Editing Douai (section)

==<FONT COLOR="#996633">'''HISTORY OF DOUAI'''</FONT>==

Its site probably corresponds to that of '''a 4th century Roman fortress known as Duacum'''. The town became a flourishing textile market centre during the Middle Ages under the Counts of Flanders. Historically, it was known as Douay (Doway in English). In 1384, it passed into the domains of the Counts of Burgundy and thence in 1477 into Habsburg possessions. 

In 1667, '''Douai was taken by the troops of Louis XIV of France''', and by the 1668 Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, the town was ceded to France. During successive sieges from 1710 to 1712, Douai was almost completely destroyed. By 1713, the town was fully integrated into France. Apart from the ferment of the French Revolution, it was again caught up in hostilities in World War I, and in 1918, the town was partly burned, while World War II also brought considerable damage to Douai. '''The town is still a transportation and commercial center for the area''', which is known for its coalfield, the richest in northern France.

'''''More informations about the History of Douai on the [[wikipedia:Douai]] !'''''