The Place du Wetz d’Amain, near Square Saint-Jean, is now a major thoroughfare in Arras, but it also has a rich historical past. In the past, this square was home to a mill and a large drinking trough fed by the Crinchon. This stream, which ran through the town, was filled in in 1812, gradually transforming the square to accommodate other functions. Traces of this past can still be found today. The 16th-century Mont-Saint-Éloi refuge is one such example. It once served as a retreat for members of the Mont-Saint-Éloi abbey in the event of conflict. Nearby, Square Saint-Jean takes its name from the Saint-Jean hospital, founded in 1178 and sadly demolished in the 1960s. In the center of the square, a statue erected in 1896 in honor of Père Halluin recalls the role of this benefactor, to whom the region owes many orphanages. The statue survived both World Wars without being destroyed, becoming a symbol of resilience.
What is the origin of the name “Wetz d’Amain” ?
The name of the place du Wetz d’Amain is intriguing and often raises questions. Two explanations are generally put forward to understand its origin. The first is based on the ancient Artesian dialect, where the word “Wetz” is said to derive from the verb “wetier”, meaning “to watch” or “to keep watch”. This hypothesis could refer to a period when the site played a strategic role for the city of Arras. In fact, in the 13th century, not far from the square, stood the refuge Saint-Éloy, a veritable fortress set against the ramparts separating the town from the city. This retreat was used to protect members of the Mont-Saint-Éloi abbey in the event of conflict. It was also here that the de Chaulnes family, originally from Santerre, played an important role. In the early 15th century, their influence extended over a large part of Arras, from the city gate to the Wetz d’Amain mill. The use of the word “wetz” therefore suggests a function of vigilance and surveillance, in keeping with the defensive spirit of the time. The second explanation is more rooted in local tradition. An ordinance dating back to 1375 refers to this spot as the ” ford of Dame Emma Crespin “. The contraction of this name in Artesian dialect would have gradually evolved to become “Wetz d’Amain”. The name thus refers to a woman, Dame Emma Crespin, and to a passage or ford that she owned or marked with her presence. This version recalls the importance of roads and passageways in the Middle Ages, as well as the imprint left by the region’s influential families. Whether it’s a reference to a surveillance function or a place associated with a local figure, the name of Place du Wetz d’Amain bears witness to the complex and rich history of Arras.
Square Saint-Jean with the two towers to the rear
What can be found around the Wetz d’Amain square ?
The Place du Wetz d’Amain is surrounded by places that are a little less touristy than elsewhere, but still tell the story of Arras’ history and development. Nearby is the square Saint-Jean, once the site of the Saint-Jean hospital founded in 1178, which was transformed over time and then disappeared. The two modern towers that stand here today, built in the 20th century, give this corner of the city a very urban feel (and, above all, a great deal of height, since they each contain 18 storeys and are 54.6 metres high). They house “eagle’s nest” apartments and bear witness to Arras’ architectural revival in recent decades. Square Saint-Jean remains a popular place to stroll and pass through, between the Cité and the City.
Its location, along rue Saint-Aubert :
A little further along, you’ll find the famous green Neptune fountain, officially known as the “Pont-de-Cité fountain”. It stands at the corner of rue du 29-Juillet and rue Saint-Aubert. Built between 1864 and 1865, the fountain is the work of architect François Constant Bourgois. The sculpture that decorates it, called “Fleuve”, was created by Vital-Dubray and cast at the Ducel foundry in Pocé-sur-Cisse. Listed as a historic monument since 1988, the fountain is a useful geographical landmark for those looking for directions. In the surrounding streets, rue des Agaches leads to Abbaye Saint-Vaast and the cathedral. Rue du Général Barbot, on the other hand, leads to the city center, where you’ll find the escape game for lovers of fun adventures. This street is also home to the Red Cross, which promotes solidarity within the community. Nearby, the Arras Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) is a symbol of local economic dynamism. Housed in an elegant building, the CCI plays a central role in the development of the region’s businesses. The Place du Wetz d’Amain is surrounded by a mosaic of places, combining history, urban life and economic activity, contributing to Arras’ unique identity.
R.C.
