Mines de Beffrois

Le blog touristique du bassin minier

Tag: Douai

  • Exhibition “Osier nos géants” in Douai: Willow Craft for the Giants

    📅 Until September 14, 2026
    📍 Douai, Museum of Fine Arts

    The exhibition “Osier nos géants” highlights the art of wickerwork and willow craftsmanship, at the heart of the creation of the North’s giants. The procession giants, classified by UNESCO, require exceptional wickerwork skills for their construction and maintenance.

    This immersive exhibition allows you to understand how basket makers create and repair these procession colossi, true emblems of the mining basin and the entire North. A must-see cultural rendezvous in Douai!

    🔗 More info: [Douaisis Tourisme](https://www.douaisis-agglo-tourisme.com/offres/exposition-osier-nos-geants-douai-fr-6642438/)

  • Gayant Festival in Douai: UNESCO Giants Celebrate July 11-14

    📅 From July 11 to 14, 2026
    📍 Douai, city center

    The Gayant Festival, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, returns to Douai for three days of festivities! Every year, on the Sunday following July 5th, the Gayant family traditionally parades through the streets to the sound of drums.

    This year again, Mr. and Mrs. Gayant, accompanied by their three children Jacquot, Fillon and Binbin, will parade through the streets of Douai for the delight of young and old alike. On the program: giant parade, concerts, street performances, funfair and fireworks.

    This is the must-attend event of the summer in the Douaisis, a unique moment where tradition and conviviality meet in the heart of the mining basin.

    🔗 More info: [fetesdegayant.fr](https://www.fetesdegayant.fr/) and [Douaisis Tourisme](https://www.douaisis-agglo-tourisme.com/offres/fetes-de-gayant-douai-fr-2785953/)

  • 35th Gayant Photography Rencontres in Douai

    35th Gayant Photography Rencontres in Douai

    📅 From 3 to 14 July 2026
    📍 Douai – Halle aux Draps, Town Hall, 83 rue de la mairie

    For its 35th edition, the Gayant Photography Rencontres take over the Halle aux Draps in Douai city centre. Professional and amateur photographers exhibit their works in this exceptional historical setting.

    This cultural event is one of the highlights of the Douai summer. Discover varied exhibitions, cross-perspectives on the world and meet the artists. Free admission.

    Source: City of Douai – Agenda

  • Gayant Festival in Douai: The Mining Basin’s Big Popular Festival

    Gayant Festival in Douai: The Mining Basin’s Big Popular Festival

    📅 From 8 to 10 July 2026
    📍 Douai – Place Saint-Amé and city centre

    The Gayant Festival returns to Douai for three days of festivities! Every year, this centuries-old tradition brings the heart of the city alive with concerts, street performances, the parade of the giants Monsieur and Madame Gayant, and a grand fireworks display.

    The full programme includes entertainment for all ages: fairground rides, local food stalls, live shows and live music. It’s one of the most anticipated events of the summer across the entire mining basin.

    Don’t miss the Gayant procession on Sunday morning, when the giants parade through the streets to the rhythm of drums. A magical and typically Douai moment!

    Source: City of Douai – Agenda

  • Plein Air Festival 2026 in Douai: Feder, Cerrone and Acid Arab by the lake on 27-28 June

    📅 Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 June 2026
    📍 Parc Jacques Vernier, Douai

    Douai's great electro festival returns for an unmissable 2026 edition at Parc Jacques Vernier, by the lake. The Festival Plein Air shifts its calendar — no more late summer, welcome to the end of June with its long evenings. New timing: Saturday from 4 PM to 2 AM.

    Saturday 27 June: Feder, Benny Benassi, Boys Noize and Roland Cristal take to the decks for a night of open-air electronic music.
    Sunday 28 June: Bon Entendeur, Cerrone, Acid Arab and DJ Furax take over for a final groovy day.

    Shuttles are organised from Arras, Béthune, Cambrai, Lens and Valenciennes for festival-goers from across the mining basin. Great news for all electronic music fans in the region.

    An event not to be missed for two days of music and conviviality in the open air!

    Tickets and information at festivalpleinair.fr.

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