Douai

Its history :
The first traces of habitation in Douai date from the VIIth century, on the Saint-Amé island.
While developing a renowned international drapery industry along the shores of the Scarpe as of the XIIth century , the town obtained its charter as a commune from the Count of Flanders in 1188.
The construction of the belfry at the heart of the magistrates' and commercial chambers symbolised these liberties as of 1390.
Douai was also a major cereal market on the Armes square. The decline of the drapery industry incited the magistrates to call for the creation of a university, which was founded in Douai in 1562.
Belonging to the Flemish Netherlands and later to Burgundy and finally taken by the Kings of Spain, the town was conquered by Louis XIVth in 1667 and reunited with France.
The King turned it into a major military centre (barracks, cannon foundry, arsenal), and then transferred the Parliament of Flanders there, which was previously in Tournai.
The administrative capital of the Nord département from 1791 until 1804, the town regained its faculties of law and the arts in the middle of the XIXth century; these were transferred to Lille in 1887.
The wars of 1914 and 1939 caused considerable destruction.
In 1945, Douai became the capital of the mining basin. The closure of the mines was a severe blow to the development of economy in the Douai region.
With the help of the state, however, the town will welcome new industries and develop its higher institutions for education and culture.

Access:
By car
A1 : Paris - Lille - Antwerp - Amsterdam
A2 : Paris - Valenciennes - Brussels
A 21 : Douai - Valenciennes
A 23 : Dunkirk - Lille - Valenciennes
A 26 : Calais - Reims - Dijon
And other key distances:
- 188 km from Paris
- 129 km from Brussels
- 125 km from the Channel Tunnel
- 162 km from Reims

By train
Paris: 1 hr 15 min. by TGV (high-speed train)
Lyon: 3 hrs 15 min. by TGV
Bordeaux: 5 hrs 01 min. by TGV
Marseilles: 6 hrs 00 by TGV
Rennes: 4 hrs 00 by TGV
Nantes: 3 hrs 40 by TGV
Montpellier: 5 hrs 54 by TGV
and also Lille
- Brussels: 38 min by the Thalys train
Lille - London: 2 hrs 01 min by Eurostar train

By air
International airports:
Lille - Lesquin, 20 min. (33 km)
Roissy - Charles de Gaulle, 1 hr 45 min. (167 km)
Brussels - Zaventem, 1 hr 45 min

The Mayor is Jacques Vernier

He is also a Regional Councillor and President of the Mixed Union for Development and Facilities of the Douai Region Industrial zones.

Other key figures in the town's history:
Jean BELLEGAMBE (born in Douai around 1470, died in Douai in 1535), named the "Master of Colours". Painted numerous religious works, triptychs and polyptyches of which the most renowned are preserved in Douai, Arras, Aix, Lille, and Leningrad. He spent his entire life in Douai

Jean-François BERENGER (born and died in Douai, 1725-1802), of a foundry family, and named commissar general of the artillery foundry in 1765 and knighted in 1775. From 1757 to 1760, he headed the foundry in Strasbourg. As of this date, he took over management of that in Douai and was to create approximately 12,000 items there (cannons and artillery).

Jean de BOLOGNE (born in Douai in 1524, died in Florence in 1608). He left Douai towards the age of 16 to enter an apprenticeship with the sculptor Jacques du Broeucq in Antwerp. He then left for Italy where he became famous and created his most remarkable sculptures in Florence and Bologna.

Charles BOURSEUL (born in Brussels in 1829, died in Saint-Céré in 1912) lived in Douai throughout his childhood until 1847. Entering the administration of the postal authorities, he presented a thesis in 1854 describing how a piece of apparatus for conversing at distance functioned. This was the telephone. Since the administration did not take his invention seriously, it was finally the Americans, including Edison and Bell, who manufactured this apparatus and perfected it. In 1889, however, he was recognised as the genuine inventor of the telephone.

Théophile BRA (born and died in Douai, 1797-1863). From a family of wood sculptors, his artistic education took place in Paris. His sculptures are highly numerous and are found in various churches in Paris, at the Versailles museum, in Lille and in Valenciennes.

Jacques and Louis BREGUET (the first born and died in Paris, 1883-1939, the second born and died in Paris, 1880-1955) were both Municipal Councillors in Douai; engineers and the constructors of aeroplanes, they created a gyroplane - the ancestor to the helicopter - in their Douai factory.

Charles-Alexandre de CALONNE (born in Douai in 1734, died in Paris in 1802) was the son of the first President of the Flanders Parliament. He was a lawyer and then became a magistrate in 1757. In 1758 he became the Attorney General to the Higher Council of the Artois region, and then General Prosecutor to the Parliament of Flanders in 1759. In 1765, he was nominated Master of Appeals at the King's State Council. In 1783, the King nominated him Controller General of Finances, and he occupied this position until 1787.

Charles-Louis CORBE (born in Douai in 1758, date of death unknown) studied sculpture - first in Douai at the Municipal School of art, then in Paris at the Royal Academy. Noticed by Merlin of Douai who called him to Paris, he sculpted a bust of the Republic in 1801 and Napoleon later commissioned him to sculpt his own. This work is exhibited at the Louvre Museum.

Henri-Edmond CROSS (born in Douai in 1856, died in Saint-Clair in 1910), real name Henri-Edmond Delacroix, spent part of his childhood in Douai. A pupil of Carolus Duran and then of Bonvin, he became associated with the independent and then belonged to the group of Seurat and Signac, neo-impressionists or pointillists. He lived above all in the South of France, where his paintings reflect the colourful luminosity. His works can be found in numerous French and foreign museums and in particular at the Douai Museum.

Marceline DESBORDES-VALMORE (born in Douai in 1786, died in Paris in 1859) led a turbulent life, at first as an actress and later as a poet and writer when following her actor husband from town to town. Her poetry, elegies, romances, and stories were highly appreciated in her time by both critics such as Sainte-Beuve and poets such as Lamartine or later Verlaine. Somewhat forgotten by the town of her birth as time went on, she is now recognised as one of the great poets of the first half of the XIXth century.

Philippe-Antoine MERLIN DE DOUAI (born in Arleux in 1754, died in Paris in 1838 studied at the Anchin College in Douai and then became a lawyer at the Flanders Parliament before 1775. He rapidly gained a reputation as a jurist, and he was elected a member of the Third State of the Bailiwick of Douai for the General Assembly in 1789, where he played an important role at the constitutive assembly. In 1791-1792, he was President of the Court of the Nord and in 1792 was elected a parliament member of the convention, where he was chosen as a member of the Committee for Public health. He also drew up the new codex for criminal and civil law. Minister for Justice then its Director during the Directorate, he became Deputy General Prosecutor then General Prosecutor of the Paris Court of Appeal and a State Councillor after the 18 Brumaire. As such, he took part in drawing up various types of codes, and then remained prosecutor at the Supreme Court of Appeal for 13 years.

Robert de DOUAI (date of birth in Douai unknown, died in Paris in 1258), physician to Marguerite de Provence, wife of Saint Louis, was the co-founder of the Sorbonne with Robert de Sorbon, who took up residence in his house thanks to the funds left to this property in his will.

Henri DUHEM (born in Douai in 1860, died in Juan-les-Pins in 1942); initially a lawyer, he decided to turn to painting. He married Marie Sergeant, also an artist. Their son Rémy was also a remarkable artist and was killed at the beginning of the 1914 war. Marie Duhem died in 1918 during the German occupation. Henri Duhem, now alone, first of all directed the town's administration following its liberation, as a member of the special delegation. He also supervised the reconstitution of the museum's collections. His numerous water colours and paintings show us an image of Douai before its decline and the turbulence of the war.

Constant DUTILLEUX (born in Douai in 1807, died in Arras in 1865) studied at Douai college. It was his brother-in-law Félix Robaut who gave him his first art lessons. He continued to study art in Paris from 1826 until 1830. Returning to Douai, he was then nominated professor of art in Arras, where he soon became established as a printer and lithographer. He opened a school in his studio, attended by a large number of pupils. He painted a great many works and showed these at all the exhibitions. He was a friend of Eugène Delacroix and Corot.

Jean-Baptiste LESTIBOUDOIS (born in Douai in 115, died in Lille in 1804) studied medicine at the University of Douai. He then specialised in botany, and moved to Lille where he was named professor of this subject by the magistrates in 1770. He attempted to conciliate classifications by Linné, Jussieu and Tournefort and published the "Botanographie Belgique".

Nicolas MARTIN called "Martin du Nord" (born in Douai in 1790, died in Lormoy in 1847) was a doctor of law and rapidly became a brilliant lawyer at the Appeals Court, where he was several time head barrister. A Municipal Councillor, substitute judge, and vice-president of the hospices, he was elected to the Chambers of Members of Parliament in 1830, where his interventions were often remarked upon. Nominated Attorney General at the Supreme Court of Appeal in 1833, he was at the same time re-elected a Member of Parliament and became secretary of the Chamber and then its vice-president in 1834. In 1836, he was named Minister of Public Works, Agriculture and Trade and as such handled one of the first railway concessions. He remained in this position until 1839, and in 1840 was named Minister for Justice and Religions - a post he was to preserve until his death.

Clubs, association, etc.:
The "Family of the Porters of Gayant" consists of 53 persons, of which 23 are collectors and 23 are porters. Dressed in white, they carry the 5 giants belonging to the Gayant family. New members begin as collectors, and then become porters. It is possible to become the "head of the viewing hole" (the porter who is closest to the viewing hole and who directs his companions), or "head of protocol".
The Gayant porters traditionally come from 5 to 6 families, from father to son or son-in-law. Recruitment takes place at the age of 18.

Not to be missed:
The Gayant Festival
On the Sunday following the 5th July and all the following week. The annual and traditional outing by the GAYANT family (from the Picardy word for "giant") is accompanied by a major folklore procession in the town on the Sunday at 15.00 hrs. The giants return takes place on the Tuesday evening on the Rue de Lambres in the town centre, amidst great festivities. Numerous activities over approximately ten days.

The "Batellerie" Festival
1st May
The "Pardon of the Batellerie" takes place every 1st May at the river landing stage of Douai-Dorignies (2nd in France after Conflans-Sainte-Honorine). At approximately 10.00 hrs, a mass is celebrated in the open air amidst the decorated barges. Competitions for decorations and various activities during the afternoon at the Château Treuffet de Dorignies.

Specialities:
"Bouclier de Gayant" (Gayant shield)
A pastry confection filled with meat and garnished with broccoli, Gouda cheese, fresh cream and eggs.

Confectionery
- "Gayantines" - one of Douai's most ancient specialities. Sweets with butter caramel paste centres, flavoured with vanilla or chicory, and coated in milk caramel.
- "Le Délice du Carillonneur" . A nut and pastry speciality in the form of a paving stone
- "Les Boulets du Ch'ti". Invented in tribute to Douai's mining past and its traditions, these are milk chocolates in the form of pieces of coal, filled with fine nut paste.

The name of these specialities are registered brand names and classified among the national heritage of French confectionery and chocolate specialities.

Beers
Bière du Démon, Bière du désert, Goldenberg, Saint-Landelin (aromatic beer from the abbey, already brewed by monks in the XIth century), Goudale (old-fashioned lager beer - high fermentation beer for keeping.).
With these exceptional beers, the Douai brewery "Les Brasseurs de Gayant", created in 1919, affirms its traditional, family and independent origins.

Cultural
The Municipal Theatre
Built in 1785, this is one of France's oldest Italian-style theatres: 450 seats.
Used for: plays, light opera - dance - lectures - cycles for schoolchildren

The Hippodrome National Theatre
2 auditoriums:
- André Malraux Hall, 700 to 1'200 seats
- André Obey Hall, 172 seats.
Over 80 performances per year (circus, opera dance, varieties, music, theatre, etc.)
1 cinema (art and experimental films); Paul Desmarets cinema to seat 123.
The cinema regularly organises thematic cycles, plus meetings with producers and critics.

Regional National Music Conservatory
910 pupils, of which 520 in the "musical classes for special music study timetables"
Auditorium to seat 600.

Chartreuse Museum
- Fine Art section: 14 rooms with italian, Flemish, Dutch and French paintings.
- Archaeological section: 10 archaeology rooms with prehistory, Gallo-Roman and Merovingian periods.
- Aquarophile section: 20 aquariums.

Gayant Expo
- the Gayant Exhibition Centre 30'000 m2 of space available for holding trade fairs, seminars, conventions, sports events, performances, etc.
A hall of 7,500 m2 and another of 5,400 m2
"Espace Europe": 570 m2
Marceline Hall : 297 m2
Corot Hall: 150 m2
Restaurant facilities adapted to each type of event.
Parking: 3,000 spaces.
When its modular structure is in "show" mode, the centre can hold up to 13,000, making it the 3rd largest in France and the largest to the North of Paris.

Regional school, degree 1, for barge and fairground families
393, rue Charles Bourseul
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 99 78 60
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 99 78 61

Higher education :
Higher school for general education and agricultural technology
458, rue de la Motte Julien
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 99 75 55
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 99 01 89
Centre for "Training, Research and Development" in the agro-food sector and biotechnology.

Faculty of legal and political sciences "Alexis de Tocqueville" of the University of Artois
rue d'Esquerchin
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 94 50 50
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 94 50 55

Douai Mining School
941, rue Charles Bourseul
B.P. 838
59508 DOUAI Cedex
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 71 22 22
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 71 25 25
http://www.ensm-douai.fr

International Higher School of Industrial Sales
Douai Trade Center
100, rue Pierre Dubois
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 93 75 93
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 93 75 99
Training for industrial sales

University Teacher Training Institute (I.U.F.M.)
161, rue d'Esquerchin
B.P. 827
59508 DOUAI Cedex
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 93 51 63
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 93 51 50

Nursing Training Institution (I.F.S.I.)
Route de Cambrai
59187 DECHY
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 88 94 00
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 96 32 79

Agro-industrial/Agro-food
- Genes Diffusion
- Centre for Studies and Research into Bio-Industries and Agro-Food Industries (CERBIA)

Environment
- Water Agency
- Regional Management for Industry, Research and the Environment (D.R.I.R.E.)
- Research laboratory of the mining school
- National Research Centre on Polluted Sites and Soils (CNRSSP)

Legal
- Court, Higher court, Commercial court
- Assize Court
- Appeals court (3rd largest in France)
- Administrative appeals court
- Faculty of law

Main companies:
- Allevard Ressorts (springs)
- Arbel Fauvet-Rail
- Bils Deroo
- Delphi (General Motors)
- GNB Technologies (Groupe Dunlop Pacific)
- Imprimerie Nationale (printing)
- Les Brasseurs de Gayant (brewing)
- Nestlé
- Oxford Automotive France (Ex. Arbel - Somenor)
- Renault
- Sekurit St-Gobain
- Sotexo
- Stora Enso
- Union Minière

Projects in progress:
- A cinema complex with 10 rooms (in the town centre), - A 16-lane bowling alley,
- A new building for the Municipal archives
- Redevelopment and landscaping of the quays along the Scarpe

Events for the year 2000 :
Millennium Techno Party on 31st December 1999: the largest techno party in France.

Photo : Luc Dessort

www.tourisme.fr

For information:
Tourist Office
Hôtel du Dauphin
70 , place d'Armes
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 88 26 79
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 99 38 78 Open from 09.00 - 12.00 hrs. and from 14.00 - 18.00 hrs. from Monday to Saturday.
In July and August, open on Sunday and on public holiday from 14.00 - 18.00 hrs.

DOUAI has a population of 42,175 habitants (at the 1990 census).

Its conurbation consists of 31 communes (25 in the Nord "département" and 6 in that of Pas-de-Calais).
There are 199,000 inhabitants (the 30th conurbation in France)

DOUAI is the administrative capital of the Nord "département".

Since 1975, the town of Douai has been successfully carrying out renovation of its buildings in order to return the beauty of its XVIIIth century architecture to its former status.
This major undertaking continues today in the form of the "Croix de Douai" operation aimed at renewing the commercial facades in the town centre, i.e. concerning several hundred buildings by its completion.
All this renovation is accompanied by measures concerning the creation and development of open spaces.

The parliament chambers

  
The "Gayant"

The "Family of the Porters of Gayant"
President of the Guild
Gérard Décarpentry
704, rue du Polygone
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 97 75 03

For information:
Tourist Office
Hôtel du Dauphin
70 , place d'Armes
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 88 26 79
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 99 38 78 Open from 09.00 - 12.00 hrs. and from 14.00 - 18.00 hrs. from Monday to Saturday.
In July and August, open on Sunday and on public holiday from 14.00 - 18.00 hrs.

Association of Craftsmen producing the "Bouclier de Gayant"
President : Yves Bauden
299, rue de Paris
59500 DOUAI
Tel./Fax :+33 (0)3 27 88 60 64

Aux Délices - Confectioner
Mr. Morel
68, rue de la Mairie
59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 88 69 19
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 99 06 22

Les Brasseurs de Gayant
(The Brewers of Gayant)
63, rue du Faubourg de Paris 59500 DOUAI
Tel. : +33 (0)3 27 93 26 22
Fax : +33 (0)3 27 93 26 20

Douai Municipal Theatre
1, rue de la Comédie
59500 DOUAI
Tél. : 03 27 88 87 75
Fax : 03 27 97 39 77

Hippodrome National Theatre
Place du Barlet
59500 DOUAI
Tél. : 03 27 99 66 66
Fax : 03 27 99 66 61
http://www.etnet.fr/
hippodrome

Hippodrome, National Theatre

Regional National Conservatory
87, rue de la Fonderie
59500 DOUAI
Tél. : 03 27 88 79 74
Fax : 03 27 97 62 04

Chartreuse Museum
130, rue des Chartreux
59500 DOUAI
Tél. : 03 27 71 38 80
Fax : 03 27 71 38 84
http://www.musenor.org

Gayant-Expo - The Gayant Exhibition Centre
B.P. 93
59502 DOUAI Cedex
Tél. : 03 27 931 931
Fax : 03 27 931 949
http://www.gayant-expo.fr

The Scarpe quay bordering on the Court of Justice