[3] A suburb located 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Arras, at the junction of the D341, D60 and D64 roads, by the banks of the river Scarpe.

The parish was created around the 12th century, with the church being built at Saint Aubin (the larger of the two villages).

The commune was first created in 1790 with the election of the first municipal council and the mayor, Noël Douchet, a 56-year-old farmer.

In the early 19th century, Anzin grew in population and many houses were built along the old Roman road, the Chausée Brunehaut.

The population suffered again during the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945, as more people died in battle or in captivity, while others participated in the resistance or helping prisoners to escape.