Musée archéologique Arkéos

About the museum

Arkéos is a facility of Douaisis Agglo, located between Douai and Râches. The community of municipalities wanted to show the finds made in its territory during almost forty years of archaeological excavations.

The collections come partly from the former holdings of the Musée de la Chartreuse in Douai. They were enriched by finds from the excavations carried out from 1970 to 2002 by the Douai city archaeology department together with the association Arkéos, and later by the preventive archaeology department of Douaisis Agglo. Part of these collections was displayed at the archaeology museum on rue Saint-Albin until 2010.

The museum follows a chronological route through the people who lived in the area, from prehistory to the present day, covering daily life, housing, activities and the changing landscape. It uses films, models, multimedia kiosks and tactile elements. A footbridge over the Scarpe leads to the 75,000 m² archaeological park, devoted to the early Middle Ages, which includes a fortified 10th-century portus quarter, a feudal motte (mound) and medicinal herb gardens.

Highlights

• Chronological route from prehistory to the present day
• 75,000 m² archaeological park devoted to the year 1000
• Reconstruction of a 10th-century portus and a feudal motte
• Tactile route with Braille screens and replicas to handle
• Medieval tavern in season

Permanent exhibitions

• Parcours permanent du musée – A chronological route through the people who lived in the area, from prehistory to the present day: daily life, housing, activities and landscape, with films, models and multimedia kiosks.
• Parc archéologique – A 75,000 m² park devoted to the early Middle Ages, with buildings reconstructed from excavations, a 10th-century portus, a feudal motte and medicinal herb gardens.

Operated by

Douaisis Agglo

Visitors per year

approx. 45,000

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of the month and national events

High-season rates (April to October), valid for the museum and the archaeological park. From November to March: adults €6 (reduced rate €5), children aged 4 to 12 €4 (reduced rate €3), the park being closed. Without proof of address, the non-resident rate applies.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is designed to make it easy for visitors with reduced mobility to get around, with a lift to the collections and the park, reserved parking spaces and a wheelchair available. For blind and visually impaired visitors: a touchscreen with Braille content, multimedia kiosks, replicas to handle and five “researchers' corners” in Braille.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free activity booklets for the temporary exhibitions are available at reception. Holiday workshops: for children aged 4 to 6 (1 hour 30 minutes) and from age 7 (2 hours), family workshops from age 4 with an adult (2 hours). Children's birthday parties from age 6 on Wednesdays (2 hours, snack included).

Getting there & parking

On foot or by bike: follow the Voie verte de la Scarpe, which runs along the towpath between Douai and Mortagne-du-Nord.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant

Medieval tavern with menus inspired by the Middle Ages, open in season. The website mentions an app or the Wivisite system for the visit, with no mention of Wi-Fi.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Auditorium of 169 m² (150 seats), Le Cube of 157 m² (up to 150 standing or 50 seated) and a 182 m² reception hall (80 standing), available for seminars, meetings and receptions.

Plan your visit