Doullens

At about 2 hours from Paris and an hour from Lille , Doullens is a geographical crossroads, since our city is also located at 30km from Arras, from Amiens and from Albert.

Doullens is also the place chief of the canton and account 7200 inhabitants.

Charming city at the frontages XVIII which testify to the ease of the past, several monuments deserve to be discovered: the Belfry of XVII, recognized by UNESCO, a ``Put at Tombeau' 'of XVI classified as the Historic buildings, located in the Notre Dame church and the vestiges of the Saint-Pierre church, contemporary of the Cathedral of Amiens, curious by its external Gothic triforium.

Doullens is appreciated for its framework of life. The city is classified 3 flowers in the regional contest of the cities and flowered villages.

Crédit photo : AntonyB, license CC-BY-SA-3.0

Doullens was a border city until 1659. Francois the first ordered that a citadel be built in the city in 1525 to protect it from the threat created by the increase in power of artillery

This structure shows the transition in style between castles of the Middle Ages and fortified citadels which Vauban will design 150 years later.

Across the years the Citadel will have many different roles: it will become a garrison, a place of house arrest, a state jail, a place of rehabilitation for young women and finally a women's jail.

• Fortified castel - XII - XIII - XIV century

This important fort was built by the counts of Saint Pol, and contains some interesting remains of military architecture from the Middle Ages.

• Belfroi - XIII centuary

Belfries are the symbol of freedom in cities. The Belfry of Lucheux was built on top of an old door of the town. This is where Louis XI signed the "Édit des Postes" in 1464 .

• Roman Church - XII centuary

This is one of the only churches in the Somme area to have kept a roman choir. It is ornate by surprising capitals, sculpted to relate old pagan beliefs.

This museum was created thanks to the generosity of Jules François Lombart, chocolate manufacturer and art enthusiast.

It hosts works from Corot, Chardin, Daubigny and Poulbot (a local artist) as well as a mummy, several Egyptian artefacts and some archaeological discoveries.

Opening hours

Tuesday to Friday 2 pm to 5pm

Saturday 10am to 12am  and  2pm   to 5pm

Guided Tours

2pm and 4pm

You can find every Wednesday after midday the Hikers of Doullennais and leave to discover our Picarde countryside.

Convivial and good for health, these excursions take place all the year.

Inscriptions with the excursions of Wednesday near Tourist office of Doullennais