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Voykit pocket guide · France
Douai
Spend a half‑day in Douai to see the belfry and St Pierre; add an extra night if you want a relaxed evening or nearby Lens day‑trip.
Douai is a 40 000‑inhabitant town in Hauts‑de‑France, best explored on foot in a few hours. Its UNESCO‑listed belfry, large Collegiale St Pierre and medieval walls are within walking distance of the station. One night is enough for a relaxed pace; otherwise a day‑trip from Lille or Lens works.
- Country
- France
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (warm, occasional rain)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR, €). Contactless cards work in most shops, cafés and restaurants.
- Daily spend
- Budget €30–45 excl. bed · Mid €45–70 excl. bed · High €70+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.
- Emergency
- Police 17 · Fire and ambulance 18 · Medical emergencies 15
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin plugs; type E sockets have an earth pin sticking out, so Schuko (type F) plugs need a C/E hybrid or an adapter.
- Tipping
- Café or bar: Leave small change, €0.20–1.; Restaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.; Taxi: Round up to the next euro or two.; Hotel porter or housekeeping: €1–2 per bag or per night.; Tour guide: €5–10 per person for a half day, more for private guides.
- Water
- Tap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise. Restaurants must serve a free carafe of tap water on request.
- Toilets
- Paris has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | €2–3 |
| Croissant | €1–2 |
| Bistro meal (main + drink) | €12–20 |
| Local bus ticket | €1.50 |
| Museum entry | €8–12 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIL · Lille Airport
- about 30 km (19 mi) (≈35 min by car or 45 min by train via Douai)about 19 mi (30 km) (≈35 min by car or 45 min by train via Douai)
Typical fares
- Douai ↔ Lille train
- about €12 each way (check)
- Local bus (single)
- €1.50
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town centre is walkable; local bus lines connect outskirts. Bike‑share available near the station.
See and do
Known for
- UNESCO belfry
- Collegiale St Pierre
- medieval fortifications
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lens | Train from Douai, about 15 min | ≈30 min total |
| Lille | Train, 25 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Centre‑Ville hotels
- Close to station and main sights; good for 1 night.
- Douai Railway Station area
- Budget hostels and B&Bs within 5 min walk.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Mercimerci |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?sayt kombyen |
| Where is the toilet? | Où sont les toilettes ?oo son lay twah-let |
| Can I pay by card? | Je peux payer par carte ?zhuh puh pay-yay par kart |
| Do you speak English? | Parlez‑vous anglais ?parlay voo ahn-glay |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'bonjour madame/monsieur' on entering any shop, bus or office; avoid: Asking a question before saying bonjour — it is read as rude
- Cheek kisses (la bise): Follow the other person's lead; one to four kisses depending on region; avoid: Initiating la bise with strangers or in business
- Addressing people: Use 'vous' and titles until invited otherwise; avoid: First names and 'tu' with older people or staff
- Restaurants: Wait to be seated in restaurants; call the waiter 'monsieur' or 'madame'; avoid: 'Garçon', snapping fingers, asking for the bill before you are finished
- Conversation: Debate is a pleasure; food, politics and philosophy are fair game; avoid: Asking about salary or religion; loud voices on trains
- Dinner at a home: Bring flowers (not chrysanthemums), chocolates or a good bottle; arrive 10–15 minutes late; avoid: Cutting the tip off a cheese wedge or asking for ketchup
- Dress: Smart-casual in cities; covered shoulders in churches; avoid: Beachwear in town centres
Scams and watch-outs
- Train timetables vary on weekends; check SNCF for exact times.
- Some museum opening hours are seasonal; verify before visiting.
Douai is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings on trains and in crowded markets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Douai yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- UNESCO belfry
- Collegiale St Pierre
- medieval fortifications
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Douai, revision 5258047 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5258047
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/douai). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.