Around the Scarpe in Douai

The route starts at the Faculty of Law car park, where there are plenty of parking spaces.

(S/E) Leave the car park at the far end and turn right onto Rue de Lens, continuing until you reach the Scarpe Diversion Canal.

(1) A short flight of steps leads down to the towpath. Head down and follow the canal, turning left for about 4 km. You will reach the Courchelettes Lock.

(2) Once you’ve passed the lock, carry on until you reach the junction between the Canal de Dérivation and the River Scarpe.

(3) Turn left to follow the left bank of the Scarpe for about 700 m.

(4) At the first bridge, cross the river to reach the right bank, and follow this more picturesque path for about 2.4 km.

(5) Then take the path on the left which takes you under Boulevard Pasteur, and follow Quai Devigne as far as the Écluse des Augustins. Cross La Scarpe.

(6) Walk up the small street towards the Conservatoire and the Fonderie.

(7) Go round to the left to see this former cannon foundry, of which only a gate remains.

(8) At Place Saint-Amé, take Rue Pont des Dominicains. Cross the Scarpe again, turn left onto Rue des Dominicains, then onto Rue du Pont à l’Herbe, and finally turn right onto Rue des Foulons.

(9) Turn left onto Rue de la Comédie, passing the Hôtel d’Aoust and the Municipal Theatre (notable monuments), then left onto Rue de l’Université, until you reach the Belfry and the Town Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

(10) Enter the courtyard and walk under the archway on the left. Walk down Rue de la Mairie for a few metres. Turn right onto Rue Gambetta, then opposite onto Rue Jean Bellegambe. You will arrive at the Collegiate Church of Saint-Pierre.

(11) Visit this too, then walk down Rue du Clocher Saint-Pierre to the Palais de Justice, where Vidocq is said to have stayed.

(12) Cross the River Scarpe again, then turn right onto Quai Auguste Bertin. Turn left onto Rue du Gros Sommier, right onto Rue Saint-Julien, left onto Place Maugin, right onto Rue Saint-Albin, then left onto Rue des Chartreux.

(13) Walk past the Musée de la Chartreuse. Cross Boulevard de la République at the traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, then turn left to reach the Law Faculty car park (S/E).