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Auby
ℹ️Practical info — Auby
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Walk along the Deûle canal for a peaceful afternoon away from the crowds.
- Discover the region's rich coal mining heritage at nearby historical sites.
- For the best local experience, visit the weekly market in the town center.
- Try the authentic northern French fries at a local friterie stall.
🍽 Food
A traditional beef and beer stew, best enjoyed in a cozy local brasserie.
Thick-cut, twice-fried potatoes from a street-side vendor.
A rich cheddar cheese and beer dish over bread, available in traditional northern pubs.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
Find regional sausages and cold cuts at a butcher in the town center.
Great for picking up fresh produce and regional cheeses.
A scenic, flat path first-rate for a relaxing walk or bike ride.
A quiet local park with green spaces for reading or resting.
Water temperature…
Auby is a historic industrial town in the Nord department of France, situated near the city of Douai along the Deûle canal. For over a century, Auby stood as a pivotal center of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais coal mining basin, an industry that fundamentally reshaped the town's social and architectural fabric. The legacy of this era is still visible in the well-preserved mining colonies, or 'corons', constructed of local red brick, which are now protected as part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Beyond coal, Auby is internationally recognized for its massive zinc smelting works, which remain among the largest and most technologically advanced facilities in Europe. The Deûle canal, once crowded with industrial barges, now features a serene setting for leisure activities and serves as a reminder of the town's logistical importance. In recent years, Auby has focused on urban renewal and environmental remediation, transforming old industrial sites into green parks and public spaces. The community remains deeply connected to its working-class roots, celebrating its heritage through local museums and community festivals. For the traveler, Auby provides a profound look into the industrial soul of Northern France, where the resilience of the local population has led to a successful transition from the era of coal to a modern economy centered on specialized metallurgy and logistics.
- Location: Hauts-de-France, France
- Top sights: Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation · Auby Town Hall
- Nearby: Noyelles-Godault (4 km)
- Population: ~7.369
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 60 | 55 | 53 | 41 | 59 | 61 | 68 | 73 | 52 | 65 | 71 | 74 |
Geography
Facts
- Auby is part of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Mining Basin World Heritage site.
- The zinc plant is a major employer and critical for the local economy.
- The town covers a small but densely populated area of 5.12 km².
- The Deûle canal is a key infrastructure for regional water transport.
- The average elevation is approximately 23 meters above sea level.
- Auby was heavily affected by both World Wars due to its industrial value.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Auby (2)
Frequently asked questions
What industrial past does Auby have?
Which canal flows through the town?
What religious building is worth seeing?
Are there local festivals?
How far is it to Douai?
Auby: where is it located?
Auby: what is there to see?
Auby: when is the best time to visit?
Auby: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
