Douai

At the crossroads of Paris, London and Brussels.

City that was rich in cultural terms. Old Parliament of Flanders, the city remained a center court with his court of appeal.

Dare to climb the belfry, to find out all about the carillon of Douai, which welcomes you with its refrains. From the top of the monument, you take in Douai and its surroundings.
Visit all year round: Every day at 10.30 am, 3 pm, 4.30 pm (except Monday morning). In July and August: Every day at 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.
Entrance fee (free for children under 6).

Its very architecture is most interesting. It hosts numerous works including the plan in relief dating from Vauban, paintings (Véronèse, Jean Bellegambe), statuary in its renovated chapel (several Carpeaux).
Open every day (except Tuesdays and certain public holidays), from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

New archaeological museum which houses 200,000 years of history. Small pieces of history, flint, bones, ceramics..., patiently reconstructed by archaeologists to tell the story of life in the Douaisis from the Palaeolithic to the High Middle Ages.
January-February-March-November-December: the museum opens its doors every day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. except Tuesday; April-May-September-October: the museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Tuesdays; June-July-August: the museum is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Parliament of Flanders moved in 1714 to Douai. The visit combines the discovery of the Grand Chamber, fitted out in 1762 and the functioning of the Court of Assizes of the North and the Court of Appeal North/Pas-de-Calais.
Visit possible on public holidays at 3:30 p.m. (except 1 January and 25 December); Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in July and August.
At the pier of the Palais de Justice (place Charles de Pollinchove).
Entrance fee (free for children under 6).
Visit by prior registration at the Tourist Office with proof of identity.

A trip in electric boats "Scarpe side" which will seduce you with the diversity of the banks of the Scarpe and which will also provide the opportunity to be told 1000 years of Douai history: from the merchant town of the Middle Ages to the judicial city of the 18th century.
In May, June and September: Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (departures every 30 min). In July and August: Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (departure every 30 minutes).
Paying (free for children under 6).
Meeting point: At the pier of the Palais de Justice, place Charles de Pollinchove.

You want to know more about the Gayant family, discover their history, their legend, find out what is hidden behind these giants and learn while having fun: so come and test the family treasure hunt through a notebook made up of riddles to discover at the option of the most emblematic monuments of Douai and at certain Douai traders. Each child who brings back his report card will receive a "wine wicker" diploma!
On sale at the Douai Tourist Office.

One Sunday per month from October to March, and every Sunday from April to September, the Tourist Office offers original and varied walks! With exciting themes such as: Douai alleys, Art Deco heritage, mining heritage... Come and discover Douai, for a Sunday excursion.
Paid discovery tour.
Additional information at the Douai Tourist Office.

Information points	Tourist Office of Douai
Leisure centres	Museum of La Chartreuse
Monuments	Church Saint-Jacques Collegiate Church Saint-Amé Collegiate Church Saint-Pierre Door of Arras Fonderie de Canons House of the Templiers
Performance halls	Exhibition Park Gayant Expo Theatre of Douai
Transport	Train station of Douai

The holiday Gayant ... 3 days of parade: In early July, the family Gayant Douai party on the occasion of the annual output of its giants. Traditions and activities marking the celebrations of the city by Gayant held each Sunday following July 5. Come and see Mr. and Mrs. Gayant, and their children, Jacquot, Fillon and Binbin, costumed giants of 2.40 m to 8.50 m, weighing up to 370 kg (the giants are rarer still worn today: Mr and Mrs Gayant Gayant by six men each). The most interesting moment: the reunion of the giants and Douai on Sunday mornings from 10.30am to 12pm.
The Feast of the boats: Douai Petty is the second port of France, the city makes it to honor each May 1st with this event the highlight of which is forgiveness of the boats, an outdoor mass in the middle decked barges parked Dorignies.

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Nord