Douai

Douai is a city in France. Douai (in dutch: Dowaai) is a town and in the north of France in the region Nord-Pas-de-Calais of which it is a sub-capital. Located on the river Scarpe some 25 miles (40 km) from Lille and 16 miles (25 km) from Arras, Douai is home to one of the region's most impressive belfries. The population of the metropolitan area, including Lens, was 552,682 in 1999.

There are about 40 to 50 couchsurfers who live in Douai and around. This page show you how to contact them and give you some tips for your journey in Douai.

HISTORY OF DOUAI

Its site probably corresponds to that of a 4th century Roman fortress known as Duacum. The town became a flourishing textile market centre during the Middle Ages under the Counts of Flanders. Historically, it was known as Douay (Doway in English). In 1384, it passed into the domains of the Counts of Burgundy and thence in 1477 into Habsburg possessions.

In 1667, Douai was taken by the troops of Louis XIV of France, and by the 1668 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, the town was ceded to France. During successive sieges from 1710 to 1712, Douai was almost completely destroyed. By 1713, the town was fully integrated into France. Apart from the ferment of the French Revolution, it was again caught up in hostilities in World War I, and in 1918, the town was partly burned, while World War II also brought considerable damage to Douai. The town is still a transportation and commercial center for the area, which is known for its coalfield, the richest in northern France.

More informations about the History of Douai on the wikipedia:Douai !

WHAT TO VISIT ?

The Belffry

Hotel Dauphin

St Jacques Church

Bertin Park

The Chartreuse Museum

Porte de Valenciennes

The Main Hospital

The House of Associations

The Hippodrome

Porte d'Arras

Hotel d'Aoust

The Flanders' Parlment

The Women's Tower

The Theater

The "Poule"

More informations about the places to visit in Douai on the wikitravel:Douai ! You have also the possibility to check the Official Website of the Office of Tourism in english !

TIPS

Free Internet/Wifi Access

Here is a list of places in Douai where you can get a free Internet and/or Wifi access:

• X2000 - Adress: 215 rue d'Arleux - Tel: 03 27 71 18 17

Nice and Cheap Places to Eat

Nightlife

COUCHSURFERS

There are about 40 to 50 Couchsurfers who live in Douai and in the area. Feel free to contact them if you need any kind of help. To can also join the CS Group of Douai to let a post or a message, it will be read by the CS community of Douai.

Meetings

There is no CS meeting in Douai for the moment, but we will see, maybe soon in the near future. You can be updated of what happen in Douai on the CS group of the city, and even in the CS group of the Region. You can also check the CS Calendar of the area to see if there is any CS events closeby.

Coffee or a Drink

Here is a list of local Couchsurfers who could be ready to show you the city and/or have a drink with you:

Niss & Dawe, Audrey

TRANSPORTATIONS

How to get to Douai

Bus

Bicycles

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

• Police Station:

Tel: 03 27 92 38 38 or 17
Gendarmerie: Tel: 03 27 98 50 47

• Health Urgency:

Tel: 03 27 99 61 02

• Hospital:

Centre Hospitalier de Douai
BP 740 - 59507 Douai Cedex - Tel: 03 27 99 61 02 - Fax: 03 27 99 62 60

• Fireman Station:

Tel : 03 27 94 31 00 or 18

• Embassy:

Consulate's Agency of Italy
114, rue de la Cuve d'Or - F-59500 DOUAI
Tel: 03.27.98.99.99 - Fax: 03.27.98.64.83

• Emergency Doctor:

Tel : 03 27 98 00 00.

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS

This article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.wikitravel:Douai

INTERESTED LINKS

	CS Group of Douai Local Group: Douai
	CS Group and CS Wiki Page of the Region: Regional Group: Nord-Pas-de-Calais Regional CS Wiki Page: Nord-Pas-de-Calais
	CS Group and CS Wiki Page of the Country: Country Group: France Country CS Wiki Page: France

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• Douai on Wikitravel
• Douai on Hitchwiki
• Douai on Wikipedia