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 Douai !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Douai on the Douai ! You have also the possibility to check the Official Website of the Office of Tourism in english !

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

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

How to get to Douai
You can find a driver or passenger to share the ride and cut on travel cost. In France carpooling is very popular and is called "covoiturage". Try Envoiture.fr to get to Douai.
 * By Carpooling:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY


Tel: 03 27 92 38 38 or 17 Gendarmerie: Tel: 03 27 98 50 47 Tel: 03 27 99 61 02 Centre Hospitalier de Douai BP 740 - 59507 Douai Cedex - Tel: 03 27 99 61 02 - Fax: 03 27 99 62 60 Tel : 03 27 94 31 00 or 18 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 Tel : 03 27 98 00 00.
 * Police Station:
 * Health Urgency:
 * Hospital:
 * Fireman Station:
 * Embassy:
 * Emergency Doctor:

LOCAL MEDIA MENTIONS</FONT>
Douai

INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
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 * Douai on Wikivoyage
 * Douai on Hitchwiki
 * Douai on Wikipedia