Douai Tourism - France

The first settlement in Douai dates back to the 7th century and the town was
granted a charter by the Count of Flanders in 1188. It is famous for the cloth
trade, which developed along the river Scarpe from the 12th century.
Belonging successively to Flanders, Burgundy and the Spanish, Netherlands.
Douai was annexed to France by Louis XIV in 1667. When the cloth
industry started to decline in the 1560s, the town magistrates asked for a
university to be built.  The town still acts as Court of Appeal for the
region and has the highest lawyers of any city in Northern France. It was
damaged during both World Wars but still boasts impressive 18th century
architecture.  Today, Douai is most famous for its giants, the Gayant
family, who go on procession round the town on the first Sunday following
the 5th of July every year.

Douai Tourist Office
70 Place d'Armes,
Douai

Tel:   00 33 (0)3 27 88 26 79

Email:   tourisme-douai@wanadoo.fr
Web:     www.ville-douai.fr