La Croisée des chemins

Towns Visited
Douai - Flers-en-Escrebieux - Auby - Roost-Warendin - Râches

Starting points
A - Gayant Expo car park
Route de Tournai (Gayant Expo) - Douai
B - Parc Arkéos Museum
4401, route de Tournai - Douai


The ‘croisée des Chemins’ is at the heart of the Douaisis Agglo network of walking routes.
It allows visitors to easily discover the diversity of landscapes, whether wetlands, woods, industrial or urban.
The starting point for this loop and the network of routes is the Gayant Expo car park at the former Houillières coal port.

The latter has been transformed into a 50-acre park, including 12 acres of lakes and ponds.

It is a natural area comprising:
- a park with flowerbeds, lawns, wooded areas and reedbeds.
- remarkable animal species (European kingfisher, grey partridge, wall lizard) are occasionally visible.
- areas dedicated to walking, school activities (orienteering), running, cycling, wildlife studies and fishing.
- a leisure park offering numerous activities.

Numerous ecological initiatives have been implemented: late mowing, preservation of dead wood, stopping the use of pesticides and preservation of the existing fauna and flora.

To see
Leisure activities:
- Jacques Vernier Park
Museum:
- Arkéos Park
Heritage:
- Douai-Dorignies water station
- Roost-Warendin headframe
Nature:
- The Vivier d'Auby marsh
- Lains and Pont Pinet nature reserve
- Escarpelle and Pâturelles earthworks

Local Food
La ferme des Thuyas (rabbit)
La ferme Cliquet (vegetables)
La ferme des Vanneaux (Roost-Warendin)
Escargots fermiers (Râches)

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