Arques is a chief town of a canton of northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département, district of Saint-Omer.
The city is crossed by the canal of Neufossé which connects the Aa and Lys Rivers.
It is famous for its crystal manufacture and its old ship lift of Fontinettes.
Population (1999): 9,457 inhabitants for the commune and 20,054 inhabitants for the canton.