Town hall of Douai, town hall located in Nord department, France
The town hall of Douai is a civic building dating from the 14th century, constructed from gray sandstone with a square footprint and a towering belfry at its center. The bell tower rises about 61 meters (200 feet) and houses 62 bells forming a carillon that weighs over 18 tons.
The belfry was built around 1380 to house the city's bells, with its first sections completed between 1390 and 1392 in sturdy stone construction. In 1398, a clock and bells were installed, and after a fire in 1471, the tower's top was rebuilt with a pointed spire crowned by a lion statue.
The town hall stands at the heart of Douai and defines the square with its architectural presence. The bell tower with its carillon has marked the rhythm of daily life for centuries, connecting the city's past with its present.
A spiral staircase with 195 steps leads to a viewing platform about 40 meters (130 feet) high, offering broad views of Douai and the surrounding countryside. Information panels on each floor explain the tower's history and features to guide your exploration.
A lion statue about 1.75 meters tall crowns the spire at the tower's top, symbolizing strength and courage. This decorative element is visible from many points across the city and shows the craftsmanship applied even to the tower's highest reaches.
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