Editing Douai (section)

==Main sites==
Douai's ornate [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]]-style belfry was begun in 1380, on the site of an earlier tower. The 80&nbsp;m high structure includes an impressive [[carillon]], consisting of 62 [[bell (instrument)|bell]]s spanning 5 octaves. The originals, some dating from 1391, were removed in 1917 during World War I by the occupying German forces, who intended to melt them down for the metal. They were reinstalled after repairs in 1924, but 47 of them were replaced in 1954 to obtain a better sound. An additional larger bell in the summit, a [[Solfege|La]] called "Joyeuse", dates from 1471 and weighs 5.5 tonnes. The [[Tubular bell|chimes]] are rung by a mechanism every quarter-hour, but are also played via a [[Musical keyboard|keyboard]] on Saturday mornings and at certain other times. In 2005 the belfry was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] as a part of the [[Belfries of Belgium and France]] site, in recognition of its architecture and importance in the history of municipal power in France.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943 |title= Belfries of Belgium and France  |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 5 November 2021}}</ref> The belfry forms part of the [[Hôtel de Ville, Douai|Hôtel de Ville]] (City Hall) complex.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.patrimoine-histoire.fr/P_NordPicardie/Douai/Douai-Hotel-de-Ville-Beffroi.htm  |title=Douai, l'Hôtel de Ville et le beffroi|publisher= Patrimoine Histoire|access-date=22 October 2024}}</ref>

The substantial ''Porte de Valenciennes'' town gate, a reminder of the town's past military importance, was built in 1453. One face is built in Gothic style, while the other is of Classical design.

<gallery>
File:Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot 018.jpg|''Bell tower of Douai'', [[Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot]]
File:Carillon Douai.jpg|Detail of Douai's belfry
File:Douai rue de la mairie.jpg|The belfry seen from street level
</gallery>