Douvrin
Encyclopedia
Douvrin is a commune
in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
.
and 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Lille
, at the junction of the D165, the D163 and the N47 roads. Since the mid-1960s, farming and light industry have replaced coal mining as the principle occupations.
Doverin (in 1098), Dovring (in 1120), Dovrin (in 1149), Dovrign (in 1218), Douvringnum (in 1229), Douvrin (in the fifteenth century) and also as Douvrain (in 1652).
The town suffered considerable damage during World War I
.
Coal mining was the main livelihood here for around 100 years, from the mid-nineteenth century until the 1960s when the reserves became uneconomic.
Since 1969, Française de Mécanique, part of PSA Peugeot Citroen
has produced motor-car engines at the plant immediately north of the commune. Over 3,400 people work here, producing 7000 units a week.
Communes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Geography
An ex-coalmining town some 10 miles (16.1 km) east of BéthuneBéthune
Béthune is a city in northern France, sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department.-Geography:Béthune is located in the former province of Artois. It is situated South-East of Calais, West of Lille, and North of Paris.-Landmarks:...
and 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, at the junction of the D165, the D163 and the N47 roads. Since the mid-1960s, farming and light industry have replaced coal mining as the principle occupations.
History
First recorded in the eleventh century, the town has been known by several variations of the name:Doverin (in 1098), Dovring (in 1120), Dovrin (in 1149), Dovrign (in 1218), Douvringnum (in 1229), Douvrin (in the fifteenth century) and also as Douvrain (in 1652).
The town suffered considerable damage during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Coal mining was the main livelihood here for around 100 years, from the mid-nineteenth century until the 1960s when the reserves became uneconomic.
Since 1969, Française de Mécanique, part of PSA Peugeot Citroen
PSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën is a French manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot and Citroën marques. Headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, PSA is the second largest automaker based in Europe and the number eight in the world.-History:In December 1974 Peugeot S.A....
has produced motor-car engines at the plant immediately north of the commune. Over 3,400 people work here, producing 7000 units a week.
Population
Places of interest
- The church of Sacre-Coeur, rebuilt, as was most of the town, after World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.