Douai: Belfry, museums and routes along the Scarpe

Douai brings together architectural and museum history with archaeology and activities on the water, on foot or by e-bike. The belfry represents the city’s bell-ringing tradition; the Musée de la Chartreuse and Arkéos each focus on a ceramic collection and archaeological reconstructions. This gives you different options when planning your trip: you can focus on individual cultural sites or include a guided tour or walking trail. Route lengths and the duration of the e-bike tour provide concrete points of reference when choosing the focus of your stay.

Belfry and architectural history

The “Beffroi, Carillon et Hôtel de Ville” ensemble in Douai is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The decision to build the belfry was made in 1380 so that the city’s bells could be housed there. Today, it houses a carillon of 62 bells weighing 18 tonnes. The belfry thus offers insight into both its architectural history and its musical function.

A spiral staircase with 195 steps leads to the platform at a height of around 40 metres. From there, the panorama stretches across the Douaisis. The climb and the view provide another aspect of a visit to the belfry, alongside its historic architecture and carillon.

Museums and archaeology

The Musée de la Chartreuse de Douai has been housed in the former Carthusian monastery since 1958 and preserves a collection of nearly 4,000 ceramics. Here, the ceramic collection is set against the history of a former monastic building. Those interested in Douai’s cultural heritage will find another perspective alongside the belfry: through craftsmanship and the building’s former use.

The Arkéos Musée-Parc archéologique is located on the boundary between Douai and Râches. It comprises a museum and a park featuring archaeological reconstructions. The permanent exhibition follows a chronological line from prehistory to the present day and explores everyday life, types of dwellings, activities and changes to the landscape. This chronological sequence connects different aspects of life with changes to the landscape in a single exhibition.

You can also explore Vieux-Douai from the water: boat trips through the neighbourhood can include a visit to Vidocq’s cell. This combines the boat trip with another specific place to visit in Vieux-Douai.

Outdoor activities

At Parc Jacques Vernier, the high ropes course includes a red course reaching up to 12 metres; the longest zip line is 111 metres long. There are also four orienteering courses, ranging from 1.5 to 3 kilometres. Their themes include farm animals and monsters, as well as flora and Douai’s cultural heritage. Alongside the high ropes course, you can choose from routes with different themes and lengths.

The guided “Au fil de la Scarpe” e-bike tour is a 22-kilometre circular route lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at the tourist office on Place d’Armes in Douai. A bicycle and safety equipment are included; information from the guide is delivered through a Bluetooth earpiece. If you plan to take the tour, check the current dates in advance.

On foot, the 20-kilometre “Chemin des Eaux” walking trail follows the Scarpe, its canal and the Escrebieux River. Among the sights listed in Douai are the Augustins locks. The guided e-bike circuit and the walking trail are similar in length: 22 kilometres by bike compared with 20 kilometres on foot. The bike tour is also listed as lasting 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Discover more destinations: Hordain, Cappelle-La-Grande, Aubers, Cousolre, Bierne, Renescure, Ronchin, Loon-Plage

Go to the main travel overview: Nord.