the Kingdom of France in 1677. Around the square stand the town hall with its sculpted decoration and the rare Maison Espagnole, a 16th-century painted timber building. In summer the terraces fill with strollers enjoying a local beer or an ice cream.

Notre-Dame-de-Grâce cathedral and the tomb of Fénelon

At the heart of the old town, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce cathedral is one of Cambrai's emblematic landmarks. Rebuilt in the period following the destruction of the medieval Gothic cathedral at the Revolution, it shows a sober, dignified neoclassical architecture. Its limestone façade, with columns and pediments, opens onto a luminous nave; the marble high altar and the woodwork add a baroque touch.

The cathedral holds remarkable works of art. The tomb of François Fénelon, Archbishop of Cambrai and author of Telemachus, sculpted by David d'Angers, is one of its treasures. An Italo-Byzantine painting known as the "Madonna of Cambrai" has drawn pilgrims for centuries. During services and organ concerts the nave reveals an exceptional acoustic, part of Cambrai's long musical tradition.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts and its relief map

Set in an 18th-century mansion, the Musée des Beaux-Arts is one of the oldest museums in the Hauts-de-France region. Its collections span Gallo-Roman archaeology, medieval sculpture, 17th-century Flemish painting and works of the French and European schools of the 19th and 20th centuries, with pieces by Derain, Tissot and Matisse and sculptures by Rodin and Camille Claudel. The unmissable highlight is the relief map of Cambrai in the 17th century, made for Louis XIV, which reveals the fortifications, districts and waterways of the city before its modern transformations. A workshop space lets children and families experiment with artistic techniques.

The Porte de Paris and the fortifications

Cambrai was long a fortified frontier town, and traces of its defences survive. The Porte de Paris is the most striking remnant of the ramparts inherited from the Spanish and French periods, alongside bastions and casemates such as the Saint-Fiacre bastion and the Selles redoubt. Guided walks organised by the tourist office sometimes give access to underground casemates rarely open to the public, and the rampart circuits are a good way to read the city's military past in the landscape.

The Matisse Museum at Le Cateau-Cambrésis

About 28 km from Cambrai, the Matisse Museum at Le Cateau-Cambrésis completes the cultural offer. Founded by Henri Matisse in the mid-20th century, it now occupies the former Palais Fénelon, built for the archbishops of Cambrai. Visitors discover one of the most important Matisse collections in France — paintings, drawings, sculptures and cut-paper works tracing the artist's evolution — together with works by Auguste Herbin, a pioneer of geometric abstraction born in the Cambrésis. Several bus links connect Cambrai to Le Cateau-Cambrésis; check current timetables before travelling.

Cambrai in one day: a suggested itinerary

A single day is enough to discover the historic core on foot. Here is a logical route from morning to evening.

1. Morning — the Grand'Place and the belfry. Start at the city's nerve centre. Climb the belfry to get your bearings from the top, then wander the square and its surroundings.
2. Late morning — the cathedral. A few minutes' walk away, see the luminous interior, the tomb of Fénelon and the "Madonna of Cambrai".
3. Lunch — an estaminet in the centre. Try a flamiche au maroilles, a carbonnade or a welsh.
4. Afternoon — the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Allow one to two hours for the collections and the unmissable relief map of the city.
5. Late afternoon — the Porte de Paris and a sweet treat. Finish at the fortifications and pick up some Bêtises de Cambrai as a souvenir.

The whole route is walkable in this compact centre. For travel details, see plan your visit.

What to do in Cambrai when it rains

• Visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
• Step into a confectioner's shop to watch Bêtises being made.
• Browse the covered market and taste local produce.
• Catch a show at the theatre or a concert.
• Drive out to the Matisse Museum at Le Cateau-Cambrésis.

What to do in Cambrai with family

• The belfry — a fun climb and a spectacular view (by staircase).
• The Musée des Beaux-Arts — workshops and trails for children.
• The parks — the public garden and Parc Fénelon, with lawns and play areas.
• The confectioners — tastings and souvenir tins.
• The festivals — most include programmes for younger audiences.

Continue your visit

• Visit Cambrai — the overview and practical planning.
• History of Cambrai — from Roman origins to the Battle of Cambrai 1917.
• Plan your visit — getting there, how long to stay, accessibility.