Douai

History and description

The town of Douai had its first modern defensive works built in the 17th century. The urban wall of the 14th-15th century has been preserved but levelled out and improved by the addition of a glacis, nineteen earth ravelins and the fort de Scarpe, a pentagonal earth structure, downstream of the town and outside the urban wall. The latter allows floods to be controlled downstream.
Besieged by the French on 2 July, 1667 during the war of Devolution, (siege directed by Vauban) Douai capitulated on 6 July. Vauban proposed simple improvements: reinforcing the ramparts at the river exit, remaking the entrance gate to the river, improving the angled flanking of the urban wall, elevating and building ravelins. In 1693, twenty-four external constructions existed, of which five were stone-built ravelins. The projects were performed during the 18th century: with a total of sixty exterior stone constructions in 1785. Louis XIV had the fort de Scarpe built, despite the opposition of Vauban. The construction started in 1670, directed by the engineer Chazerat, and was completed in 1672. The engineers Simon Vollant and Mesgrigny also worked on the project. After this construction, the fort retained its pentagonal shape and was given three stone ravelins, barracks, powder stores, officers’ quarters and a chapel, all made of stone.