View source for Cambrai

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{{Distinguish|Cambria|Combray}}
{{refimprove|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name               = Cambrai
|native name        = {{native name|vls|Kamerijk}}<br />{{native name|pcd|Kimbré}}
|commune status     = [[Subprefectures in France|Subprefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
|image              = Campanile hôtel de ville Cambrai.JPG
|image flag         = Drapeau Cambrai.svg
|caption            = The bell tower of the [[Hôtel de Ville, Cambrai|Hôtel de Ville]] (town hall), where {{Interlanguage link multi|Martin and Martine|fr|3=Martin et Martine}} mark the hours
|image coat of arms = Blason cambrai.svg
|arrondissement     = Cambrai
|canton             = Cambrai
|INSEE              = 59122
|postal code        = 59400
|demonym            = Cambrésiens
|mayor              = Vacant<ref>{{cite web|title=Le maire de Cambrai, François-Xavier Villain, est mort à 74 ans|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/politique/le-maire-de-cambrai-francois-xavier-villain-est-mort-a-74-ans-9097730|publisher=France Bleu|date=27 April 2024|language=fr}}</ref>
|term               = 2020&ndash;2026
|intercommunality   = [[Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai|CA de Cambrai]]
|coordinates        = {{coord|50.1767|3.2356|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m        = 60
|elevation min m    = 41
|elevation max m    = 101
|area km2           = 18.12
|population         = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date    = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}

'''Cambrai''' ({{IPAc-en|US|k|æ|m|ˈ|b|r|eɪ|,_|k|ɑ̃|ˈ|-}},<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Cambrai|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref><ref name="MW">{{Cite Merriam-Webster|Cambrai|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|fr|kɑ̃bʁɛ|lang|Fr-Paris--Cambrai.ogg}}; {{langx|pcd|Kimbré}}; {{langx|nl|Kamerijk}}), formerly '''Cambray'''<ref name="MW"/> and historically in English '''Camerick''' or '''Camericke''', is a city in the [[Nord (French department)|Nord]] [[Departments of France|department]] and in the [[Hauts-de-France]] [[Regions of France|region]] of [[France]] on the [[Scheldt]] river, which is known locally as the Escaut river.

A [[Subprefectures in France|sub-prefecture]] of the department, Cambrai is a town which had 32,501 inhabitants in 2018. It is in the heart of the [[urban unit]] of Cambrai with 46,772 inhabitants. Its [[functional area (France)|functional area]], a more extensive range, included 94,576 inhabitants in 2018.<ref name=compar>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/1405599?geo=AAV2020-108+UU2020-59403+COM-59122 Comparateur de territoire: Aire d'attraction des villes 2020 de Cambrai (108), Unité urbaine 2020 de Cambrai (59403), Commune de Cambrai (59122)], INSEE</ref> With [[Lille]] and the towns of the former [[Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin]], it is also part of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Metropolitan area of Lille|fr|3=Aire métropolitaine de Lille}} which has more than 3.8 million inhabitants.

Towards the end of the [[Roman Empire]], Cambrai replaced [[Bavay]] as the "capital" of the land of the [[Nervii]]. At the beginning of the [[Merovingian dynasty|Merovingian]] era, Cambrai became the seat of an immense [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cambrai|archdiocese]] covering all the right bank of the [[Scheldt]] and the centre of a small [[ecclesiastical principality]], roughly coinciding with the shire of [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]], including the central part of the [[Low Countries]]. The bishopric had some limited secular power and depended on the [[Holy Roman Empire]] until annexation to France in 1678. [[François Fénelon|Fénelon]], nicknamed the "Swan of Cambrai", was the most renowned of the archbishops.

The fertile lands which surround it and the textile industry gave it prosperity in the [[Middle Ages]], but in modern times it is less industrialised than its neighbours of [[Nord-Pas-de-Calais]].

Cambrai was the [[Duke of Wellington]]'s headquarters, for the British Army of Occupation, from 1815 to 1818. Occupied by the German army during [[World War I]], Cambrai suffered partial destruction in the First Battle of Cambrai from British artillery attacks on the town, including the nearby [[Bourlon]] Wood.  The fighting around Cambrai, known as the [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Battle of Cambrai]] (20 November 1917 – 3 December 1917) is notable in that it is considered to be the first mass use of [[tank]]s in battle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historycentral.com/ww1/BattleofCambrai.html|title=First Battle of Cambrai}}</ref>  A second [[Battle of Cambrai (1918)|Battle of Cambrai]] took place between 8 and 10 October 1918 as part of the [[Hundred Days Offensive]]. [[World War II]] was followed by reconstructions and a rapidly developing economy and population, abruptly reversed by the [[1973 oil crisis]].

Cambrai today is a lively city and, despite the past destruction, maintains a rich monumental heritage. Cambrai is affirmed as the urban centre of [[Cambrésis]]. Its economic life is strengthened by its position on the main local highway and river.

==History==
===Antiquity===
[[File:Peutinger Casaromago.jpg|thumb|left|An extract from the Peutinger table showing Camaraco (Cambrai) northeast of Sammarobriva (present-day [[Amiens]])]]
Little is known with certainty of the beginnings of Cambrai. ''Camaracum'' or ''Camaraco'', as it was known to the Romans, is mentioned for the first time on the [[Tabula Peutingeriana|Peutinger table]] in the middle of the 4th century. It became the main town of the Roman province of the [[Nervii]], whose first Roman capital had been at ''Bagacum'', present-day [[Bavay]].{{cn|date=February 2024}}

In the middle of the 4th-century, [[Franks|Frankish]] raids from the north threatened Bavay and led the Romans to build forts along the Cologne to Bavay to Cambrai road, and thence to Boulogne. Cambrai thus occupied an important strategic position.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

In 430, the [[Salian Franks]] under the command of [[Clodio]] the Long-Haired took the town. In 509, [[Clovis I|Clovis]] undertook to unify the Frankish kingdoms<ref group=b>p.12-14</ref> by getting rid of his relatives.

===Middle Ages===
Cambrai began to grow from a rural market into a real city during the [[Merovingian]] times, a long period of peace when the bishoprics of Arras and Cambrai were first unified (probably owing to the small number of clerics left at the time) and were later transferred to Cambrai, an administrative centre for the region. Successive bishops, including [[Gaugericus]] (in French Géry), founded abbeys and churches to host relics, which contributed powerfully to giving Cambrai both the appearance and functions of a city.<ref group=b>p.16</ref>

[[File:Traité de Verdun 843.png|thumb|right|Following the [[Treaty of Verdun]], Cambrai found itself as a "median" border city of the kingdom of Lothair I with the western lands of Charles the Bald]]

When the [[Treaty of Verdun]] in 843 split [[Charlemagne]]'s empire into three parts, the county of Cambrai fell into [[Lothair I|Lothaire]]'s kingdom. However, upon the death of [[Lothair II]], who had no heir, king [[Charles the Bald]] tried to gain control of his kingdom by having himself consecrated at [[Metz]]. Cambrai thus reverted, but only briefly, to the [[West Francia|Western Frankish Realm]]. In 870 the town was destroyed by the Normans.<ref>1911 Encyclopædia Britannica, "Cambrai"</ref>

[[File:Beffoi de Cambrai.JPG|thumb|left|The belfry of Cambrai, the old bell tower of the Church of Saint Martin, symbol of communal freedoms]]

In the Middle Ages the region around Cambrai, called Cambrésis, was a county. Rivalries between the count, who ruled the city and county, and the bishop, ceased when in 948 [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto I]] granted the [[Archdiocese of Cambrai|bishop]] with temporal powers over the city.<ref group=b>p.29-30</ref> In 1007, Emperor [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]] extended the bishop's temporal power to the territory surrounding Cambrai. The bishops then had both spiritual and temporal powers. This made Cambrai and Cambrésis a church principality, much like [[Liège]], an independent state which was part of the Holy Roman Empire. The spiritual power of the bishop was exercised over a vast diocese, which stretched on the right bank of the Scheldt to [[Mons, Belgium|Mons]], Brussels and Antwerp.<ref>Pierrard 1978, p.112</ref> In 954, the [[Hungarians|Magyars]] under [[Bulcsú (chieftain)|Bulcsú]] besieged Cambrai, which resisted all their attacks.<ref>{{citation |first1=Albert |last1=D'Haenens |title=Les incursions hongroises dans l'espace belge (954/955). Histoire ou historiographie ? |id=Cahiers de civilisation médiévale |year=1961 |volume=4, 4–16 |pages=423–440 |url=http://www.persee.fr/articleAsPDF/ccmed_0007-9731_1961_num_4_16_1204/article_ccmed_0007-9731_1961_num_4_16_1204.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151319/http://www.persee.fr/articleAsPDF/ccmed_0007-9731_1961_num_4_16_1204/article_ccmed_0007-9731_1961_num_4_16_1204.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-09-24 }}</ref>

In 958 one of the first [[Communes of France|communal]] uprisings in Europe occurred in Cambrai. The inhabitants rebelled against Bishop Bérenger's power and abuses. The rebellion was severely repressed, but the discontent flared up again in the 10th and 11th centuries. Between 1077 and 1215, the [[Bourgeoisie|burghers]] had a charter franchise on at least four occasions. Each time, these were eventually withdrawn by the combined efforts of the bishops and emperors. In 1227, following another period of unrest, the burghers of Cambrai finally had to give up their charters and accept the bishop's authority. However, the ''Loi Godefroid'' promulgated by the bishop, in fact or in law, left the people a number of freedoms won in the management of communal affairs.<ref>Pierrard, 1978, p.100</ref>

Cambrai is also known for its Irish [[Cambrai Homily|homily]].

====Economic activity====
[[File:Cambrai - Cameracvm vulgo Cambray - Kamerijk (Atlas van Loon).jpg|thumb|right|alt=Plan of Cambrai drawn in 1649|Plan of Cambrai drawn in 1649, depicting the outline of the 11th century walls]]
In the [[Middle Ages]], the city grew richer and larger thanks to its weaving industry which produced woollen cloth, linen and [[cambric]]. Cambrai, and in particular the drapery, experienced an economic decline from the 15th century.<ref group="b" name="p.98"/> Cambrai then belonged to a commercial [[Hanseatic League|hansa]] of seventeen low country cities whose aim was to develop trade with the fairs in [[Champagne, France|Champagne]] and [[Paris]]. By the 11th century the city walls had reached the circumference they would keep until the 19th century.{{cn|date=June 2024}}

====Music history====
[[File:DufayBinchois.jpg|thumb|left|Dufay (left) in conversation with [[Gilles Binchois]]]]
Cambrai has a distinguished musical history, particularly in the 15th century. The [[Old Cambrai Cathedral|cathedral]] there, a musical centre until the 17th century, had one of the most active musical establishments in the Low Countries; many composers of the [[Burgundian School]] either grew up and learned their craft there, or returned to teach. In 1428, Philippe de Luxembourg claimed that the cathedral was the finest in all of Christianity, for the fineness of its singing, its light, and the sweetness of its bells. [[Guillaume Dufay]], the most famous European musician of the 15th century, studied at the cathedral from 1409 to 1412 under Nicolas Malin and [[Richard Loqueville]], and returned in 1439 after spending many years in Italy. Cambrai cathedral had other famous composers in the later 15th century: [[Johannes Tinctoris]] and [[Johannes Ockeghem|Ockeghem]] went to Cambrai to study with Dufay.<ref group=b>p.93-94.</ref> Other composers included [[Nicolas Grenon]], [[Alexander Agricola]], and [[Jacob Obrecht]]. In the 16th century, [[Philippe de Monte]], [[Johannes Lupi]], and [[Jacobus de Kerle]] all worked there.

===Early Modern era===
[[File:Maison des Canonniers Cambrai.JPG|thumb|upright|The "gunners' house" in Cambrai is an example of 17th-century Flemish architecture]]
[[File:Map of Cambrai 1710.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Plan of Cambrai in 1710|Plan of Cambrai in 1710]]

As the economic centre of northern Europe moved away from [[Bruges]], the area became poorer, with an associated period of cultural decline.{{cn|date=January 2024}} However, the city's neutrality and its position between the possessions of the [[Habsburg monarchy|Habsburg Empire]] and [[France]] made it the venue of several international negotiations, including the [[League of Cambrai]], an alliance engineered in 1508 by [[Pope Julius II]] against the [[Republic of Venice]], concluding in the {{Interlanguage link multi|Treaty of Cambrai (1508)|fr|3=Traité de Cambrai|lt=Treaty of Cambrai}}.{{cn|date=January 2024}} The alliance collapsed in 1510 when the Pope allied with Venice against his former ally [[France]]. The conflict is also referred to as the [[War of the League of Cambrai]] and lasted from 1508 to 1516. Cambrai was also the site of negotiations in 1529, concluding in the [[Paix des Dames]], which led to France's withdrawal from the [[War of the League of Cognac]].{{cn|date=January 2024}}

In 1595, the city was taken by the Spanish in the eighth and last [[French Wars of Religion]]{{cn|date=February 2025}}.<!---probably returned in a treaty in 1598 but can't locate details right now-->

In December 1623, the community of nuns of the [[English Benedictine Congregation]] was founded at Cambrai.<ref>{{Cite ODNB|title=Gascoigne, Catherine (1601–1676), abbess of Cambrai|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-68225|access-date=2021-02-16|year=2014|language=en|doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/68225|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8|last1=Rhodes|first1=J. T.}}</ref> Expelled in 1793 as a result of the French Revolution, its successor community in 1838 was [[Stanbrook Abbey]], near [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]] and later [[Wass, North Yorkshire|Wass]] in Yorkshire.

In 1630, [[Cardinal Richelieu|Richelieu]], wishing to counter the power of the Emperor and Spain, renewed the alliance of France with the [[Dutch Republic|United Provinces]]. The main effort of France had to focus on the [[Spanish Netherlands]], and a sharing plan was established with the Dutch, with France to receive the Hainaut, Cambrésis, Artois, a large part of Flanders and Luxembourg and the County of Namur.<ref>Pierrard, 1978, pp.207–208</ref> [[Thirty Years' War#French intervention and continued Swedish participation (1635–1648)|War]] was declared against Spain in 1635: It was followed by a [[Franco-Spanish War (1635–59)|long series of wars]] which, compounded by subsistence and epidemics, caused crises which would bruise the [[Cambrésis]].<ref group=b name="Trenard145">pp.144–145</ref>

[[Cardinal Mazarin|Mazarin]] tried unsuccessfully, in 1649, to seize the city, which was being besieged by [[Henri, Count of Harcourt|Henri de Lorraine-Harcourt]] and the [[Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne, Viscount of Turenne|Vicomte de Turenne]]. A Spanish regiment, which came from [[Bouchain]], succeeded in entering the city and the siege was lifted. In 1657, the Vicomte de Turenne captured Cambrai. Again 4,000 horsemen under the command of [[Louis, Grand Condé|Condé]], in the service of the Spain, manage to penetrate, and Turenne abandoned the city.<ref group=b>pp.145–146</ref>

In 1666, in the greatest secrecy, [[Louis XIV]] prepared new conquests by making plans of the Spanish fortifications, and then began the [[War of Devolution]]. The [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]] from 1668 allowed the [[Kingdom of France]] to obtain a large number of strongholds, but Cambrai was not a part of them, nor were [[Bouchain]], [[Valenciennes]] or [[Condé-sur-l'Escaut]].

====The annexation by France====
In 1672, [[Franco-Dutch War|hostilities]] resumed against the Protestant Republic of the Netherlands and continued in the following years. In 1676, [[Louis XIV]], in an effort to "safeguard the tranquility of his borders for ever" ("''assurer à jamais le repos de ses frontières''"), focused most of his efforts against Spain and occupied [[Condé-sur-l'Escaut|Condé]] and [[Bouchain]]. On 17 March 1677, the French troops [[Siege of Valenciennes (1676–77)|stormed Valenciennes]] and moved toward Cambrai, the strongest place of the Netherlands,<ref group=b>p.147</ref> which was reached on 20 March.<ref>Pierrard, 1978, p.217</ref> On 22 March, Louis XIV was in the city in person.<ref group=b>p.149</ref> On 2 April, the French invested in a part of the place. By 5 April, the city surrendered, given the same benefits as Lille in 1667,<ref group="b" name="p.150"/> but the Spanish garrison took refuge in the [[citadel]] and the siege continued until 17 April. After [[Siege of Cambrai (1677)|29 days of siege]] the king made his entry into the city, on 19 April, Easter Monday.<ref group=b>p.151</ref> Louis XIV named the Marquis de Cesen as governor, and appointed 14 new [[Alderman|aldermen]] while keeping the same [[Prévôt|provost]]. The [[Hôtel de Ville, Cambrai|Hôtel de Ville]] (town hall), in its current style, dates from 1786.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aspecambrai.org/page-10038-hotel-ville.html|title=Hôtel de ville de Cambrai (XIXe)|publisher=ASPE Cambrésis|access-date=13 November 2025}}</ref>

===The French Revolution===
<!--[[File:A Thanksgiving Service Attended by Canadian Troops Being Held in the Cambrai Cathedral.jpg|thumb|Canadian Soldiers at a Thanksgiving ceremony at Cambrai Cathedral WWI]]-->

The city suffered from the [[French Revolution|Revolution]]: [[Joseph Le Bon]], sent by the [[Comité de salut public]], arrived in Cambrai in 1794.{{cn|date=February 2025}} He was to set up an era of "terror", sending many to the [[guillotine]], until he was tried and executed in 1795.{{cn|date=February 2025}} One of his most famous victims was [[François III Maximilien de la Woestyne, 3rd Marquess of Becelaere]].

Most of the religious buildings of the city were demolished in that period: in 1797, the [[Old Cambrai Cathedral|old cathedral]], which had been dubbed the "wonder of the low countries", was sold to a merchant on 6 June 1796 who left only the tower,<ref group=d>p.410</ref> after exploiting the cathedral as a stone quarry. The main tower was left standing until 1809, when it collapsed<ref group=d>p.424</ref> in a storm. However the cathedral's archives have been preserved (they are now at the Archives Départementales du Nord in [[Lille]]) and a [[Cambrai Cathedral|new cathedral]] was later provided.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

===19th century===
[[File:Boulevard Faidherbe Cambrai.JPG|thumb|right|The Boulevard Faidherbe, built in 1898 on the site of the ramparts]]

The [[Franco-Prussian War]] of 1870 widely spared Cambrai. It also showed the futility of the fortifications, which the city obtained permission to demolish, at its expense, in 1892.<ref group=b>p. 238</ref> The outer boulevards were constructed on the location of the walls, between 1894 and the beginning of the 20th century. The appearance of the city was radically transformed, and the works stimulated the city's economy.<ref group=b>p. 245</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:LL 16 - Cambrai - Vue générale vers la Place d'Armes.JPG|thumb|left|The ''Place d'Armes'', on a market day before the First World War]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1974-029-09, Frankreich, Cambrai, Flüchtlinge.jpg|thumb|left|Refugees at Cambrai in September 1918]]
In 1914, the German army occupied the city. This occupation, which lasted for four years, was marked by scenes of looting, requisitions and arrests of hostages. From 20 November to 17 December 1917, the vicinity of the town of Cambrai was the theatre of the [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Battle of Cambrai]], which saw the massed use of [[tank]]s for the first time.

In 1918, the Germans burned the city centre before leaving, destroying the city hall and the municipal archives. In total, more than 1,500 buildings were totally destroyed, of the 3,500 which consisted of Cambrai. The centre was to be rebuilt, a task which was entrusted to the architect {{Interlanguage link multi|Pierre Leprince-Ringuet|fr}}.<ref group=b>p.264</ref><ref group=b>p.266</ref>

[[World War II]] also struck Cambrai. The city was bombed by the [[Luftwaffe]] on 17 May 1940, during the [[Battle of France]], before falling the next day at the same time as [[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|Saint-Quentin]]. The remains of the [[Ninth Army (France)|9th French Army]] and [[Henri Giraud|General Giraud]] were taken prisoner by the Germans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://souvenirfrancaisarras.com/node/70|title=La bataille d'Arras : 20–24 mai 1940}}, Marcel Dégardin, Souvenir Français Arras</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://la-guerre-au-jour-le-jour.over-blog.com/article-10463976.html|title=18 mai 1940 – La seconde guerre mondiale au jour le jour|date=18 May 2007 }}</ref>

From 27 April until 18 August 1944, 18 [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] air raids were directed against the railway tracks, killing 250 people and destroying 1,700 buildings,<ref group=b>p.275</ref> or more than 50% of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/bombardements-de-cambrai-soixante-dix-ans-plus-tard-les-ia13b45101n2096868|title=Bombardements de Cambrai: soixante-dix ans plus tard, les habitants témoignent|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303025315/http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/bombardements-de-cambrai-soixante-dix-ans-plus-tard-les-ia13b45101n2096868|archive-date=2015-03-03}}</ref> The first American tanks entered the city on 2 September.

After the war, the priority again was reconstruction. A municipality of the "union of the left" was elected in 1945, led by {{Interlanguage link multi|Raymond Gernez|fr}} who would remain at the head of the city until 1981, promoting moderate socialism.<ref group=b>p.285</ref> As early as 1947, the city submitted to a development project of the Ministry of Reconstruction. The municipality gave priority to the construction of houses: The ''Maison du Cambrésis'' [House of le Cambrésis], later ''Maison Familiale'' group, an [[HLM]] cooperative society, contributed substantially to the reconstruction of the city.<ref group=b>p.279</ref> The population of the city increased, while the surrounding area tended to be depopulated. At the same time, the city lost industrial jobs and moved towards the tertiary sector, but it was public administrations which provided the bulk of jobs.<ref group=b>p.280-284</ref>

==Geography==
===Location===
[[File:Cambrai-Position.png|thumb|right|Geographic situation of Cambrai in the Nord department]]

The town of Cambrai is situated in the southern part of the Nord Department, of which it is [[chef-lieu]] of the [[Arrondissement of Cambrai|arrondissement]]. It belongs to the dense network of the cities of the area which are separated by a few tens of kilometres: [[Douai]] is only {{convert|24|km}} away, [[Valenciennes]] is {{convert|29|km}}, [[Arras]] is {{convert|35|km}} and [[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|Saint-Quentin]] {{convert|37|km}}, all measured [[as the crow flies]].<ref>[https://www.villorama.com/ville/cambrai/villes-proches.html Quelques villes proches de Cambrai], villorama.com</ref> The regional capital, [[Lille]], is {{convert|52|km}} from Cambrai.

Cambrai is not very far from several European capitals: [[Brussels]] is {{convert|108|km}} away, [[Paris]] is {{convert|160|km}} and [[London]] is {{convert|279|km}}.

The city was born and developed on the right bank of the [[Scheldt]] river, locally known as the Escaut. The river has its source in the department of [[Aisne]], just a little over {{convert|20|km}} away.

{{Geographic location
 | Centre = Cambrai
 | NW = [[Tilloy-lez-Cambrai]]<br />[[Neuville-Saint-Rémy]]
 | N = [[Ramillies, Nord|Ramillies]]
 | NE = [[Escaudœuvres]]
 | W = [[Fontaine-Notre-Dame, Nord|Fontaine-Notre-Dame]]<br />[[Raillencourt-Sainte-Olle]]
 | E = [[Cauroir]]
 | SW = [[Proville]]
 | S = [[Niergnies]]<br />[[Rumilly-en-Cambrésis]]
 | SE = [[Awoingt]]
}}

===Geology and landforms===
[[File:NPdC relief Cambrai.png|thumb|right|Cambrai in its topographical context]]

Cambrai is located on [[chalk]] bedrock of the [[Cretaceous]] period{{cn|date=June 2024}}, which forms the northern boundary of the [[Paris Basin]], between, to the east, the hills for [[Thiérache]] and [[Arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe|Avesnois]], the foothills of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Massif ardennais|fr|3=Massif ardennais|lt=Ardennes}}, and northwest, the hills of [[Artois]]. It is at a point which is relatively lower than these two regions, called the "Cambrai threshold" or the "Bapaume threshold", which facilitates the passage between the south and the north: Bapaume (Artois) is {{convert|100|m|ft}} above sea level, [[Avesnes-sur-Helpe]] (Avesnois) is at {{convert|143|m|ft}} and Cambrai only {{convert|41|m|ft}}. The [[Canal de Saint-Quentin|Saint-Quentin canal]], the [[Canal du Nord]], the [[A1 autoroute (France)|A1]], [[A2 autoroute (France)|A2]] and [[A26 autoroute|A26]] autoroutes all borrow all this passage between the basin of the [[Seine]] and the plains of the Nord department.

The chalky subsoil allowed, as in many medieval cities, the digging of a network of cellars, tunnels and quarries under the city. The poor quality of the Cambrai chalk was reserved for use in the manufacture of lime or filling, as well as common constructions. For prestigious buildings, stone from the nearby villages of [[Noyelles-sur-Escaut]], [[Rumilly-en-Cambrésis|Rumilly]] or [[Marcoing]] was used.<ref group="a" name="p.37">p.37</ref>

The city is bordered in its western part, as well as to the north and the south, by the alluvial zones of the Scheldt Valley.

===Hydrography===
[[File:Tour des Arquets Cambrai 2.JPG|thumb|right|The Tower of Arquets (14th century) controlled the entry of the Scheldt in the city and the flood defences.]]

Cambrai is built on the right bank of the [[Scheldt]]. The river, still of a very modest flow in Cambrai,<ref>[[Discharge (hydrology)|Inter annual average flow]] {{convert|1.9|m3|cuyd}} at [[Proville]]. See :
{{cite web| url = http://www.eau-artois-picardie.fr/-Escaut-.html?title=voir| title = Escaut| work = Agence de l'eau Artois-Picardie| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150520162240/http://www.eau-artois-picardie.fr/-Escaut-.html?title=voir| archive-date = 2015-05-20}}</ref> played a crucial role in the history of the city by providing multiple functions, including allowing the transportation of men and goods since antiquity. However, it was undeveloped and was crossed by numerous marshes. It was with the discovery of coal at [[Anzin]] in 1734 that the Scheldt was expanded and declared navigable in 1780, from Cambrai to the [[North Sea]].<ref group=a>p.66</ref> The Scheldt is today the [[Canal de l'Escaut]] downstream of Cambrai.

In addition, the river initially served as the boundary between the bishoprics of [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Tournai|Tournai]] on its left bank and [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cambrai|Cambrai]] on its right bank, from the 6th century.<ref group=c>p.46</ref> When the division of [[Charlemagne]]'s Empire in 843, this border was retained to delimit the kingdoms of [[Lothair I]] and [[Charles the Bald]], making Cambrai a city of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] until 1677.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

The Scheldt was also indispensable to many economic activities, such as the tanning, milling, the manufacture of salt and soap,<ref group="a" name="p.62">p.62</ref> as well as for [[retting]] of [[linen]], the weaving of which was one of the main activities of the city.<ref group="b" name="p.98">p.98</ref>

Finally, the river was used in the [[Middle Ages]] and then by [[Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban|Vauban]], for the defence of the city by the establishment of flood defensive areas.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

Despite its important role in the history of the city, the Scheldt is little integrated into the present urban landscape.

===Climate===
:Main article: ''{{Interlanguage link multi|Climate of Nord-Pas-de-Calais|fr|3=Climat du Nord-Pas-de-Calais}}''

Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year round.  The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Köppen climate classification#Group C: Temperate/mesothermal climates|Cfb]]" (Marine West Coast Climate/[[Oceanic climate]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=71070&cityname=Cambrai,+Nord-Pas-de-Calais,+France&units=|title=Cambrai, France Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase|access-date=29 March 2018}}</ref> However, the city is about {{convert|110|km|mi}} from the nearest coast.<ref group=note>[[Dunkirk]] is {{convert|113|km|mi}}, [[Berck]] is {{convert|121|km|mi}}.</ref>

[[Precipitation]] is distributed year-round, with highs in the spring and autumn, with February being the driest month. Contrasting with the rainy image of the region, the total annual precipitation is relatively small with {{convert|642|mm|in}} at Cambrai-Épinoy; identical to the Montsouris Paris station, which is at the same altitude, it is less than those of [[Toulouse]] at {{convert|656|mm|in}} or [[Nice]] at {{convert|767|mm|in}}. However, the number of days of rain (63 in Nice, 120 in Cambrai) confirms the oceanic character of the climate.

The mean [[Atmospheric temperature range|thermal amplitude]] between the winter and summer does not exceed 15&nbsp;°C. Although again establishing a comparison with Paris, that Cambrai is 1.5 to 2&nbsp;°C colder over all combined seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/index.php?s=07156&aff=details|title = données climatiques de Paris Montsouris, période 1961–1990|work = infoclimat.fr}}</ref> On average, there are 71 days of fog per year (Paris-Montsouris has 13) 15 days of storm (Paris-Montsouris has 19) and 20 days with snow (Paris-Montsouris has 15).

If comparing the data of Cambrai and those of towns such as [[Dunkirk]] or [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.meteo59-62.com/index.php5?page=climat-nord-pas-de-calais#tnm|title = Le climat du Nord – Pas de Calais|work = le site de l'association Météorologique du Nord – Pas de Calais|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131018043101/http://meteo59-62.com/index.php5?page=climat-nord-pas-de-calais#tnm|archive-date = 2013-10-18}}</ref> there are colder minimum temperatures and a warmer maximum in Cambrai, the difference being approximately 2&nbsp;°C, as well as a larger number of freezing days and less heavy precipitation: It's described a "transitional" oceanic climate, with some continental influences.

The temperature record in Cambrai is {{convert|38.2|°C|°F}}, which was established on 6 August 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.recordmeteo.com/weather-records/france.php?lang=fr&cd=cambrai&frname=Cambrai|title=Record Meteo|access-date=19 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520185006/http://www.recordmeteo.com/weather-records/france.php?lang=fr&cd=cambrai&frname=Cambrai|archive-date=20 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> (data collected since 1954 and record updated to 5 September 2013).

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location =   Cambrai (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1954–present)
|Jan record high C = 14.9
|Feb record high C = 18.6
|Mar record high C = 23.3
|Apr record high C = 27.6
|May record high C = 30.9
|Jun record high C = 34.7
|Jul record high C = 41.8
|Aug record high C = 38.2
|Sep record high C = 34.7
|Oct record high C = 28.6
|Nov record high C = 19.5
|Dec record high C = 16.2
|Jan record low C = -19.8
|Feb record low C = -17.2
|Mar record low C = -11.4
|Apr record low C = -4.5
|May record low C = -1.3
|Jun record low C = 1.2
|Jul record low C = 4.5
|Aug record low C = 5.0
|Sep record low C = 0.8
|Oct record low C = -5.4
|Nov record low C = -9.0
|Dec record low C = -12.8
|Jan high C = 6.2
|Feb high C = 7.3
|Mar high C = 11.1
|Apr high C = 15.0
|May high C = 18.4
|Jun high C = 21.4
|Jul high C = 23.8
|Aug high C = 23.8
|Sep high C = 20.3
|Oct high C = 15.3
|Nov high C = 10.0
|Dec high C = 6.7
| year high C = 14.9
|Jan mean C = 3.8
|Feb mean C = 4.4
|Mar mean C = 7.2
|Apr mean C = 10.1
|May mean C = 13.5
|Jun mean C = 16.4
|Jul mean C = 18.6
|Aug mean C = 18.6
|Sep mean C = 15.5
|Oct mean C = 11.6
|Nov mean C = 7.2
|Dec mean C = 4.4
| year mean C = 10.9
|Jan low C = 1.3
|Feb low C = 1.5
|Mar low C = 3.3
|Apr low C = 5.2
|May low C = 8.6
|Jun low C = 11.4
|Jul low C = 13.4
|Aug low C = 13.3
|Sep low C = 10.8
|Oct low C = 8.0
|Nov low C = 4.5
|Dec low C = 2.0
| year low C = 6.9
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 54.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 47.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 50.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 42.7
|May precipitation mm = 56.7
|Jun precipitation mm = 63.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 67.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 67.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 56.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 63.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 62.6
|Dec precipitation mm = 69.7
|year precipitation mm = 702.9
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 10.9
| Feb precipitation days = 10.4
| Mar precipitation days = 9.9
| Apr precipitation days = 8.9
| May precipitation days = 9.6
| Jun precipitation days = 9.3
| Jul precipitation days = 9.8
| Aug precipitation days = 9.4
| Sep precipitation days = 9.3
| Oct precipitation days = 10.8
| Nov precipitation days = 12.1
| Dec precipitation days = 12.2
| year precipitation days =122.7
|source 1 = Meteociel<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=62298001
|title=Normales et records pour Cambrai-Épinoy (62)
|publisher=Meteociel
|access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>}}

<div class="center">
'''[[Climograph|Ombrothermic diagram]]'''
<timeline>
ImageSize  = width:464 height:220
PlotArea   = left:40 right:30 top:40 bottom:20
TimeAxis   = orientation:vertical
Colors     =
           id:blue value:blue
AlignBars  = justify
Period     = from:0 till:80
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  bar:Jan color:blue
  from:start till:47.5
  bar:Feb color:blue
  from:start till:39.7
  bar:Mar color:blue
  from:start till:51
  bar:Apr color:blue
  from:start till:46.2
  bar:May color:blue
  from:start till:59.1
  bar:Jun color:blue
  from:start till:66.3
  bar:Jul color:blue
  from:start till:57.4
  bar:Aug color:blue
  from:start till:52.4
  bar:Sep color:blue
  from:start till:51.3
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  from:start till:58.1
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  from:start till:60.9
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</div>

==Transport==
===Road===
[[File:French A26 motorway.jpg|thumb|right|The A26 autoroute at its intersection with the A2, near Cambrai]]

Cambrai is located at the crossroads of two French autoroutes, the [[A2 autoroute (France)|A2]] from [[Combles]] (junction with the [[A1 autoroute (France)|A1]] coming from Paris) to the Franco-Belgian border, opened in 1973, and the [[A26 autoroute|A26]] from [[Calais]] to [[Troyes]], opened in 1992. These autoroutes partly merge with the [[International E-road network|European roads]] of the [[European route E19|E19]] from [[Amsterdam]] to [[Paris]] via [[Brussels]], for the A2, and the [[European route E17|E17]] from [[Antwerp]] to [[Beaune]] via [[Lille]] and [[Reims]], for the A26.

Cambrai and its region are served by four autoroute interchanges: The A2, exit 14 (Cambrai) from [[Paris]] and exit 15 ([[Bouchain]]) from [[Brussels]], and on the A26 the exits 8 ([[Marquion]]) from [[Calais]] and 9 ([[Masnières]]) from [[Reims]].

Cambrai is also at the crossroads of the [[Route nationale 30]] of [[Bapaume]] to [[Quiévrain]] (Franco-Belgian border), [[Route nationale 43]] of [[Sainte-Ruffine]] ([[Metz]]) to [[Calais]], {{Interlanguage link multi|Route nationale 44|fr|3=Route nationale 44 (France)}} of Cambrai to [[Vitry-le-François|Vitry]] (these last three have since 2006 been downgraded to {{Interlanguage link multi|French departmental road network|fr|3=Réseau routier départemental français|lt=departmental roads}} and therefore consequently renamed to D6xx), and D939 (former {{Interlanguage link multi|Route nationale 39|fr|3=Route nationale 39 (France)}}) of Cambrai to [[Arras]].

To facilitate access to the east of the [[Cambrésis]] from the A2 and A26 autoroutes, to alleviate traffic in the crossing of the city and to serve the future Niergnies business zone, a southern bypass was the subject of a [[Déclaration d'utilité publique|declaration of public utility]] (DPU) on 22 April 1999. Its route has been repeatedly modified and challenged, because it crosses the urban ecological park of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Regional Natural Reserve of the River Escaut|fr|3=Réserve naturelle régionale de l'Escaut-rivière|lt=Chenu Wood}} in [[Proville]],<ref>
{{cite web| url = http://www.proville-en-cambresis.com/html/fr/presentation/popup-environnement/bois-chenu2.htm| title = Le Bois chenu, un parc écologique urbain reconnu| work = la ville de Proville-en-Cambrésis| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424065232/http://www.proville-en-cambresis.com/html/fr/presentation/popup-environnement/bois-chenu2.htm| archive-date = 2009-04-24}}</ref> the only public natural green space of the Cambrésis. The bypass is in service since 17 September 2010.<ref name="VdNContSud">{{cite web| url = http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/Locales/Cambrai/actualite/Cambrai/2010./09/18/article_d-est-en-ouest-le-contournement-sud-de-c.shtml| title = D'est en ouest, le contournement sud de Cambrai est enfin ouvert| date = 18 September 2010| work = [[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La Voix du Nord]]}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

A bypass to the north is also part of the program of major departmental projects, which was required to have been initiated by 2011.<ref name="VdNContSud"/>

===Railway===
[[File:Gare de Cambrai.JPG|thumb|right|The SNCF railway station in Cambrai]]

[[Gare de Cambrai|Cambrai railway station]] is connected by direct trains ([[TER Hauts-de-France|TER]]) to [[Lille]], [[Douai]], [[Valenciennes]], [[Saint-Quentin, Aisne|Saint-Quentin]], and [[Reims]].

The link to Douai and Lille has improved after the electrification of the single-track {{Interlanguage link multi|Saint-Just-en-Chaussée to Douai railway line|fr|3=Ligne de Saint-Just-en-Chaussée à Douai|lt=Douai to Cambrai line}} in 1993, for the commissioning of joining [[Paris]] to Cambrai by [[TGV]] via Douai, which was subsequently cancelled. Direct connections on weekdays are fifteen trains per day, with a journey time of about 30 minutes between Douai and Cambrai; eight trains, with a journey time often less than an hour, to [[Gare de Lille Flandres|Lille-Flandres station]]; ten trains, with a time of little more than 40 minutes on average to Valenciennes and a dozen trains, with a journey time of around 50 minutes, to Saint-Quentin.<ref name=sncf>{{cite web|url=https://m.ter.sncf.com/hauts-de-france/se-deplacer/prochains-departs/cambrai-87345520|title=Prochains départs Gare Cambrai|work=TER Hauts-de-France}}</ref>

Links to Paris from Cambrai ([[Gare du Nord]]) are mediocre if compared to those of the neighbouring cities. Valenciennes, Douai and Arras are connected to Paris by TGV several times per day. Saint-Quentin is connected by TER or [[Intercités]] trains with less than two hours travel time. Cambrai was connected to Paris in 2010 by a single direct Intercités service of two hours, with a little-suited schedule for professional use. The times of other trains via Douai or Saint-Quentin vary between two and four and a half hours.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.voyages-sncf.com/billet-train/horaires/resultats?hid=GWT/FicheHoraire.aspx?gare=Cambrai|title= Consultation d'horaires : CAMBRAI (59) – PARIS (75)|work=le site de Voyages-sncf.com}}</ref>

====Railway history====
[[File:Gare de Cambrai 1913.jpg|thumb|right|The {{Interlanguage link multi|Gare de Cambrai-Annexe|fr}} in 1913]]
[[File:Gare cambrésis cambrai.jpg|thumb|right|The Gare du Cambrésis, former head of the line of the [[Chemin de fer du Cambrésis]]]]
[[File:Port de plaisance Cantimpré Cambrai.JPG|thumb|right|The marina of Cantimpré]]

As early as 1833, the municipal council sought passage of a railway line through Cambrai. However, a route through Arras and Douai, to Lille, with a branch to Valenciennes, was preferred in 1845. It remained, therefore, to connect Cambrai to this line, which was done in 1878 by a single, winding line between Cambrai and Douai. Meanwhile, Cambrai had been linked, in 1858, to the Paris-Brussels line by a branch line from [[Busigny]] and joining [[Somain, Nord|Somain]], near Douai.<ref group="b" name="p.150">p.150</ref>

Other railway lines of [[Voie ferrée d'intérêt local|local interest]] saw development in the 19th century, particularly in 1880 the [[Chemin de fer du Cambrésis|Société des Chemin de fer du Cambrésis]] which operated three routes in the Cambrésis between Cambrai, Caudry, Saint-Quentin, Le Cateau and Denain. An agricultural use of Cambrai to Marquion, now off line, was also open in 1898.<ref group="a" name="p.37"/>

Cambrai railway station was also the terminus of a standard gauge secondary route of {{Interlanguage link multi|Compagnie générale de voies ferrées d'intérêt local|fr|3=Compagnie générale de voies ferrées d'intérêt local|lt=CGL/VFIL}} linking [[Marquion]] and [[Boisleux-au-Mont]].
====Railway projects====
The regional transport scheme evokes three axes or projects concerning Cambrai: Improving the Douai-Cambrai connections, the construction of a new railway line between Cambrai and [[Marquion]]-[[Arras]], in conjunction with the large gauge [[Seine–Nord Europe Canal|Seine-North Europe canal]] project and the establishment of a business zone of Marquion, as well as "searching for a link from [[Orchies]] towards Cambrai".<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nordpasdecalais.fr/srt/telechargement/srt.pdf| title = Schéma régional des transports| work = le site de la région Nord pas-de-Calais| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120523093241/http://www.nordpasdecalais.fr/srt/telechargement/srt.pdf| archive-date = 2012-05-23}}</ref>

===Waterways===
Cambrai is one of the seven territorial subdivisions of the regional management of Nord-Pas-de-Calais of [[Voies navigables de France|navigable waterways in France]]. The city is located at the junction of the [[Canal de Saint-Quentin|Saint-Quentin canal]] to the Oise and Paris and the [[Canal de l'Escaut]], which leads to the [[Canal Dunkerque-Escaut|Dunkerque-Escaut canal]]. 
A [[marina]] is located at the junction of the two canals, at Cambrai-Cantimpré.

====Waterways history====
The [[Canal de l'Escaut]] ([[Scheldt]] canal), between Cambrai and [[Valenciennes]], was opened to navigation in 1780.

Moreover, a river link between Paris and the Nord department had been projected as early as the time of [[Cardinal Mazarin|Mazarin]] and [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert|Colbert]]. The construction of the [[Canal de Saint-Quentin|Saint-Quentin canal]], between [[Chauny]] on the [[Oise (river)|Oise]] and Cambrai, was taken up in 1802 on the order of [[Napoleon|Napoleon I]] and completed in 1810, after the drilling of the [[Riqueval Tunnel]]. The canal and tunnel were opened with great pomp on 28 April 1810 by the Emperor and Empress [[Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma|Marie-Louise]].{{cn|date=December 2023}} The Saint-Quentin canal has experienced heavy traffic, but since 1966, the date of the opening of the [[Canal du Nord]], it has lost much of its importance.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

====Waterways projects====
{{update|section|date=January 2025}}
A wide-gauge river link project, called [[Seine–Nord Europe Canal|Seine-Escaut Link]] project is part of the 30 priority projects of the future [[Trans-European Transport Networks|trans-European transport network]]. The route of this project is through [[Marquion]], {{convert|12|km}} west of Cambrai. A platform of activities is planned therein. The commissioning of the canal could take place around 2015.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.lavoixeco.com/actualite/Dossiers/Canal_Seine_Nord/2009/08/17/article_-1993-2015-les-etapes-cles-du-projet.shtml| title = Canal Seine-Nord : les étapes clés du projet| date = 17 August 2009| work = La Voix du Nord| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150520005707/http://www.lavoixeco.com/actualite/Dossiers/Canal_Seine_Nord/2009/08/17/article_-1993-2015-les-etapes-cles-du-projet.shtml| archive-date = 20 May 2015}}</ref>

===Airports===
Cambrai is in close proximity to two airfields: ''Cambrai-Epinoy'', to the north-west, whose use was booked at the {{Interlanguage link multi|Airbase 103 Cambrai-Épinoy|fr|3=Base aérienne 103 Cambrai-Épinoy|lt=Airbase 103}} until its closure in 2012, and ''[[Cambrai-Niergnies Airport|Cambrai Niergnies]]'', {{convert|5|km}} to the southeast, opened to recreational aviation.

Within an approximate radius of 1 hr 30 mins by road are five major airports: [[Lille Airport|Lille-Lesquin]] at {{convert|60|km}}, [[Brussels South Charleroi Airport|Brussels South Charleroi]] at {{convert|114|km}}, [[Brussels Airport|Brussels National]] at {{convert|148|km}}, [[Beauvais–Tillé Airport|Paris Beauvais-Tillé]] at {{convert|151|km}} and [[Charles de Gaulle Airport|Paris Charles-de-Gaulle]] at {{convert|152|km}}.

===Urban transport===
[[File:LL 67 - CAMBRAI - La Grand'Place - Station des Tramways.JPG|thumb|right|The tramway in 1905, in the main square]]

By 1897, that is, upon completion of the demolition of the fortifications, the city had considered the construction of electric [[tram]] lines. It was a very modern solution for the time, since electric traction only appeared in 1881 and the development of this mode of transport didn't truly occur until 1895 in Paris and the Paris region. In 1903, the network of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Tramway of Cambrai|fr|3=Tramway de Cambrai|lt=Compagnie des tramways de Cambrai}} was opened, {{convert|16|km}}<ref group=b>p.243</ref> and with five lines.<ref>
{{cite web| url = http://www.trains-fr.org/facs/lig59.htm| title = Les Chemins de Fer Secondaires de France| date = 19 November 2009| work = Fédération des amis des chemins de fer secondaires| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140311234308/http://www.trains-fr.org/facs/lig59.htm| archive-date = 11 March 2014}}</ref> After World War I, the uneconomic network was not recommissioned.<ref group=a>p.59</ref>

Since 1933 the agglomeration of Cambrai has been served by a {{Interlanguage link multi|Public transport of Cambrai|fr|3=Transports en commun de Cambrai|lt=network of buses}}, five urban routes were operating in 2010, run by CFC (Railways of Cambrésis):

*A: Luxembourg – Cambrai stations – [[Escaudœuvres]]
*B: [[Neuville-Saint-Rémy]] – Cambrai stations – ZAC Cambrai-South
*C: Les Martigues-Pyrénées – Cambrai stations – [[Raillencourt-Sainte-Olle]]
*D: Cambrai stations – Raillencourt-Sainte-Olle
*E: ZAC Cambrai-South – Cambrai stations

Since 7 January 2013, the agglomeration community of Cambrai has implemented a free shuttle which serves seventeen stops around the city.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/cambrai-mise-en-place-de-navettes-gratuites-ia13b0n943597| title = Cambrai : mise en place de navettes gratuites| date = 7 January 2013| work = La Voix du Nord| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140523021242/http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/cambrai-mise-en-place-de-navettes-gratuites-ia13b0n943597| archive-date = 23 May 2014}}</ref>

In 2008, the "Urban Transport Perimeter" (PTU) of Cambrai which, with 59,326 inhabitants, is the smallest of the twelve PTU of the [[Nord-Pas-de-Calais]] region had completed about {{convert|400,000|km|mi}} per year, corresponding to 740,000 journeys.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/transports/transports-collectifs.html| title = Transports collectifs| date = 2008| work = Communauté d'Agglomération de Cambrai| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100630172145/http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/transports/transports-collectifs.html| archive-date = 2010-06-30}}</ref>

The agglomeration community of Cambrai is the organising authority of urban transport. However, while it has twenty-three communes, only six were served by urban transport in 2006. For other towns and cities, the urban community has delegated jurisdiction to the department.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://mappemonde.mgm.fr/num23/articles/art09305.html| title = Transports publics et recompositions territoriales dans le Nord-Pas-de-Calais| date = March 2008| work = M@ppemonde| access-date = 20 May 2015| archive-date = 3 March 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172251/http://mappemonde.mgm.fr/num23/articles/art09305.html| url-status = dead}}</ref>

In a relatively sparsely populated agglomeration with little extensive public transport, it cannot easily compete with the automobile. Nevertheless, the agglomeration community of Cambrai reflects on the future of urban transport from a perspective of [[sustainable development]], with aims to strengthen the supply of public transport in order to capture a portion of travel by private car, and reducing car traffic and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. The realisation of the new [[multimodal transport]] hub in the quarter of the railway station of Cambrai is part of this policy.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/transports/perspectives-devolution-du-reseau-de-transport-urbain.html| title = Les perspectives d'évolution du réseau de transport urbain| year = 2008| publisher = Communauté d'Agglomération de Cambrai| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://archive.today/20100529181447/http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/transports/perspectives-devolution-du-reseau-de-transport-urbain.html| archive-date = 2010-05-29}}</ref>

==Urbanism==
===Urban morphology===

====Origins====
The old centre of Cambrai was established on a small rise overlooking, from the right bank, the marshy area of the [[Scheldt]] Valley. Indications suggest that a [[Castra|castrum]] was built at this location, although the scarcity of excavations at Cambrai in has provided no archaeological evidence.<ref group=b>p.13</ref><ref group=c>p.10</ref> With its area of {{convert|4.4|ha|acre}}, the very modest castrum would've been much smaller than those of [[Boulogne-sur-Mer|Boulogne]] at {{convert|13|ha|acre}} and [[Reims]] at {{convert|56|ha|acre}}, for example.

====Development====
[[Faubourg]]s were developed, at the time of the [[Merovingian dynasty|Merovingian]] prosperity, to the north and west of the primitive castrum, around the churches of Saint-Vaast and Saint-Aubert. The looting of the city by the [[Vikings]] in December 880 convinced the Bishop Dodilon to strengthen and expand fortifications: The new enclosure he built tripled the size of the city.<ref group=b>pp.23–25</ref> To the southeast, on a hillock called Mont-des-Bœufs, Bishop [[Gaugericus]] had founded an abbey in 595, originally dedicated to Saint Médard and Saint Loup, then, after the death of the founder, Gaugericus himself. This abbey was certainly also protected by an enclosure. The space which separated these two urban cores hosted markets and fairs.<ref group=b>p.25</ref>

[[File:Cambrai - Cameracvm vulgo Cambray - Kamerijk (Atlas van Loon).jpg|thumb|right|City map dating from 1649]]
[[File:Map of Cambrai 1710.jpg|thumb|right|Map of 1710]]

These two quarters were joined in the 11th century when Bishop [[Gerard of Florennes|Gérard I]] built the churches of Saint Nicolas and the [[Cambrai Cathedral|Saint Sepulchre]], southeast of the city and east of Mont-des-Bœufs. The Hôtel de Ville (town hall), the market, butcher and various bodies of craftsmen settled in this new urban space that Bishop Lietbert had protected by an earth rampart. Even today the ''Grand-place'', the covered market, and a few names of streets (the ''Rue de Liniers'', ''Rue des Rôtisseurs'', ''Rue des Chaudronniers'' and ''Rue des Cordiers'') recall this stage of urban development.<ref group=b>p.37-38</ref>

The Bishop [[Gerard II (bishop of Cambrai)|Gérard II]] later replaced the earth rampart with a stone wall with towers, gates and ditches and encompassed the entire built space. Therefore Cambrai had reached the perimeter it would retain until the 19th century: While other cities in the region such as [[Bruges]], [[Ghent]] or [[Douai]] expanded their enclosures until the 14th century, that of Cambrai was redesigned and reinforced, but without affecting the outline.<ref group=b>p.61-62</ref><ref group=d>p.355</ref> The outline of this wall from the 11th century is still visible in the current boulevards.

It was probably under the episcopates of the bishops Gérard I, Liebert and Gérard II, in the 11th century, that was built the {{Interlanguage link multi|Château de Selles|fr}}, a fortress located on the edge of the Scheldt to the northwest of the city. In the 13th century, the Bishop Nicolas III de Fontaines ordered work to put it "on a good foot of defence".<ref>{{cite book|first1=Henri|last1=Montigny|title=Le château de Selles à Cambrai, Photographies et documentation|publisher=Centre culturel de Cambrai|year=1982|page=11|display-authors=etal}}</ref> This castle, owned by the bishop-counts, was intended as much to monitor the city as to ensure the defence. Its military role ended in the 16th century, when [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] grabbed the city and ordered the construction, on Mont-des-Bœufs northeast of the town, of a citadel for which 800 houses were demolished along with the Abbey of Saint Gaugericus.<ref group=b>p.106</ref> The Château de Selles was then used as a prison.

====Dismantling of fortifications====
In the 19th century, the city was cramped within its fortified walls, which limited its development and prohibited any urban planning.

{{pull quote|Cambrai is one of the most inaccessible cities imaginable; its fortifications have a formidable appearance when it follows covered paths narrow and tortuous, crossing ditches filled by the Scheldt. Walls of extraordinary height enclose. The entrances, similar to tunnels, and barely sufficient for a car, lead to the city. All this overseen by a very daunting citadel built on top of Mont Saint-Géry.|author={{Interlanguage link multi|Victor-Eugène Ardouin-Dumazet|fr|3=Victor-Eugène Ardouin-Dumazet|lt=Ardouin-Dumazet}}|source=written in 1890.<ref group=a>p.192.</ref>}}

The dismantling of the fortifications, requested by petition as early as 1862, was finally accepted by the State after a further 30 years.<ref group=b>p.236-240.</ref> The work lasted 6 years and transformed the appearance of the city by the construction of a belt of wide [[boulevard]]s, the sale of new land to build, connecting the city to its suburbs and the establishment of public gardens.

====Drainage work====
[[File:Cambrai CPA porte des arquets escaut.jpg|thumb|right|Entry of the [[Scheldt]] into the city through the gate of Arquets (postcard from the early 20th century)]]

Cambrai is built on the edge of the wide marshy area of the Scheldt Valley encircling the western part of the city, the {{Interlanguage link multi|Château de Selles|fr}} to the north at the gate of the Holy Sepulchre in the south: Wet gardens, ponds, meadows, ponds and marsh formed a flood zone sometimes also used for the defence of the city. The suburb of Cantimpré, linking the ancient heart to the Scheldt below to the west, had raised several metres.<ref group=a>p.61</ref> The two arms of the Scheldt (Escaut), the Escautins, are separated before entering the medieval town: The Escauette and the Clicotiau, which bathed the walls of the old urban core. These streams were probably due to man's hand because they do not correspond to natural landforms. However, it is unknown whether their origin dates back to the Roman era or is from a later time.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

Throughout the [[Middle Ages]], and again in modern times, the Scheldt and its arms required constant work: Repair of levees, enhancement of pavement, straightening of the bed, as well as the digging of ditches to regulate the course of the river, prevent floods and ensure as far as possible a steady water level, on which the mills and tanneries depended. Despite these works, floods were frequent.<ref group=a>p.63</ref> The absorption of rainwater and household water descending from the upper areas of the city was also a problem. Bouly spoke in 1842, in his ''History of Cambrai and le Cambrésis'', of "fast torrents [stormwater] formed today by rolling up the Scheldt".<ref>
{{cite book| first1 = Eugène| last1 = Bouly| title = Histoire de Cambrai et du Cambrésis| publisher = Hattu, Libraire-Éditeur|location=Cambrai |year = 1842| volume = 1 | page = 82 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1rg9AAAAcAAJ&q=histoire+de+cambrai}}</ref> In the Middle Ages the "flow of el kayère" (or "flow of the chair"),<ref group=note>So named because of the neighboring [[pillory|infamy chair]]</ref> close to the current ''Grand-Place'', was dug a reservoir for "water courses of the falling waters of the sky", i.e. to control the flow of rainwater. In the 19th century aqueducts were built to carry these waters, and the streets were paved. Furthermore, in 1926 a drainage sewer was built at ''Rue Blériot''.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

The draining of the wetlands that surround the town began in 1804. The work ended in 1951 with the drying of the small stream of Saint Benoît near the Liberty Stadium, itself built on this wetland which dominated the ancient city walls, and in 1953 with the covering of the Clicotiau.<ref group="a" name="p.62"/>

====The 20th century====
[[File:Cambrai grand-place maison a pignon.JPG|thumb|left|upright|On the Grand-Place the specification of reconstruction imposed a regional style]]
[[File:MERESSE 2038 - CAMBRAI Pendant l'incendie - La Choque et Place au Bois.JPG|thumb|right|Ruins of the town centre, in 1917]]

The destruction caused by [[World War I]] necessitated a reconstruction of the centre. The municipality organised a competition, which was won by {{Interlanguage link multi|Pierre Leprince-Ringuet|fr}}. His project, inspired with both a [[Regionalism (politics)|regionalist]] taste and the [[Georges-Eugène Haussmann|Hausmannian]] style, completely redesigned the layout of roads from the [[Middle Ages]]. It was rebuilt as a modern city. The architect [[Louis Marie Cordonnier]] described the prospects to elected representatives:

{{pull quote|The centre of the city is completely razed and destroyed. So, you have free rein. Your duty is to remake a city pleasant, modern, retaining its character. Acting otherwise would be a crime for which you would be responsible to future generations. Your streets were narrow, twisty: Straighten them, adjust them, expand them. Your houses were awkward, obscure, unhealthy: Enforce in your specifications the requirements for hygiene, for ventilation, for lighting.|author=[[Louis Marie Cordonnier]]|source=''La Vie des Cambrésiens'' [The Life of the People of Cambrai]<ref group=a>quote p.199</ref>}}

The Leprince-Ringuet plan was only partially achieved, but the streets were removed, others expanded, and new paths were created as the ''Avenue de la Victoire'' [Avenue of Victory].{{cn|date=February 2025}}

Further destruction due to the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] bombing of April–August 1944 again required a reconstruction. It was especially, in the years following [[World War II]], to rehouse the victims and to cope with the expanding population. Priority was given to detached houses, and new quarters appeared, such as the "Martin–Martine" subdivision south-east of the city. In the 1980s, the municipality worked to restore and develop the ancient heritage.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

===Housing===
Cambrai had 18,112 housing units in 2017, of which 15,925 were occupied as primary residences.<ref name="complet">{{cite web| url = https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2011101?geo=COM-59122| title = Dossier complet: Commune de Cambrai (59122)| publisher = INSEE| access-date = 2020-09-12}}</ref> The proportion of individual housing is 54.2%. [[Primary residence]]s dominate with 87.9%, and one can especially note the very low proportion of [[holiday cottage|secondary residences]] in Cambrai: 1.0%.<ref name="complet"/>

[[File:Lotissement Martin Martine années 1970.JPG|thumb|right|A street of houses in the subdivision "Martin Martine" constructed by the ''Maison Familiale'' group, characteristic habitat of the years 1960–1970]]
[[File:Cambrai vieille rue.JPG|thumb|right|Former habitat in the old Cambrai]]

The proportion of house owners, at 44.3%, is lower than in the rest of the country (57.5%). The tenants are much more numerous, 54.1% in Cambrai, against little more than 40% in France. Among rental housing, the proportion of [[HLM]] housing, at 16.7%, is significantly higher than the national average of 14.8%.<ref name="complet"/>

The age of the accommodation in Cambrai is distinguished from both regional and national averages. Housing is older, on average, in Cambrai than in the rest of the country. The proportion of (pre-1945) "old" housing, is 33.5%, which is significantly higher than the French average of 22.2%. Meanwhile, dwellings built between 1946 and 1970 account for 37.0% of the total in Cambrai, significantly above the 21.5% of the country. This proportion can probably be explained by the necessary reconstruction which followed the destruction of [[World War II]], as well as programmes of Maison Familiale group homes in the 1960s and 1970s. More recent housing is relatively less in the city than in the rest of France or even in the region: 7.3% of accommodation in Cambrai was built between 1991 and 2005, compared with 16.1% in France; 5.2% have been built since 2006, compared with 10.9% in France.<ref name="complet"/> This is probably a consequence of the less dynamic economy and population of the city in recent years.

The agglomeration community seeks to improve the quality of the accommodation by various means: Encourage rehabilitation of vacant properties, expand available accommodation which is suitable for elderly or handicapped people, increase the supply of rentals and promote the construction of more energy-efficient housing. The creation of 960 new social houses was provided over six years, from 2008 to 2014.<ref name="CAChabitat">{{cite web|url = http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/habitat.html|title = La politique de l'habitat|work = Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai|date = 2008|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100603214427/http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/habitat.html|archive-date = 2010-06-03}}</ref>

The {{Interlanguage link multi|Urban social cohesion contract|fr|3=Contrat urbain de cohésion sociale}} signed in 2007 with the city and the urban community was the first of the Nord department. Five quarters, not classified as "sensitive urban areas", are concerned: The old centre where old habitat remains, the ''l'Amérique'' and ''La Forêt'' estates, consisting primarily of multi-family housing, and the ''d'Esnes'' and ''de Guise'' estates dominated by single-family housing.<ref name="CAChabitat"/>

===Development projects===
[[File:Canal docks cambrai.JPG|thumb|right|The entrance from the Scheldt canal, the canal which serves the old docks and warehouses of Cambrai]]
{{Update section|date=December 2023}}
In 2010, the projects of the municipality include:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/Forum-Municipal/Hainaut-Avesnois/Cambrai/Engagements_du_maire/2008/06/14/article_f-x-villain-on-a-pris-des-engagements-q.shtml|title=Engagements du maire : Cambrai – F-X. Villain : " On a pris des engagements qui doivent être tenus "|date=14 June 2008|work=La Voix du Nord|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504031325/http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/Forum-Municipal/Hainaut-Avesnois/Cambrai/Engagements_du_maire/2008/06/14/article_f-x-villain-on-a-pris-des-engagements-q.shtml|archive-date=4 May 2009}}</ref>

*The "docks and warehouses," Brownfield site of {{convert|5|ha|acre}} at the edge of the Saint-Quentin canal, the assignment of which has not yet been determined but which should essentially be devoted to recreation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lobservateurducambresis.fr/actualite/Cambrai-:-Les-docks-et-entrep%C3%B4ts-en-pleine-mutation-399.html|title=Cambrai : Les docks et entrepôts en pleine mutation|date=6 May 2008|work=L'Observateur du Cambrésis|access-date=21 May 2015|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721005847/http://www.lobservateurducambresis.fr/actualite/Cambrai-:-Les-docks-et-entrep%C3%B4ts-en-pleine-mutation-399.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*The rehabilitation of the centre of the Martin–Martine quarter, and in particular the transformation of the green corridor which was originally reserved for an "urban expressway", never realised.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.cambrai.maville.com/actu/actudet_-Reunion-publique-avec-les-habitants-de-Martin-Martine-ce-qui-va-changer-dans-le-quartier_loc-1143394_actu.Htm|title= Réunion publique avec les habitants de Martin–Martine : ce qui va changer dans le quartier|date= 5 November 2009|work= maville.com|access-date= 21 May 2015|archive-date= 22 November 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211122071214/https://cambrai.maville.com/actu/actudet_-Reunion-publique-avec-les-habitants-de-Martin-Martine-ce-qui-va-changer-dans-le-quartier_loc-1143394_actu.Htm|url-status= dead}}</ref>
*The layout of the ''Place du 9-Octobre'' around the Church of Saint-Géry [Saint Gaugericus]
*The redevelopment of the station quarter in the "exchange hub": A study on the development of the multimodal trade hub of Cambrai was launched in 2007 by the agglomeration community of Cambrai in partnership with the city, the Northern Department and the region, with purpose the station District redevelopment and improvement of [[Intermodal passenger transport|intermodality]].<ref>
{{cite web| url = http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/transports/note-de-presentation-du-futur-pole-dechanges.html| title = Note de présentation du futur pôle d'échanges| year = 2008| work = le site de la Communauté d'Agglomération de Cambrai| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100529181443/http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/transports/note-de-presentation-du-futur-pole-dechanges.html| archive-date = 2010-05-29}}</ref>
*The relocation of the library to new premises.
*The "modernisation" of the public garden.

On the other hand, the {{Interlanguage link multi|Plan local d'urbanisme|fr|3=Plan local d'urbanisme|lt=local urbanism plan}} revolves around eight themes: "Cambrai, an urban centre in the countryside", "Preserve and enhance the natural, rural and agricultural space", "Reclaim and restructure", "Render Cambrai fully in its ''urbanity''", "Build upon the city of history", "Save and protect the environment, improve the quality of the living environment", "Ensuring economic and sustainable development", and also "Mastering travel or promoting changes in modes of transport".<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://villedecambrai.com/index.php?id=actus-details&tx_ttnews%5Bpointer%5D=16&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1209&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=1321&cHash=583d3b6b5a|title=Découvrez le P.L.U.|date=22 January 2009|work=ville de Cambrai}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Toponymy==
The location is attested as ''Camaracum'' in the 4th century in the [[Tabula Peutingeriana|Peutinger Table]] and ''Cameracum'' (no date). It recognises the Gallo-Roman suffix of Celtic origin {{Interlanguage link multi|Suffix of -acum|fr|3=Suffixe -acum|lt=''-acum''}} "place of", "property of", preceded by an element not identified with certainty. [[Albert Dauzat]] and [[Charles Rostaing]]<ref>''Dictionnaire étymologique des noms de lieux en France'', Librairie Guénégaud 1978. p.135.</ref> offered the Gallo-Roman type name of a person called Camarus.

This is also found in the anthroponym of [[Chambray]] (Eure) (''Cambracus'' 1011, ''Cameragus'' to 1025). Variants ''Cambarius'' and ''Camarius'' would also explain [[Cambayrac]], [[Chambry, Aisne|Chambry]] in Aine and [[Chambry, Seine-et-Marne|the same]] in Seine-et-Marne, [[Chamery]], [[Chémery]], etc. François de Beaurepaire<ref>''Les noms des communes et anciennes paroisses de l'Eure'', éditions Picard 1981. p.87.</ref> notes that it may also be a pre-Latin ''camar'' or ''cambar'' theme. However, [[Xavier Delamarre]] cited the personal name ''Cambarius'', which he considers as based on the Gallic word ''cambo-'' "curve" (cf. old Irish ''camb'', ''camm'' "curved", "bent" or "twisted"). ''Camarus'' would be a variant of this Gallic nickname meaning "that which is curved".<ref>''Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise'', éditions errance 2003. p.100.</ref>

The Cambrai shape is Normanno-Picard with a hard "C", characteristic of the north of the [[Joret line]] and therefore corresponds to the form of [[Francien language|Francien]] type Chambray. In addition, the name of the town was written ''Cambray'' until the [[French Revolution]].

It is known under the name of ''Kamerijk'' in [[Dutch language|Dutch]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crgfa.org/la-flandre/villes-et-villages/c-d-e|title=Centre de Recherche généalogique Flandre-Artois|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626121639/http://www.crgfa.org/la-flandre/villes-et-villages/c-d-e|archive-date=2015-06-26}}</ref> and formerly ''Kamerich'' in [[German language|German]] and ''Camberick/Cambrick'' in [[English language|English]].

==Politics and administration==
===Political trends and results===
Overall, voting in Cambrai is little different from the national vote, but the abstention rate is often higher: For example, it was 34.86% in the 2005 referendum (against 30.63%); 22.07% in the first round of the 2007 presidential election (compared with 16.23%) and 38.13% in the first round of the legislative elections of 2002 (compared to 35.58%).

Cambresiens voters seem also more cautious with regard to the [[European Union]] and the French in general: The [[referendum]] on the ratification of the Treaty on European Union of 1992 was rejected by 53.35%, while at the national level it was approved by a narrow majority of 51.04%. In 2005, the draft law on the ratification of the [[Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe]] was rejected more widely in Cambrai (59.8% of voted "No") than at the national level (54.67%).

In the [[2007 French presidential election|presidential election of 2007]] the results of the second round were very close to national figures: 54.07% for [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] and 45.93% for [[Ségolène Royal]], against respectively 53.06% and 46.94% at the national level. In the first round [[Jean-Marie Le Pen]] achieved a slightly better result at Cambrai (13.28%) than France (10.44%), while [[François Bayrou]] was in a reversed situation (16.77% against 18.57%). [[Arlette Laguiller]] (2.02%) and [[Olivier Besancenot]] (4.77%) were the only other candidates to exceed 1.5%. In the second round of the [[2002 French presidential election|presidential election of 2002]] [[Jacques Chirac]] arrived largely in the lead in Cambrai as in the rest of the country but Jean-Marie Le Pen's result was higher (21.11% against 17.79%).

In the [[2007 French legislative election|legislative elections of 2007]], [[François-Xavier Villain]], the candidate related to the [[Union for a Popular Movement|UMP]] and who was also the incumbent Mayor of Cambrai, achieved 57.42% in the first round (48.03% in the constituency). All the other candidates were below the national percentage of their party. For example, the [[Socialist Party (France)|Socialist Party]] achieved 22.91% against 24.73%, the [[French Communist Party|Communist Party]] at 3.10% compared to 4.29% and the UDF at 6.21% against 7.61%. The decline of the [[National Front (France)|National Front]] was also more marked in Cambrai (4.14%) than elsewhere (4.24%). One finds a situation close to the [[2002 French legislative election|2002 elections]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats/|title = Résultats électoraux en France|work = Minister of the Interior, de l'outre-mer et des collectivités territoriales|date = 6 April 2010|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111129115403/http://www.interieur.gouv.fr/sections/a_votre_service/elections/resultats|archive-date = 29 November 2011}}</ref>

In the first round of the [[2012 French presidential election|presidential election of 2012]], the four candidates in the lead in Cambrai were [[Nicolas Sarkozy]] ([[Union for a Popular Movement|UMP]], 28.29%), [[François Hollande]] ([[Socialist Party (France)|PS]], 27.56%), [[Marine Le Pen]] ([[National Front (France)|FN]], 20.81%) and [[Jean-Luc Mélenchon]] ([[Left Front (France)|Left Front]], 10.14%) with a turnout of 72.61%. In the second round, François Hollande was in the lead with 50.75% of the vote, with a participation rate of 73.09%.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://elections.interieur.gouv.fr/PR2012/031/059/059122.html|title=Les résultats de l'élection présidentielle 2012 |work=Minister of the Interior}}</ref>

===Municipal government===
[[File:Cambrai-Hôtel-de-Ville.jpg|thumb|right|The city hall, inaugurated in 1932]]

Cambrai is the [[chef-lieu]] of one of the six [[Arrondissement of Cambrai|arrondissement]]s in the [[Nord (French department)|Nord department]]. Cambrai is also the seat of the [[canton of Cambrai]], which consists of 27 communes (including Cambrai).

Since 22 December 1992, Cambrai is the seat of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Agglomeration Community of Cambrai|fr|3=Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai}} which includes 33 communes and approximately 68,000 inhabitants. The city also adheres to the following intercommunal structures:

*The Intercommunal Association of Sanitation of the Cambrai Agglomeration (SIAC).
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Single-purpose intercommunal syndicate|fr|3=Syndicat intercommunal à vocation unique|lt=SIVU}} ''"Scènes mitoyennes"'' ["Adjoining Stages"], created in August 2000, brings together the communes of Cambrai, [[Caudry]], [[Escaudœuvres]] and [[Neuville-Saint-Rémy]] with which it harmonises cultural policies.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.villedecambrai.com/index.php?id=1285|title=Scènes Mitoyennes|publisher=Ville de Cambrai}}</ref>
*SIVU ''"Murs mitoyens"'' ["Adjoining Walls"], operational since 1 January 2006 and headquartered in Caudry, its mission is to educate the various planning authorities for the two cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dialogue.mda-caudry.fr/dialogue_39.pdf|title=Dialogue – Bulletin d'informations municipales|year=2006|work=Ville de Caudry}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*The Intercommunity Association of the energy of the Cambrésis (SIDEC), which is headquartered at Neuville-Saint-Rémy, brings together the 111 communes in the arrondissement. It concedes the management of the public service energy distribution to [[Électricité Réseau Distribution France|ERDF]] and manages the work of strengthening and concealment of networks.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/Forum-Municipal/Hainaut-Avesnois/Cambrai/2009/05/15/article_le-sidec-cette-etrange-entite-qui-gere-n.shtml|title = Le SIDEC, cette étrange entité qui gère notre énergie|work = La Voix du Nord|date = 15 May 2009}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*The {{Interlanguage link multi|Scheme of territorial coherence|fr|3=Schéma de cohérence territoriale}} (SCoT) of le Cambrésis (via the agglomeration community of Cambrai).
*The Joint Association for the Enhancement of the Upper Scheldt (via the agglomeration community of Cambrai).

Cambrai was merged with the commune of [[Morenchies]] in 1971.

===List of mayors===
Since 1945, Cambrai has had three mayors. The city, after having constantly re-elected a [[French Section of the Workers' International|Socialist]] mayor from the Liberation until 1977 in the person of Raymond Gernez, has since been administered by mayors from RPR or the related UMP: Jacques Legendre until 1992, then François-Xavier Villain. The latter was elected to the [[Nord's 18th constituency|18th constituency in Nord]] on 16 June 2002 and re-elected in 2007 and 2012.
{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 auto;"
|+ List of mayors of Cambrai
! Start
! End
! Name
! Party
! Other details
|-
|20 May 1945
|20 March 1977
|{{Interlanguage link multi|Raymond Gernez|fr}}
|[[French Section of the Workers' International|SFIO]] then [[Socialist Party (France)|PS]]
|Député of Nord (1958–1973)
|-
|20 March 1977
|October 1992
|[[Jacques Legendre (French politician)|Jacques Legendre]]
|[[Rally for the Republic|RPR]]
|Député of Nord (1973–1981), Minister, Senator
|-
|18 October 1992
|In progress
|[[François-Xavier Villain]]
|[[Rally for the Republic|RPR]] related, then [[Union of Democrats and Independents|UDI]]
|Député of Nord (2002–)<br />Re-elected for the 2014–2020 term.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/cambrai-installation-du-conseil-municipal-ia13b0n2028313|title=Cambrai : Installation du conseil municipal, François-Xavier Villain élu maire pour la cinquième fois|work=La Voix du Nord|date=31 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123231638/http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/cambrai-installation-du-conseil-municipal-ia13b0n2028313|archive-date=23 January 2015}}</ref>
|}

===Judicial and administrative authorities===
Cambrai was for a short time the seat of the [[Parlement]] of [[French Flanders]], from 1709 until its transfer to [[Douai]] in 1713.

The city is now within the jurisdiction of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Court of Appeal of Douai|fr|3=Cour d'appel de Douai}}. It is the seat of a {{Interlanguage link multi|Tribunal de grande instance (France)|fr|3=Tribunal de grande instance (France)|lt=high court}} whose jurisdiction coincides with the boundaries of the [[arrondissement]], a [[Tribunal d'instance]] and an [[Labour Court (France)|industrial tribunal]], installed in the restored {{Interlanguage link multi|Château de Selles|fr}}. With the reform of the judicial map launched in 2007 the city has lost its [[Tribunal de commerce|commercial court]] and is linked to that of Douai.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.carte-judiciaire.justice.gouv.fr/index.php?rubrique=10352&ssrubrique=10371|title = La réforme de la carte judiciaire|work = Ministère de la Justice|date = 1 December 2009|access-date = 21 May 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081123023000/http://www.carte-judiciaire.justice.gouv.fr/index.php?rubrique=10352&ssrubrique=10371|archive-date = 23 November 2008|url-status = dead}}</ref>

===Environmental policy===
The environmental policy is one of the competences of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Community of the agglomeration of Cambrai|fr|3=Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai}}.

==Twin towns and sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}}

Cambrai is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web|title=Relations Internationales|url=https://www.villedecambrai.com/vie-quotidienne/la-vie-associative/annuaire-des-associations/relations-internationales/|website=villedecambrai.com|publisher=Cambrai|language=fr|access-date=2019-11-12|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112155128/https://www.villedecambrai.com/vie-quotidienne/la-vie-associative/annuaire-des-associations/relations-internationales/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Pushkin, Saint Petersburg]], Russia
*{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Châteauguay]], Canada, since 1980
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gravesham]], United Kingdom, since 1989
*{{flagicon|HUN}} [[Esztergom]], Hungary, since 1991
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Cieszyn]], Poland

==Population==
===Demographics===
In 2018, the commune had 32,501 inhabitants.<ref name=compar/> 
{{Historical populations
|align=center
|cols=3
|footnote = From 1962 to 1999: Population without double counting; for the years following: municipal population.
|source   = Ldh/[[School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences|EHESS]]/Cassini (1793-1999)<ref>{{Cassini-Ehess|6666|Cambrai}}</ref> and INSEE (1968-2017)<ref name=pophis>{{cite web|url= https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-59122|title= Évolution et structure de la population en 2017 |publisher= INSEE|access-date= 1 September 2020}}</ref>
| graph-pos = bottom
 | 1793| 15427
 | 1800| 13799
 | 1806| 15608
 | 1821| 15851
 | 1831| 17646
 | 1836| 17848
 | 1841| 20141
 | 1846| 20648
 | 1851| 21344
 | 1856| 21405
 | 1861| 22557
 | 1866| 22207
 | 1872| 22897
 | 1876| 22079
 | 1881| 23448
 | 1886| 23881
 | 1891| 24122
 | 1896| 25250
 | 1901| 26586
 | 1906| 27832
 | 1911| 28077
 | 1921| 26023
 | 1926| 29193
 | 1931| 28542
 | 1936| 29655
 | 1946| 26129
 | 1954| 29567
 | 1962| 32897
 | 1968| 37584
 | 1975| 39049
 | 1982| 35272
 | 1990| 33092
 | 1999| 33738
 | 2007| 32296
 | 2012| 32847
 | 2017| 32558
}}

The [[urban unit]] (''unité urbaine'') of Cambrai had 46,772 inhabitants in 2018, and the [[functional area (France)|urban area]] (''aire urbaine'') 94,576 inhabitants.<ref name=compar/> In other less populated regions, Cambrai would be an important city, but in [[Nord-Pas-de-Calais]], densely populated and urbanised, the city and its suburbs come far behind [[Lille]] (1,143,125 inhabitants), [[Douai]]-[[Lens, Pas-de-Calais|Lens]] (552,682), [[Valenciennes]] (399,677), [[Dunkirk]] (265,974) and [[Maubeuge]] (125,000).

The population of Cambrai increased little over the centuries: Estimated at 10,000 souls in the 15th century, it is, according to a memorandum of intendant who described it as "very diminished", at 12,000 in 1698.<ref group=b>p.95</ref> At the end of the Revolution, in 1801, it was still only approximately 15,000 inhabitants.

It increased slowly but steadily throughout the 19th century with a net decline in the early 20th century: the birth rate, as everywhere else in France, declined. At the same time, infant mortality remained high (20.3% in 1900, 10.2% on the eve of the war),<ref group=b>p.247</ref> which explains the low natural growth.

The population growth resumed at a rapid pace between the end of [[World War II]] and the beginning of the 1970s (the [[Trente Glorieuses]]), through [[Rate of natural increase|natural increase]] ([[Post–World War II baby boom|baby boomers]] and sharp decline of [[infant mortality]]) and the [[Rural flight|rural exodus]], which slowly emptied the villages of Cambrésis of their population (partial) towards the town of Cambrai. This dynamism, however, showed however signs of stalling since 1968: in fact, the progress of jobs (+27.5% from 1952 to 1975) did not follow that of the population (+44.2%).<ref group=b>p.281</ref>

The curve was brutally reversed by the [[1973 oil crisis]]. The city's population plummeted from the 1975 census, net migration which was largely positive in the 1960s became negative, while the natural balance, which remains positive, tends to shrink. Many traditional activities have disappeared (chocolate production, brewery, chicory, weaving, metallurgy, etc.), representing several thousand jobs.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|+ Demographic evolution 1968–2017<ref name=pophis/>
! scope=row | Period
! scope=col | 1968–1975
! scope=col | 1975–1982
! scope=col | 1982–1990
! scope=col | 1990–1999
! scope=col | 1999–2007
! scope=col | 2007–2012
! scope=col | 2012–2017
|-
! scope=row | Average annual population change in %
| +0.5
| −1.4
| −0.8
| +0.2
| −0.5
| +0.3
| −0.2
|-
! scope=row | Due to [[Rate of natural increase|natural increase]]
| +1.1
| +0.7
| +0.5
| +0.4
| +0.3
| +0.2
| -0.0
|-
! scope=row | Due to [[Net migration rate|net migration]]
| −0.6
| −2.1
| −1.3
| −0.1
| −0.9
| +0.1
| −0.2
|}

====Age structure====
The graphics below represent the age structure in 2017 of the population of the commune of Cambrai, and of the Nord department. The population of Cambrai is relatively old, partly compensated by a higher representation of the age group 15–29 years.

{|align="center" width="100%"
|-
|width="50%"|
{{Data bars
| title = Population by age of Cambrai, 2017
| scale = 0.02 | style = 2
| source = INSEE <ref name=pophis/>
| columns = 7   | 90+| 75–89| 60–74| 45–59| 30–44| 15–29| 0–14
| blue|  male| 78| 1126| 2178| 2968| 2675| 3308| 2838
| red | female| 389| 2054| 2984| 3243| 2731| 3399| 2587
}}
|width="50%"|
{{Data bars
| title = Population by age of Nord, 2007 (%)
| scale = 0.0002 | style = 2
| source = INSEE <ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=DEP-59| title = Évolution et structure de la population en 2017: Département du Nord (59)| work = INSEE| access-date = 1 September 2020}}</ref>
| columns = 7   | 90+| 75–95| 60–74| 45–59| 30–44| 15–29| 0–14
| blue|  male | 5383| 64004| 174563| 240736| 247923| 261702| 263076
| red | female| 17447| 110249| 204052| 251359| 254069| 259099| 250699
}}
|}

====Population distribution====
The population distribution of Cambrai (active population aged 15 or more in employment) by {{Interlanguage link multi|Professions and socioprofessional categories in France|fr|3=Professions et catégories socioprofessionnelles en France|lt=socio-professional category}} showed an under-representation of managers and higher intellectual professionals (10.0%) with the French average (16.3%), in 2017, and vice versa slightly higher proportions of [[Manual labour|manual workers]] (28.3% compared with 21.5%) and [[employee]]s (30.2% against 28.5%). The proportion of {{Interlanguage link multi|Profession intermédiaire|fr|3=Profession intermédiaire|lt=intermediate professionals}} is lower (22.8% against 24.8%). The percentage of [[farmer]]s is naturally low in Cambrai (0.2%).<ref name=complet/>

The distribution of the population over the age of 15 years, and not enrolled in study, showed lower education rates than those of metropolitan France in 2017, most significantly in the higher levels (Baccalauréat or Bac+5 years of study).<ref name=complet/>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|+ Population not in training over the age of 15 by qualification (%)
! scope="col" | Level
! scope="col" | Cambrai
! scope="col" | France
|-
! scope="row" | No tuition or any diploma
| 27.4
| 22.8
|-
! scope="row" | [[National diploma (France)|BEPC]] or equiv.
| 6.7
| 5.6
|-
! scope="row" | {{Interlanguage link multi|Certificat d'aptitude professionnelle|fr|3=Certificat d'aptitude professionnelle|lt=CAP}} or {{Interlanguage link multi|Brevet d'études professionnelles|fr|3=Brevet d'études professionnelles|lt=BEP}}
| 25.7
| 24.8
|-
! scope="row" | [[Baccalauréat|Bac]] or {{Interlanguage link multi|Brevet professionnel|fr|3=Brevet professionnel|lt=BP}}
| 16.9
| 16.9
|-
! scope="row" | Bac+2
| 9.6
| 10.9
|-
! scope="row" | Bac+3 or +4
| 7.8
| 8.9
|-
! scope="row" | Bac+5 or more
| 5.9
| 10.1
|}

==Education==
Cambrai is the seat of a pool of training divided into three districts (Cambrai-North, Cambrai-South and Cambrai-Le Cateau) and dependent on the {{Interlanguage link multi|Direction des services départementaux de l'Éducation nationale|fr|3=Direction des services départementaux de l'Éducation nationale|lt=Education Authorities}} of [[Nord (French department)|Nord]] and the [[Academy of Lille]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://netia59a.ac-lille.fr/~siteia/etablissements/circonscriptions.php|title = Les circonscriptions du département du Nord|work =le site de l'Inspection académique du Nord}}</ref>

===Schools===
The city administers twelve {{Interlanguage link multi|École maternelle in France|fr|3=École maternelle en France|lt=nursery schools}}, and eleven {{Interlanguage link multi|École élémentaire in France|fr|3=École élémentaire en France|lt=elementary schools}}.

The department manages four {{Interlanguage link multi|Collège in France|fr|3=Collège en France|lt=colleges}}: Jules-Ferry, Fénelon,<ref name="fénelon">{{cite web|url = http://www4b.ac-lille.fr/~feneloncambrai/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080310224553/http://www4b.ac-lille.fr/~feneloncambrai/|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2008-03-10|title = page d'accueil|work = le site de la cité scolaire Fénelon}}</ref> Lamartine and Paul-Duez.

The [[Nord-Pas-de-Calais]] region operates four {{Interlanguage link multi|Lycée en France|fr|3=Lycée en France|lt=high schools}}: Fénelon,<ref name="fénelon"/> Paul-Duez<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.paulduez.org/|title = page d'accueil|work =le site du lycée Paul-Duez}}</ref> and the vocational [[Louise de Bettignies]]<ref>{{cite web|url = http://bettignies.cambrai.free.fr/home.php|title = page d'accueil|work = lycée professionnel [[Louise de Bettignies]]|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220614/http://bettignies.cambrai.free.fr/home.php|archive-date = 2011-07-20}}</ref> and Louis-Blériot.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www2c.ac-lille.fr/bleriot-cambrai/site.htm|title = page d'accueil|work = lycée professionnel Louis-Blériot|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://archive.today/20071113192345/http://www2c.ac-lille.fr/bleriot-cambrai/site.htm|archive-date = 2007-11-13}}</ref> Cambrai also has a private institution, the ensemble of Saint-Luc, bringing together three former private schools merged in September 2009: Collège Jeanne d'Arc, Institution Notre Dame de Grace (college and high school of general and technological education) and the vocational high school La Sagresse.<ref name="saintluc">{{cite web|url = http://www.saintluc-cambrai.com/|title = page d'accueil |work =ensemble Saint-Luc
}}</ref>

===University life===
Cambrai hosts two branches of the [[University of Valenciennes and Hainaut-Cambresis]] (UVHC), and [[Lille 2 University of Health and Law|Lille-2]].

UVHC antenna prepares eleven diplomas, which include of DUT, IUP, Master Pro, professional licenses (including "Cultural Actions and Promotion of Heritage" and "Trades of Archaeology") and licenses.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.locatecambraifrance.com/page-10026-universite-valenciennes-hainaut-cambresis.html|title = Université de Valenciennes et du Hainaut-Cambrésis : antenne de Cambrai|work = Cambrai Développement Économique|access-date = 23 May 2015|archive-date = 7 April 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130407052419/http://www.locatecambraifrance.com/page-10026-universite-valenciennes-hainaut-cambresis.html|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The branch of Lille-2 prepares to obtain a license "mention droit" or "mention economic and social administration", as well as three professional licenses: For management of small-medium businesses, for transportation of goods and for security professions.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://droit.univ-lille2.fr/index.php?id=150|title = page d'accueil|work = Université Lille 2 Droit et Santé : antenne de Cambrai|access-date = 23 May 2015|archive-date = 22 May 2013|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130522183558/http://droit.univ-lille2.fr/index.php?id=150|url-status = dead}}</ref>

Finally, Catholic teaching. The whole of Saint Luc de Cambrai<ref name="saintluc"/> was a centre of higher education (Sup'Sagesse) from Bac+1 to Bac+5: BTS optician, BTS insurance, NRC, MUC, AG and AM, two professional licenses ("Operational Marketing Manager" and "Contingency Insurance and Management of Goods") and finally a Professional Master of "Entrepreneurial Strategy and Management", opened to the entrepreneurs.

With nearly 500 students in alternation, learning or school track, Sup'Sagesse<ref name="saintluc"/> is a real city centre campus, incorporating a boarding school.

Other institutions of higher education in Cambrai are the {{Interlanguage link multi|École supérieure d'art de Cambrai|fr|3=École supérieure d'art de Cambrai|lt=Ecole Supérieure of Art of Cambrai}}<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.esac-cambrai.net/|title = page d'accueil|work =École supérieure d'Art de Cambrai}}</ref> and the Institute of Nursing Education.

Among the [[Alumnus|alumni]] of the [[École des Beaux-Arts]] of Cambrai are Marie-Anne and Ludovic Belleval who are now both the [[Lamour Mill, Briastre|Lamour Mill]]'s [[Ownership|owners]] and [[curator]]s in [[Briastre]].

==Health==
Medical density is quite good at Cambrai, when compared with the regional and national averages. In the agglomeration community there are 2.04 general practitioners per 1,000 inhabitants (Nord Pas-de-Calais region and metropolitan France 1.65), and 1.98 specialist doctors per 1,000 inhabitants (region: 1.39, metropolitan France: 1.74).<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.insee.fr/fr/regions/nord-pas-de-calais/default.asp?page=themes/tableau_de_bord/TB02camb.htm#sante|title = CAMBRAI : Communauté d'Agglomération |work =le site de l'Insee Nord Pas-de-Calais|date = September 2009}}</ref>

The Saint-Julien hospital, which housed the poor and the sick, was founded in 1070.{{cn|date=January 2024}} Today it remains as a chapel adjoining the municipal theatre. Over the following centuries, other hospitals were founded: The Saint-Lazare Hospital for lepers, the Charité Hospital, Saint-Jean Hospital, the Saint Jacques au Bois Hospital to welcome the pilgrims, the general hospice of La Charité founded in 1752 to accommodate the elderly, beggars and the marginalised.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

After [[World War II]], the construction of a modern hospital was envisaged.{{cn|date=January 2024}}

The Central Hospital of Cambrai<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ch-cambrai.fr/|title = page d'accueil|work =Centre Hospitalier de Cambrai}}</ref> has a capacity of 770 beds and 108 seats. It employs a staff of 150 officers and has a non-medical staff of 1,200. Three annex buildings are reserved for medium and long stay, maternity (1982) and Psychiatry (1983–1884) patients. A Nursing Training Institute was opened in 1967.

The work for the construction of the present site began in 1959, the installation of the patients being carried out between 1966 and 1968.{{cn|date=July 2024}} In 2007, the work to modernise and expand the central hospital was undertaken.{{Cn|date=July 2024}}

The 2010 prize list of "the safest hospitals" places the Central Hospital of Cambrai as the 11th best in the national ranking.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lexpress.fr/palmares/hopitaux/resultats.asp|title = Le palmarès 2010. des hôpitaux les plus sûrs|date= 10 December 2009|work =L'Express}}</ref>

Cambrai has three private clinics: The Sainte-Marie Clinic, Saint-Roch clinic and the Cambrésis Clinic.

==Economy==
Cambrai is the seat of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Cambrésis|fr|3=Chambre de commerce et d'industrie du Cambrésis}}. In April 2007, it decided to merge with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Arras, a decision which was called into question on 4 October 2007, by the Ministry of Supervision of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lavoixeco.com/actualite/Bassins_d_emploi/Hainaut/Cambresis/2007/10/06/article_il_n_y_aura_pas_de_fusion_entre_les_cci_de_cambra.shtml|title = Il n'y aura pas de fusion entre les CCI de Cambrai et d'Arras|work = Voix Éco|date = 6 October 2007|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150511090116/http://www.lavoixeco.com/actualite/Bassins_d_emploi/Hainaut/Cambresis/2007/10/06/article_il_n_y_aura_pas_de_fusion_entre_les_cci_de_cambra.shtml|archive-date = 11 May 2015}}</ref>

As a result of the planned closure in 2012 {{Interlanguage link multi|Airbase 103 of Cambrai-Epinoy|fr|3=Base aérienne 103 Cambrai-Épinoy}}, Cambrai and [[Cambrésis]] are classified from 1 January 2010 and until 31 December 2012 in the free zone "Zone of Defence Restructuring", allowing enterprises to create, settle or develop tax and social security exemptions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.locatecambraifrance.com/page-1018.html|title=Cambrésis classé Zone Franche ZRD|work=Cambrésis Développement Économique|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=12 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512132020/http://www.locatecambraifrance.com/page-1018.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Economic history===
[[File:Sucrerie escaudoeuvres.jpg|thumb|right|An example of the development of the food industry in the nineteenth century, the [[Escaudœuvres]] sugar factory, deemed the largest in Europe]]

As early as the [[Middle Ages]], Cambrai was both an agricultural market for its region, which produces mainly cereals and wool, and a centre of weaving (sheets, [[Isatis tinctoria|woad]], cloth, linen, chiffon). This dual role would persist for a long time. The drapery declined at the end of the 13th century but it was replaced by [[batiste]], a speciality of the city, which experienced its greatest trend in the 17th century.<ref group=b>p.137</ref> Production declined, in turn, in the following century, but in 1775 there were still 58,000 pieces of batiste marked to Cambrai.<ref group=b>p.161</ref>

Economic activity declined under the [[First French Empire|First Empire]] due to the wars and the British [[blockade]]. In the 19th century, the textile industry remained as the dominant activity of the city, with 2,546 workers, men, women and children, in 1848.<ref group=b name="HC222">p.222</ref> Batiste made the bulk of Cambrai's trade with other productions such as soap and refined sea salt. The [[food industry]] grew: Brasserie, chicory; the [[Bêtise de Cambrai]] was invented in 1850.<ref group=b name="HC222"/>

In the 19th century, the city was industrialised, especially when compared to its neighbours. Municipal officials often refused the installation of new factories, on behalf of sanitation or lack of space. The [[Sucrerie centrale de Cambrai]] was created in 1872, by Jules Linard<ref>William Marlière, ''Croissance et mutations d'une entreprise agro-alimentaire : La Sucrerie Centrale de Cambrai'', mémoire de maîtrise.</ref> on the territory of the town of [[Escaudœuvres]]. However, according to the census of 1886, industry was supporting more than 9,000 people, while agriculture used only 2,000 at most. The city mainly developed its commercial function: At the beginning of the 20th century the branch of the [[Banque de France|Bank of France]] from Cambrai ranked 12th in France, before Nice and Toulouse.<ref group=b>p.244</ref>

===Business and shops===
There are four zones and parks of activity in the agglomeration:
* The industrial zone of Cantimpré, to the south-west of the city.
* The Actipole Park, on the edge of the A2 autoroute {{convert|2|km}} west of Cambrai, offers a total area of {{convert|97|ha}}. As it is completely occupied, it is being extended.
* The zone of Fontaine-Notre-Dame, a kilometre from the A26 autoroute, offers a total area of {{convert|75|ha}}.
* The zone of South Cambrai Proville, one kilometre to the south of Cambrai, on the {{Interlanguage link multi|Route nationale 44 (France)|fr|3=Route nationale 44 (France)|lt=RN 44}}, in the direction of Saint-Quentin, is devoted to the commercial areas over an area of {{convert|40|ha|acre}}.

The economy of Cambrai is based on four pillars:
* [[Agriculture]], which occupies a third of the territory of the commune.
* The [[agribusiness|agri-food industry]], which occupies an important place in the economy of the commune (confectionery, candy, dairy, etc.) due to strong agricultural activity ([[intensive farming]] of [[Animal husbandry|livestock]] and [[cereal]]s) in the arrondissement (80% of the area).
* Logistics, benefitting from the situation of the commune of Cambrai in the heart of the triangle London–Paris–Benelux and the intersection of two motorways, tends to be concentrated in the western part of the agglomeration. Thus all of the {{convert|97|ha|acre}} of the Actipôle Raillencourt zone of activity located {{convert|2|km}} west of Cambrai on the edge of the A2 autoroute are now used, partly by distribution undertakings, for a thousand jobs around. The extensions Actipole 2 and 3 are underway or study.
* [[Textile industry|Textile]], found predominantly in the rest of the arrondissement ([[Caudry]], [[Villers-Outréaux]], etc.) is represented in Cambrai by clothing and linens. The Cambrai region is associated with those of [[Calais]] and the [[Métropole Européenne de Lille]] within the Up-Tex [[Pôle de compétitivité en France|competitiveness cluster]], specialised in textile products high performance and customisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/biblioth/docu/kiosque/cahiers/cahier3.htm|title=Chiffres clés et Documentation, ministère de l'Économie et des Finances|date=13 November 2023 }}</ref>

The Central Hospital of Cambrai, the commune of Cambrai, [[Auchan]], Les Papillons blancs, [[Cora (hypermarket)|Cora]], TANIS (chemistry, rubber, plastic), the ''Compagnie des Engrenages et Réducteurs Messiaen Durand'' (mechanical equipment) and the departmental fire and rescue service were, in order, the eight major employers in the town, in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.insee.fr/fr/regions/nord-pas-de-calais/default.asp?page=themes/tableau_de_bord/TB02camb.htm#entreprises|title = Indicateurs de la Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai par thèmes : entreprises|work =INSEE Nord Pas-de-Calais}}</ref>

===Perspectives===
The future [[Seine–Nord Europe Canal|Seine-Scheldt link]], the commissioning of which is scheduled for 2016,<ref>
{{cite web|url = http://www.seine-nord-europe.com/|title = Étapes du projet|work =VNF – Mission Seine-Nord Europe}}</ref> is today one of the most promising elements of economic development to the city and the area of Cambrai. The [[Combined transport|multimodal]] platform of activities of [[Marquion]], {{convert|10|km}} west of Cambrai and on {{convert|156|ha|acre}}, should be employed to host European logistics and distribution centres and agro-food industries.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.locatecambraifrance.com/page-10073-plate-forme-multimodale-cambrai-marquion.html|title = La plate-forme multimodale de Cambrai-Marquion|work = Cambrai Développement Économique|access-date = 20 May 2015|archive-date = 17 August 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100817090008/http://www.locatecambraifrance.com/page-10073-plate-forme-multimodale-cambrai-marquion.html|url-status = dead}}</ref>

===Income of the population and taxation===
{{Update section|date=February 2024}}
In 2009, the median {{Interlanguage link multi|Revenu fiscal par ménage en France|fr|3=Revenu fiscal par ménage en France|lt=taxable household income}} was €15,302, which ranks Cambrai at 25,917th place among the 31,604 communes with more than 50 households in metropolitan France.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.insee.fr/fr/ppp/bases-de-donnees/donnees-detaillees/base-cc-resume-stat/base-cc-resume-stat-10.zip|title= CC-Résumé statistique/com,dep,zone empl|work=INSEE}}</ref>

In 2008, 263 Cambrai tax households performed the [[solidarity tax on wealth]], for a mean wealth of €1.665 million and an average tax amount of €5,017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lesechos.fr/medias/2009/0828//300372105.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007084055/http://www.lesechos.fr/medias/2009/0828/300372105.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-10-07 |title=Impôt de solidarité sur la fortune 2008 |work=Les Échos }}</ref>

===Employment===
According to the results of the 2017 Census, the economically [[workforce|active population]] aged 15 and over of the commune included 14,454 people, 24.3% were [[unemployment|unemployed]] (France: 13.9%).<ref name="complet"/>

The distribution of jobs by [[business sector|sector of activity]] shows the predominant weight (almost 90%) of the [[Tertiary sector of the economy|tertiary sector]]. This distribution reflects the role which the administrative and commercial centre plays in the commune for the surrounding countryside.

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|+ Distribution of jobs by fields of activity (end of 2015)<ref name="complet"/><ref name=France/>
|-
! scope="row" | Domain
! scope="col" | Agriculture
! scope="col" | Industry
! scope="col" | Construction
! scope="col" | Commerce
! scope="col" | Services
|- style="background:#D1E8FF"
! scope="row" | Cambrai
| 0.1%
| 6.6%
| 3.7%
| 36.0%
| 53.7%
|-
! scope="row" | National average
| 1.1%
| 13.9%
| 6.0%
| 46.5%
| 32.5%
|}

The distribution of jobs by socio-professional categories shows under-representation of "executives and intellectual professions", and "farmers", as well as an over-representation of the "intermediary professions" and "employees".

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"
|+ Distribution of employment by socio-professional categories (2017 Census)<ref name="complet" /><ref name=France>
{{cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2011101?geo=FE-1|title=Dossier complet: France entière|work=INSEE}}</ref>
|-
! scope="row" | Category
! scope="col" | Farmers
! scope="col" | Artisans, merchants,<br />business leaders
! scope="col" | Executives,<br />intellectual professions
! scope="col" | Intermediate professions
! scope="col" | Employees
! scope="col" | Workers
|- style="background:#D1E8FF"
! scope="row" | Cambrai
| 0.2%
| 4.6%
| 10.0%
| 22.8%
| 30.2%
| 28.3%
|-
! scope="row" | National average
| 1.3%
| 6.0%
| 16.2%
| 24.8%
| 28.5%
| 21.5%
|}

The journeys to work are mostly by car (75.9%, France 70.5%) and one can note the low weight of public transport (5.8% against an average of 15.1% in France).<ref name="complet" />

==Culture and heritage==

===Cultural events and festivities===
On 15 August is the communal festival of Cambrai, and one of the highlights of the popular local life. This great festival (or {{ill|Ducasse (festival)|fr|Ducasse|lt=Ducasse}}) extends for ten days in the ''Place de l'Hôtel de ville'' [City Hall Square]. The day of 15 August is punctuated by the traditional parade of the giants {{Interlanguage link multi|Martin and Martine|fr|3=Martin et Martine}}, symbols of the city, and a fireworks display. This festival, originally a procession which took place the day after [[Trinity Sunday]], dates back to 1220. It was embellished over time with fireworks, banquets and cavalcades, and was regarded as one of the seven wonders of the [[Cambrésis]]. Over the centuries the festival has changed, reflecting the concerns of the contemporary: Since attachment to France it has been celebrated on 15 August, festival of the [[Assumption of Mary|Assumption]], in response to the wish of [[Louis XIII]] to devote the Kingdom to the Virgin; in 1790 it celebrated the [[Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen|Declaration of the Rights of Man]] and the [[Fête de la Fédération]]; in 1802, with the signature of the [[concordat]], the image of Our Lady of Grace was again carried in procession, reinforced by the bust of [[François Fénelon|Fénelon]]. Under the [[First French Empire|First Empire]] it celebrated his Imperial Majesty [[Napoleon]]. In the 19th century, finally, interests turned more to local life, and the progress of science and industry.<ref group=a>p.196</ref>

Musically, the town of Cambrai receives two festivals. Firstly, the ''Juventus'' classical music festival. The Juventus association mark young talented European soloists. They are appointed, if they accept it, "Juventus Winners" during their first participation in a Juventus festival. Every summer the old and the new winners gather for a fortnight at the festival to prepare chamber music concerts in exceptional conditions. ''Juventus'', established in 1991 at the [[Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans]], was set at Cambrai from 1998 with the help of the General Council of the department.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.music-juventus.fr/|title = page d'accueil|work = festival Juventus|access-date = 20 May 2015|archive-date = 3 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150703134458/http://www.music-juventus.fr/|url-status = dead}}</ref> Meanwhile, {{Interlanguage link multi|BetiZFest|fr|3=BetiZFest|lt=''BetiZFest''}} is an alternative music festival, which has been organised since 2003. It is organised during the month of April. ''Les Féodales'' is a street show which represents the [[Middle Ages]]. The last edition took place in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lobservateurducambresis.fr/actualite/Cambrai-:-pas-de-Feodales-l-an-prochain--3418-flash.html|title=Cambrai : pas de Féodales l'an prochain|year=2009|publisher=L'Observateur du Cambrésis|access-date=20 May 2015|archive-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721005840/http://www.lobservateurducambresis.fr/actualite/Cambrai-:-pas-de-Feodales-l-an-prochain--3418-flash.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Cambrai city hall is the national headquarters of the Union for the horse breed of the "[[Trait du Nord]]". The Trait du Nord national competition is traditionally held during the last weekend of July at the ''Palais des Grottes''. Bringing together the elite of the breed, it ends on Sunday afternoon on the ''Place de l'hôtel de Ville'' with a grand parade, the most important festive presentation in France of a breed of draft horses.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.trait-du-nord.fr/|title = Trait-du-Nord|work = groupe associatif " Cheval de Trait "|access-date = 20 May 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150905144618/http://www.trait-du-nord.fr/|archive-date = 5 September 2015|url-status = dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

===Media===
The ''[[La Voix du Nord (daily)|La Voix du Nord]]'' regional daily publishes a local edition. The ''L'Observateur du Cambrésis'' is a weekly local news and announcements. The municipal newspaper ''Le Cambrésien'' is distributed in all the mailboxes of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.villedecambrai.com/toute-lactualite/cambresien.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115065205/http://www.villedecambrai.com/toute-lactualite/cambresien.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-15|title=Journal municipal: Le Cambrésien|work=la ville de Cambrai}}</ref>

Cambrai is part of the territory served by radio BLC, a community radio station whose programmes are broadcast from [[Caudry]]. The inhabitants of Cambrai also have, in addition to some national radio stations, the programmes of [[France Bleu Nord]], [[Chérie FM]] Cambrai and [[RFM (French radio station)|RFM Nord]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csa.fr/infos/operateurs/operateurs_radio_frequences_tableau.php|title=Liste des fréquences radio|publisher=CSA}}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The city is covered by the programmes of [[France 3 Nord-Pas-de-Calais|France 3 Nord]] and the national [[Television in France|DTT]] channels. It also received the regional channel of {{Interlanguage link multi|Wéo|fr}}. Oxygen TV is a [[Web television|web TV]] channel "100% of Cambrai" devoted to local information.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://oxygentv.fr/index.php|title = page d'accueil|work = Oxygen TV|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100201180614/http://www.oxygentv.fr/index.php|archive-date = 2010-02-01}}</ref>

===Religion===
The people of Cambrai have places of [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], [[Protestantism|Protestant]] and [[Islam|Muslim]] worship.

Cambrai is the seat of a Catholic [[archbishop]]ric, [[Suffragan bishop|suffragan]] of Lille since 29 March 2008. Until then, it was the opposite situation with the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cambrai|Archdiocese of Cambrai]] as the metropolitan archdiocese and Lille and [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Arras|Arras]] as its suffragans. The Archdiocese of Cambrai includes the arrondissements of Cambrai, Valenciennes and Avesnes-sur-Helpe. The [[deanery]] of Cambrai brings together 13 churches<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cathocambrai.com/page-37273.html|title= Nouveau doyen à Cambrai|work=Paroisse Notre-Dame de Grâce de Cambrai}}</ref> grouped into two [[parish]]es:<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.cathocambrai.com/rubrique-2443-cambrai.html|title= Cambrai : Doyenné accueillant l'Archevéché et la Cathédrale|work=Archidiocèse de Cambrai}}</ref> Our Lady of Grace<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://cathedrale.cathocambrai.com/|title=page d'accueil|work=Paroisse Notre-Dame de Grâce de Cambrai|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117074814/http://cathedrale.cathocambrai.com/|archive-date=2012-01-17}}</ref> and Saint Vaast-Saint Géry.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.stvaast-stgery.com/|title= page d'accueil|work=Paroisse Saint-Vaast Saint-Géry de Cambrai}}</ref>

The [[Baptists|Baptist]] community has an Evangelical Baptist Church,<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://egbapcam.free.fr/|title= page d'accueil|work=église évangélique baptiste de Cambrai}}</ref> just as there is a parish of the [[Reformed Church of France]].<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://erfcambresis.free.fr/home.html|title= page d'accueil|work=église réformée du Cambrésis}}</ref>

The Moroccan cultural and religious association of Cambrai manages the Al Mohssinine [[Mosque]] of Escaudain.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.mosquee-escaudain.fr/details/mosquee/mosquee-de-cambrai-ennour.html|title=page d'accueil|work=Association culturelle et cultuelle d'Escaudin|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325112009/http://www.mosquee-escaudain.fr/details/mosquee/mosquee-de-cambrai-ennour.html|archive-date=2008-03-25}}</ref>

===Sports===
[[File:Centre nautique Cambrai.JPG|thumb|left|The Liberté Swimming Centre]]

Cambrai has over a hundred clubs or sporting associations, including the {{Interlanguage link multi|Cambrai Hockey Club|fr}}<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.cambraihockeyclub.com/|title = page d'accueil|work = le site du Cambrai Hockey Club|access-date = 2010-06-12|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100612004350/http://www.cambraihockeyclub.com/|archive-date = 2010-06-12|url-status = dead}}</ref>  playing in the Women's [[field hockey]] Championship of France, as well as the team of {{Interlanguage link multi|Cambrai Volley-Ball|fr|3=Cambrai Volley-Ball|lt=Cambrai Volley Élan du Cambrésis}}<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.cambraivolley.com|title = page d'accueil|work =le site de Cambrai Volley}}</ref> which plays in the League (2nd division) and is the only professional club of le Cambrésis.

Facilities include six gymnasiums, two swimming pools, of which the Liberty Swimming Centre was rebuilt and reopened in 2008, the Arsenal de Balagny, which was built between 1581 and 1595, abandoned by the army in 1967 and then rehabilitated as a gym, a leisure centre, a hockey stadium, a rugby stadium and many football pitches, including the Liberty Stadium, home of [[AC Cambrai]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://acc-football.footeo.com/|title = page d'accueil|work =Athletic Club de Cambrai}}</ref>

Cambrai has a rowing club that goes under the name of ''Union Nautique de Cambrai''. The club is regularly present to the Rowing French Championships. In the early 2000s, one of its feminine team members made it to the World Championships. Since then, the club has been in the phase of beginning a new cycle based on renewed team members, especially youngsters.
Every year, the club is home to the Regattas of Cambrai, during which clubs from Northern France gather for sprint-races on a 1000m distance.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.lavoixdunord.fr/region/aviron-dix-clubs-presents-pour-les-regates-de-cambrai-ia13b0n2801181 | title=Aviron : Dix clubs présents pour les Régates de Cambrai | date=29 April 2015 }}</ref>

The game of {{Interlanguage link multi|Billon (game)|fr|3=Billon (jeu)|lt=billon}} is practiced traditionally in regions of Cambrai and Douai.

Cambrai was the departure point for Stage 4 of the [[2004 Tour de France]]<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.letour.fr/2004/presentationfr/parcours.html|title = Parcours|work = Tour de France 2004|access-date = 21 May 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100717170536/http://www.letour.fr/2004/presentationfr/parcours.html|archive-date = 17 July 2010|url-status = dead}}</ref> and once again the departure point of Stage 4 in the [[2010 Tour de France]].<ref>
{{cite web|url = http://www.letour.fr/2010./TDF/LIVE/fr/400/videos.html?target=150975|title = La course 2010. – étape 4 – Cambrai Reims|work = Tour de France}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Cambrai hosted the finish of Stage 4 in the [[2015 Tour de France]], on 7 July, with a route from [[Seraing]].

In 2010, the newspaper ''[[L'Équipe]]'' ranked Cambrai among the top five cities as the most sporty in France with more than 20,000 inhabitants, along with [[Lorient]], [[Colmar]], [[Antibes]] and [[Tarbes]]. The special prize of "Sport and Disability" was awarded to the city for its access to sport for people with disabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.villedecambrai.com/toute-lactualite/cambresien.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115065205/http://www.villedecambrai.com/toute-lactualite/cambresien.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-01-15|title=Journal municipal: Le Cambrésien n° 146|work=Ville de Cambrai}}</ref>

=== French sartorial heritage ===
The city was a pivotal center of [[mulquinerie]].

===Sites and monuments===
{{unreferencedsect|date=December 2023}}
[[File:Cambrai Porte Notre-Dame.JPG|thumb|right|The Notre-Dame Gate (1634)]]

A large part of the monumental heritage of Cambrai has disappeared over the centuries. It was firstly [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], in order to build a citadel at the Mont-des-Bœufs, who ordered the destruction of the Abbey Saint-Gery of Gothic style in 1543.

During the [[French Revolution]] all of the religious buildings of the town were sold as national property and destroyed, including the [[Old Cambrai Cathedral|old cathedral]]. Only four churches, a converted attic, a hospital, a temple of reason and a prison, were spared.

The dismantling of the fortifications, from 1894, led to the disappearance of many [[City gate|gates]]. Some have been preserved thanks to the interventions of the Society of Emulation of the city.

[[World War I]] was again responsible for significant destruction, the German army having undermined and torched the city centre before retreating in September 1918.  A total of 1,214 buildings were destroyed, including the city hall, which was rebuilt in the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style before the Revolution by the architects [[Jacques Denis Antoine]] and [[Nicolas-Henri Jardin]].<ref group=a>p.208</ref>

Finally at the end of [[World War II]], in April 1944, and then again in May, July and until 11 August, Cambrai suffered Allied bombardments. A total of 55% of the buildings were heavily damaged and 13% were completely destroyed.

Despite this considerable destruction, the city kept an important monumental heritage. Cambrai has been classified as a [[French Towns and Lands of Art and History|City of Art and History]] since 1992, the first town of the Nord department to obtain this prestigious label.

====Religious heritage====
[[File:Cathédrale Notre-Dame Cambrai .JPG|thumb|right|The Cathedral of Our Lady]]

The [[Cambrai Cathedral|Our Lady of Grace Cathedral]] was completed in 1703, in the classical style of the time, as the abbey church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church survived the turbulence of the [[French Revolution]] as a Temple of Reason from 1794. The admirable [[Old Cambrai Cathedral|Gothic Cathedral]] from the 12th century was destroyed in the aftermath the Revolution of 1789. There is no trace on the present ''Place Fénelon'' of the former building. Bishop Louis Belmas adopted the former abbey church as the new cathedral in 1801.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lecompte |first1=Denis |title=Notre-Dame-de-Grace |date=2005 |publisher=Éditions du Signe |location=Strasbourg |isbn=2-7468-0759-9 |pages=5–10}}</ref>

The apse contains the monumental tomb of Fénelon, a masterpiece of the sculptor [[David d'Angers]], and the semitransepts with ''l'Icône Notre Dame de Grâce'' [the Icon of Our Lady of Grace] and the nine reputed [[grisaille]]s by [[Marten Jozef Geeraerts|Geeraerts]] of Antwerp. The grand [[Organ (music)#Chamber organ|organs]] were built by the house of {{Interlanguage link multi|Pierre Schyven|fr}} of Ixelles in 1897. After the events of [[World War I]], extensive restoration was undertaken by the organ builder Auguste Convers, who brought the current instrument to 49 stops with 3,670 pipes. The building was classified in the inventory of [[Monument historique|Historic Monuments]] on 9 August 1906.<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107395}}</ref>
[[File:Église Saint-Géry de Cambrai - Le chevet 01.jpg|thumb|upright|Saint-Géry]]
The {{Interlanguage link multi|Grand Seminary Chapel|fr|3=Chapelle des Jésuites de Cambrai}} most commonly called the College of the Jesuits' Chapel, completed in 1692, is a unique example of [[Baroque]] art in France, to the north of Paris. The chapel served as a prison to the nearby Revolutionary Court in 1794, and it was classified in the inventory of Historic Monuments on 30 April 1920.<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107400}}</ref>

The {{Interlanguage link multi|Église Saint-Géry de Cambrai|fr|3=Église Saint-Géry de Cambrai|lt=Church of Saint-Géry}}, a listed historical monument since 26 November 1919,<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107402}}</ref> is one of the oldest monuments of Cambrai. It contains a remarkable [[Rood screen|choir screen]] in polychromatic marble carved by the Cambrai native [[Gaspard and Balthazard Marsy|Gaspard Marsy]] as well as ''La mise au tombeauu'' by [[Peter Paul Rubens]] dating from 1616. The grand organs built in 1867 by [[Joseph Merklin|Merklin]] were the subject of a significant transformation in 1978. The current instrument has 41 stops. This church has been the subject of a restoration of the frontage and roofing over a period of four years (2011–2015).

Other buildings of Cambrai are also classified or listed as Historic Monuments. The former {{Interlanguage link multi|Convent of the Recollects of Cambrai|fr|3=Couvent des Récollets de Cambrai|lt=Convent of the Recollects}} has been registered since 2 March 1943,<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107401}}</ref> and the {{Interlanguage link multi|Béguinages Saint-Vaast and Saint-Nicolas|fr|3=Béguinages Saint-Vaast et Saint-Nicolas}} have been classified as Historic Monuments since 1949.<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107394}}</ref>

====Military heritage====
The Citadel: Despite its dismantling in the 19th century, the Citadel of Charles V retained the counter-mine galleries which are today buried; the Royal gate and drawbridge, classified in the inventory of historical monuments on 14 April 1932,<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107399}}</ref> flanked on the back of two guardhouses and an arsenal of the 16th century. Among subsequent developments, a powder magazine, housing for officers and a "bombproof" barracks of the 19th century are also noteworthy.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

The {{Interlanguage link multi|Château de Selles|fr}} is an old fortified château, which was built in the 11th century. Once isolated by the waters of the Scheldt, it has retained its towers and walls and especially buried ducts. The ducts include much graffiti which attests to the desperation of the prisoners, confined on the orders of the Count-Bishop.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

The {{Interlanguage link multi|Porte de Paris (Cambrai)|fr|3=Porte de Paris (Cambrai)|lt=Portes de Paris}} (late 14th century),<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107413}}</ref> {{Interlanguage link multi|Porte Notre-Dame (Cambrai)|fr|3=Porte Notre-Dame (Cambrai)|lt=Notre Dame}} (17th century)<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107412}}</ref> and the {{Interlanguage link multi|Tour Saint-Fiacre|fr|3=Tour Saint-Fiacre|lt=Tours des Sottes}} (or Saint-Fiacre),<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA59000006}}</ref> the Caudron (1st half of the 15th century)<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA59000005}}</ref> and {{Interlanguage link multi|Tour des Arquets|fr|3=Tour des Arquets|lt=Arquets}} (16th century)<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107415}}</ref> are the remains of the medieval walls.

====Civil heritage====
[[File:Carillon-Cambrai.jpg|thumb|left|Martin and Martine strike the hours in the bell tower of the Hôtel de Ville (town hall)]]

The {{Interlanguage link multi|Belfry of Cambrai|fr|3=Beffroi de Cambrai}}, formerly the bell tower of the Church of Saint-Martin. The monument, built in the 15th century, became a belfry of Cambrai in 1550. Classified in the inventory of historical monuments on 15 July 1965,<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107416}}</ref> in 2005 the belfry was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] as part of the [[Belfries of Belgium and France]] site, in recognition of its architecture and importance to the history of municipal power in Europe.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/943 |title= Belfries of Belgium and France |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization |access-date = 6 November 2021}}</ref>

The city hall, renovated in 1932, opens onto the ''Grand'Place'' by a majestic Greek-style façade, surmounted by a bell tower where two bronze bell ringers, giant and Moorish type, strike the hours on a big bell above the big clock: {{Interlanguage link multi|Martin and Martine|fr|3=Martin et Martine}}, the protectors of the city. The marriage hall contains a series of frescoes and can be visited on request.

The Hotel de Francqueville (18th century) houses the rich collections of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Museum of Cambrai|fr|3=Musée de Cambrai}}, considerably enlarged and renovated in 1994.{{cn|date=October 2024}} The relief map of the city, as it was at the end of the 17th century, is the starting point for essential guided tours of the city.

The ''Maison Espagnole'' [Spanish House], headquarters of the Tourist Office, dates from 1595 and is the last house which is half-timbered and gabled on regional-style street. Oak sculptures ([[chimera (mythology)|chimera]]s and [[caryatid]]s) which adorned its façade in the 19th century are exposed on the first floor inside after undergoing a serious restoration. One can visit its medieval cellars. This building has been classified in the inventory of historical monuments on 31 August 1920.<ref>{{Base Mérimée|PA00107409}}</ref>

[[File:Marché couvert Cambrai.JPG|thumb|right|The covered market]]

The covered market, built after World War II, is home to lively Les Halles market days.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

The subterranean space<ref group="a" name="p.37"/> which extends below the centre of the city, as in other medieval cities, was explored in the middle of the 19th century as well as to the end of the 20th century. Carved into the white chalk, it includes galleries and Romanesque and Gothic vaulted rooms. There are also wells and niches for statues. These excavations have served as quarries for the extraction of construction materials, as well as stone for lime: The {{Interlanguage link multi|Catiche|fr|3=Catiche|lt="catiches"}} [underground quarries] are inverted funnels about {{convert|15|m|ft}} deep and {{convert|10-12|m|ft}} wide at the base.{{cn|date=October 2024}} This underground space was also used, until 1944, for shelters and caches during sieges, invasion or bombing.{{cn|date=October 2024}} Their dating is uncertain: It is not impossible that some of these excavations were carved during the Roman era, but it is likely that they were spaced out over a long period, according to the needs. Tours are organised by the tourist office.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

====Memorial heritage====
The German military cemetery of the ''Route de Solesmes'' and Cambrai East Military Cemetery: The cemetery and the ''Route de Solesmes'' was created by the German army in March 1917. Occupied since 1914, Cambrai was an important centre of command, logistics and health for the occupant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheminsdememoire-nordpasdecalais.fr/visiter-les-sites/le-front/cimetiere-militaire-allemand-de-la-route-de-solesme-et-cambrai-east-military-cemetery.html|title=Chemins de mémoire de la Grande Guerre en Nord-Pas-de-Calais}}</ref> The cemetery was opened to accommodate the bodies of soldiers who died in hospitals in the city, including at the end of the [[Battle of Arras (1917)|Battle of Arras]] (April–May 1917) and the [[Battle of Cambrai (1917)|Battle of Cambrai]] (November–December 1917). The cemetery currently has 10,685 German graves, as well as those of 192 Russian prisoners of war and six Romanians.<ref>[[German War Graves Commission]]</ref> Two spaces, forming the Cambrai East Military Cemetery, contain the graves of 501 soldiers of the British Imperial Army.<ref>[[Commonwealth War Graves Commission]]</ref>

===Environmental heritage===
[[File:Kiosque à musique Cambrai.JPG|thumb|The bandstand is one of the oldest in France]]

Cambrai has the label "Floral City" with three flowers awarded by the ''National Council of Floral Cities and Villages of France'' in the [[Concours des villes et villages fleuris|Floral Competition of Cities and Villages]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnvvf.fr/site/index.php?page=1&idpt=59|title=Palmarès 2009 du concours des Villes et Villages Fleuris}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The current public garden dates from the 19th century, which saw the creation of green spaces in the middle to encourage [[Hygiene|hygienics]] and which were liberated in addition to the areas occupied by the fortifications. This garden, divided into three distinct but contiguous parts, is located on the site of the old fortifications that surrounded the citadel built under [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]]:

[[File:Grottes Jardin public Cambrai.JPG|thumb|left|The "caves" of the public garden]]

*The "flower garden", designed by the landscape architect [[Jean-Pierre Barillet-Deschamps]], was established between 1852 and 1865 on {{convert|6|ha|acre}}. This garden was originally the only one planned but, at the insistence of the prefect of the time, it was increased to {{convert|9|ha|acre}} in 1864.<ref group=a>p.198</ref>
*The "Monstrelet Garden" designed "in English", was soon added to the previous. It is so called because it houses a statue of [[Enguerrand de Monstrelet]], chronicler of the [[Middle Ages]] who was the [[Prévôt|Provost]] of Cambrai. In 1876, the bandstand was erected, built on the plans of André de Baralle.
*The "garden of caves", built in the early 19th century, carries a total area of more than {{convert|15|ha|acre}}. The "caves", decorated with a waterfall, were the main attraction and gave their name to this part of the garden. They were completed in 1906 and in 2010 are awaiting rehabilitation.

These gardens, and in particular their statues, were damaged by the two world wars. In 1972, a modern hall, named as the ''Palais des Grottes'' [Mansion of Caves] and hosting exhibitions, trade fairs and concerts, was built in the middle of the garden of the same name.
[[File:Canard végétal sur un rond-point à Cambrai.jpg|thumb|121x121px|Plant swan on a roundabout]]
A few other squares or gardens complement the green spaces of Cambrai: Fenelon Square, established in 1861 to the designs of Barillet-Deschamps on the site of the [[Old Cambrai Cathedral|ancient metropolis]] and decorated in 1864 with a water fountain, that of the ''Place Marcelin Berthelot'', which dates from 1911. This is at the foot of the walls of the Château de Selles, dating from the same year. That beside the Arquets tower dates from 1954.<ref group=c>p.199</ref> The avenues and boulevards planted with trees and flowers to complete make Cambrai a "green" city.

===Cultural heritage===
[[File:Théâtre Cambrai.JPG|thumb|The theatre of Cambrai, between the National Conservatory of Music and Dramatic Art and the chapel of the old Saint-Julien Hospital]]

The [[Musée des Beaux-Arts de Cambrai]] opened in 1847 to present revolutionary seizures, has been installed since 1893 in a mansion of the 18th century, the Hotel de Francqueville. Renovated in 1994, it has three departments (archaeology, fine arts and heritage of Cambrai) on {{convert|4300|m2|sqft}} of which the most important is that of art. It presents Flemish and Dutch paintings from the 17th century and French artists of the 19th and 20th century. A recent donation also allowed it to present a collection of geometric [[Abstraction (art)|abstraction]]s of the second half of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://villedecambrai.com/index.php?id=1296|title = Musée|work =le site de la ville de Cambrai}}</ref>

The Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art still officially retains its label "[[Musée de France]]",<ref group=note>Label renewed by Ministerial Decree of 17 September 2003</ref> although it was closed to the public in 1975. This private museum is managed by the diocese, which is looking for ways to reopen the collections to the public. The items of this collection may be the subject of loans for temporary exhibitions and include objects from the archaeological excavations of the city of Cambrai, architectural elements, sculpture, paintings, pieces of jewellery and liturgical ornaments.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.liturgiecatholique.fr/Musee-diocesain-d-Art-Sacre-du.html|title = Musée diocésain d'Art Sacré de Cambrai|work = portail de la liturgie catholique| date=23 June 2023 }}</ref> This museum's history began in 1926 when Monseignor {{Interlanguage link multi|Jean-Arthur Chollet|fr|3=Jean-Arthur Chollet|lt=Chollet}}, Archbishop of Cambrai, established a commission of religious history and sacred art aimed to inventory and preserve the archives and movable heritage of the diocese. Canon Cyrille Thelliez became secretary. In 1958, many religious objects from the diocese were gathered together and Thelliez founded the Diocesan Museum, the first religious art museum opened in France. The museum was installed in the former chapel of the Grand Seminary.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://villedecambrai.com/index.php?id=1296|title = Un service diocésain de la conservation du patrimoine: l'exemple du diocèse de Cambrai (Nord)|author = Caroline Biencourt|date = 22 July 2009|work =In Situ, revue des patrimoines}}</ref>

The Théâtre de Cambrai was built in 1924 by the architect {{Interlanguage link multi|Pierre Leprince-Ringuet|fr}}, on the site of a chapel of the 16th century which was destroyed during [[World War I]]. The chapel had been abandoned for 25 years when its rehabilitation was undertaken in 1999. The renovated theatre was inaugurated in 2003. It is an Italian theatre of 700 seats which hosts various performances, including those of the ''Scènes mitoyennes'' [Adjoining Stages] association and the {{Interlanguage link multi|Festival Juventus|fr|3=Festival Juventus|lt=Juventus classical music festival}}.

The ''Palais des grottes'' [Mansion of Caves] situated in the public garden, is a large multi-purpose hall with a capacity of 1,500 people and which can accommodate concerts, (including the {{Interlanguage link multi|BetiZFest|fr}}), fairs or exhibitions. Its remarkable roof shape, formed of a [[paraboloid|hyperbolic paraboloid]] (or "saddle"), was built in 1974 by then-advanced techniques and demonstrates a concrete form of architecture in the 20th century.<ref group=a>pp.216–217</ref>

The media library is a classified municipal library:<ref>
{{cite web|url = http://www.mediathequedecambrai.fr|title = page d'accueil|work =le site de la médiathèque de Cambrai}}</ref> It has an important old [[fonds]], with 956 manuscripts, the oldest dating back to the 7th century, from the confiscations made during the revolutionary era to religious communities, very important in the city, and emigrants of the region. This fonds was subsequently enriched by gifts, bequests and purchases.<ref>
{{cite web|url = http://www.numerique.culture.fr/mpf/pub-fr/document.html?id=FR-DC-B591226101_001|title = Enluminures médiévales de la bibliothèque municipale de Cambrai|work = catalogue national Patrimoine numérique|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720213756/http://www.numerique.culture.fr/mpf/pub-fr/document.html?id=FR-DC-B591226101_001|archive-date = 2011-07-20}}</ref> In 1975, it was one of the first institutions to adopt the title of "media library". It is divided into four services: Youth, adults, library and local history and old books.

Cambrai has a national school of music and dramatic arts<ref>
{{cite web|url = http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/conservatoire/presentation.html|title = Présentation du conservatoire|work = Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100803015510/http://www.agglo-cambrai.fr/fr/vie-communautaire/conservatoire/presentation.html|archive-date = 2010-08-03}}</ref> which obtained the ''Conservatoire à rayonnement départemental'' label in 2007.

===Culinary specialities===
[[File:Bêtises de Cambrai.jpg|thumb|right|Bêtises de Cambrai]]

The two best-known gastronomic specialties of Cambrai are the {{Interlanguage link multi|Andouillette de Cambrai|fr}}, a sausage traditionally made of ground veal (which was prohibited by European regulations, following the episode of [[Bovine spongiform encephalopathy|mad cow disease]], [https://www.weekend-esprithautsdefrance.com/la-gastronomie-des-hauts-de-france/andouillette-andouille until 2015]), which associated gastronomic society is one of the most representative in the region, and the [[Bêtise de Cambrai]], a coated mint confection which is one of the most emblematic gourmet specialties of France.

The gastronomy of Cambrai also accounts for other less known specialities: Tripe, liver pâté with plums, hare with grapes, [[hochepot]] of [[partridge]] with puréed lentils, but also the {{Interlanguage link multi|Boulette de Cambrai|fr}}, [[fromage blanc]] with fine herbs, and also a cheese [[trademark]]ed as {{Interlanguage link multi|Tome de Cambrai|fr|3=Tome de Cambrai|lt="Tome de Cambrai"}}, or even crackers and ''pain crotté'' [muddy bread] (a type of [[French toast]]).

===Heraldry, motto===
{{Blazon-arms
|img1=Blason cambrai.svg
|legend1=Arms of Cambrai
|text=The arms of Cambrai are [[blazon]]ed:<br />''"Or, a double-headed eagle sable, (haloed) beaked and membered gules, overall an inescutcheon Or, 3 lions azure."''<br /><br />The first known arms appear on a seal from 1340. They represented an eagle holding in its talons the arms of le Cambrésis, ''"of Or three Lion Cubs of azure"''. Under the Spanish domination these arms were slightly modified, the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire became an honourable figure<ref group=note>The honourable ordinaries are large enough to be able to be 'honoured' ([[Charge (heraldry)|charged]]).</ref> and arms of the Cambrésis being removed. The coat of arms thus means "Cambrai city of the empire and capital of the Cambrésis".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://svowebmaster.free.fr/drapeaux_cambrai.htm|title=Drapeau, armoiries et emblèmes de Cambrai|work=Société Vexillologique de l'Ouest}}</ref>
}}

{{Blazon-arms
|img1=Blason Cambrai chambre de commerce.png
|legend1=
|text=The eagle is usually surmounted with the ducal crown, the city having been elevated to a Duchy in 1510. In 1815 Cambrai received from [[Louis XVIII]] the right again to its ancient arms. In 1919, it was awarded the cross of the [[Legion of Honour]], and in 1945 the [[Croix de guerre 1939–1945 (France)|Croix de Guerre]].<br/><br/>On the front of the Chamber of Commerce (shown adjoining), built after the [[World War I]], the arms are surmounted by the Ducal Crown, framed by the giants {{Interlanguage link multi|Martin and Martine|fr|3=Martin et Martine}}, and increased by the cross of the Legion of Honour.
}}

The motto of the city has changed several times:

*1579: ''"Cambray, city of peace."''
*1580: ''"Concordia parvæ res crescunt"'' ("Harmony makes small things grow"). This motto is the same as that of the [[Dutch Republic|United Provinces]] (''"[[Unity makes strength]]"'')
*Current motto: ''"Proud of its past, sure of its future."''

The logo of the city is a stylisation of the steeples of the [[Cambrai Cathedral|cathedral]], the Saint-Géry Church and {{Interlanguage link multi|Belfry of Cambrai|fr|3=Beffroi de Cambrai|lt=belfry}}, a visual signature of the city, visible from afar. Locally, Cambrai is known as "the city of three spires".

===Military life===
In 1711–1712, during the [[War of the Spanish Succession]], the regiments of {{Interlanguage link multi|Roussillon Regiment|fr|3=Régiment de Roussillon|lt=Rousillon}} and [[Régiment Royal-Comtois|Royal-Comtois]] had their barracks at Cambrai.<ref>Several acts have reported the presence of these regiments in the period between November 1711 and August 1712.</ref>

From the late 19th century, two military units were stationed at Cambrai. The [[1st Infantry Regiment (France)|1st Infantry Regiment]] was quartered at Cambrai from 1870 to 1914, when it left for Belgium, before returning in 1919. It was split between the citadel and the Renel barracks. In 1940 it was again sent to Belgium, before being dissolved in 1942 in the free zone and did not return to Cambrai. The {{Interlanguage link multi|4th Cuirassier Regiment|fr|3=4e régiment de cuirassiers (France)}} arrived in Cambrai in 1889 and is the Mortier quarter. This regiment was dissolved at the end of [[World War I]]. After [[World War II]] the Mortier quarter was assigned to the Selection Centre No. 2, today disbanded.

Until 2012, the {{Interlanguage link multi|Airbase 103 Cambrai-Épinoy|fr|3=Base aérienne 103 Cambrai-Épinoy|lt=Airbase 103}} "[[René Mouchotte]]" was near the city, founded in 1953 and which hosted the 01.012 Fighter Squadron "Cambrésis" created in 1952, the 02.012 "Picardy" and the 03.012 "Cornouailles" [Cornwall], as well as a ground-to-air defence squadron.

===Cambrai in literature and cinema===
*[[Ernst Jünger]] in ''[[Storm of Steel]]'', dedicated to [[World War I]], described Cambrai in 1917:

{{pull quote|Cambrai is a small, quiet and sleepy city of Artois (sic), to the name of which is attached many historical memories. Narrow and antiquated alleys run like a maze around the huge city hall, doors eaten away by the centuries and many churches, the largest of which saw Fénelon preach. Heavy steeples stand amongst a jumble of pointed gables. Broad avenues lead to a well-kept public garden, which is adorned with a monument to Louis Blériot.
The inhabitants are peaceful and cordial people, who lead in their big houses, simple in appearance, but richly furnished, with a life of wellbeing. The small city has been rightfully nicknamed "the city of millionaires" because, just before the war, there were forty of these [[Croesus]]-like people.

The [[World War I|Great War]] tore this hole of the province in its sleep of Sleeping Beauty and the gigantic turn of home struggles...
| author = [[Ernst Jünger]]
| source = ''[[Storm of Steel]]''<ref>Ernst Jünger, ''Orages d'acier'', Christian Bourgeois 1970, traduction de [[Henri Plard]].</ref>
}}

*The streets of Cambrai served as a backdrop to ''Sang noir'' [Black Blood], a 90-minute fiction filmed from 7 March to 6 April 2006 through Production of [[France 3]] Lille, based on the novel of the same name by [[Louis Guilloux]] which takes place in 1917 in a small town, far from the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].
*In 2007, the construction of the bypass of Cambrai was used for the filming of the movie ''[[In the Beginning (2009 film)|In the Beginning]]'' by [[Xavier Giannoli]]. Some scenes of the film ''Présumé coupable'' [Presumed Guilty], by Vincent Garenq, were shot at Cambrai in April 2010.
*The comic book ''[[Asterix and the Banquet]]'' by [[René Goscinny|Goscinny]] and [[Albert Uderzo|Uderzo]] have a journey to various cities in Roman Gaul, including ''Camaracum'' (Cambrai): [[Asterix (character)|Asterix]] and [[Obelix]] buy [[Bêtise de Cambrai|bêtise]]s.
*The young-adult novel ''Les Bêtises de Cambrai'' (Airvey, 2011) by Eric Callens.

===Cambrai and philately===
Four postage stamps have been issued in connection with the city of Cambrai:

*10 July 1947, a stamp commemorating [[François Fénelon|Fénelon]], Archbishop of Cambrai, with a face value of 4.50 [[French franc|Franc]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phil-ouest.com/Timbre.php?Nom_timbre=Fenelon_1947|title=Oblitération illustrée 1er jour à Cambrai (Nord)|date= 26 January 2008|work= phil-ouest.com de Bernard Le Lann}}</ref>
*19 February 1972, a stamp commemorating [[Louis Blériot]], born in Cambrai, with a face value of 0.50 Francs with surcharge: 0.10 Francs for the benefit of the French Red Cross.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phil-ouest.com/Timbre.php?Nom_timbre=Bleriot_1972|title=Oblitération 1er jour à Cambrai (Nord)|date= 3 March 2010|work= phil-ouest.com de Bernard Le Lann}}</ref>
*14 May 1977, a stamp commemorating the capture of Cambrai in 1677 and the annexation of Cambrésis by France, with a face value of 0.80 Francs<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phil-ouest.com/Timbre.php?Nom_timbre=Cambresis_1977|title=Oblitération 1er jour à Cambrai (Nord)|date= 25 February 2009|work= phil-ouest.com de Bernard Le Lann}}</ref>
*25 July 2009, a stamp commemorating the crossing of the English channel by [[Louis Blériot]], with a face value of €2.00.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phil-ouest.com/Timbre.php?Nom_timbre=Bleriot_2009|title=Oblitération illustrée 1er jour à Paris (Musée des Arts et Métiers), à Blériot-Plage (Pas-de-Calais), à Cambrai (Nord) et à La Baule (Loire-Atlantique)|date= 8 March 2010|work=phil-ouest.com de Bernard Le Lann}}</ref>

==Notable people==
[[File:Holbein-erasmus.jpg|thumb|right|[[Desiderius Erasmus|Erasmus]]]]
[[File:Louis Bleriot.jpg|thumb|right|[[Louis Blériot]]]]
*[[Villard de Honnecourt]], lived in Cambrai, architect of the 13th century
*[[Pierre d'Ailly]] (1351–1420), Bishop of Cambrai from 1397 to 1411
*[[Nicolas Grenon]] (c. 1375–1456), died in Cambrai, composer
*[[Guillaume Dufay]] (c. 1400–1471), died in Cambrai, composer
*[[Desiderius Erasmus|Erasmus]] (1469–1536), appointed Secretary of the Bishop of Cambrai in 1493
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Noé Faignient|fr}} (c. 1540–before 1600), born in Cambrai, composer
*[[Franciscus van der Burch]] (c. 1567–1644), named seventh Archbishop of Cambrai in 1616
*[[Amé Bourdon]] (1636 or 1638–1706), born in Cambrai, [[physician]] and [[anatomist]]
*[[François Fénelon|François de Salignac de La Mothe-Fénelon]] (c. 1651–1715), appointed Archbishop of Cambrai in 1695
*[[Guillaume Dubois]] (c. 1656–1723), known as Cardinal Dubois. appointed Archbishop of Cambrai, though never set foot there
*[[Charles François Dumouriez]] (1739–1823), born in Cambrai, soldier and politician
*[[Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet|Francisco de Carondelet]] (1747–1807), in Noyelles, Spanish governor of [[Louisiana Territory|Louisiana]], president of the ''[[Audiencia Real|Audiencia]]'' of [[Quito]]
*[[Joseph Le Bon]] (born c. 1765–1795), envoy of the [[Committee of Public Safety]], made the [[Reign of Terror]] in Cambrai
*[[Charles Defrémery]] (1822–1883), orientalist born in Cambrai
*[[Charles Cordier]] (1827–1905), born in Cambrai, sculptor of ethnographic subjects
*[[Jules Gosselet]] (1832–1916), born in Cambrai, French geologist
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Auguste Dorchain|fr}} (1857–1930), born in Cambrai, poet
*[[Marcel Lermoyez]] (1858–1929), otologist
*[[Georges Maroniez]] (1865–1933), painter and photographer, lived in Cambrai from 1897
*[[Louis Blériot]] (1872–1936), born in Cambrai, industrialist and aviator
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Pierre Leprince-Ringuet|fr}} (c. 1874–1954), architect of the reconstruction after World War II
*[[Henri de Lubac]] (1896–1991), born in Cambrai, Jesuit Catholic theologian and Bishop
*[[Julien Torma]] (1902–1933), writer, playwright and poet
*[[René Dumont]] (1904–2001), born in Cambrai, engineer in [[agricultural science|agronomy]], [[sociology|sociologist]], and founder of the [[political ecology]]
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Maurice Henry (poet)|fr|Maurice Henry (poète)|lt=Maurice Henry}} (1907–1984), born in Cambrai, poet, painter, draughtsman and French filmmaker
*[[Maurice Godelier]] (1934–), born in Cambrai, social [[anthropology|anthropologist]], [[Neo-Marxism|neo-Marxist]]
*[[Jean-Pierre Destrumelle]] (1941–2002), born in Cambrai, football player and coach
*[[Jean Gascou]] (1945), [[papyrology|papyrologist]]
*[[Marie-Georges Pascal]] (1946–1985), actress
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Jean-Sylvain Bieth|fr}} (1955–), born in Cambrai, visual artist
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Anne Caudry|fr}} (1957–1991), born in Cambrai, actress
*{{Interlanguage link multi|Sonia Dubois|fr}} (1963–), born in Cambrai, journalist and actress
*[[Loïc Attely]] (1977–), born in Cambrai, fencer ([[Foil (fencing)|foil]] fencer)
*[[Nicolas Mérindol]] (1961–), born in Cambrai, banker, former Chairman of the Crédit foncier of France and Chairman of the Milton group
*[[Jacques Édouard Quecq]] (1796-1874), painter

==See also==
* [[Cambric]]
* [[Great Fear]]
* [[Archdiocese of Cambrai]]
*[[Marcel Gaumont]]. Sculpture on Chamber of Commerce and Belfry

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note|2}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{cite book
|first1=Jean|last1=Dauvegis|title=La Vie des Cambrésiens|publisher=Les amis du Cambrésis|location=Cambrai|year=1991|id=327
}}
{{reflist|6|group=a}}

* {{cite book
| first1 = Louis| last1 = Trenard| first2 = Michel| last2 = Rouche
| title = Histoire de Cambrai| publisher = Presses Universitaires de Lille
| year = 1982| volume = 2| type = 24cm| isbn = 2-85939-201-7
}}
{{reflist|6|group=b}}

* {{cite book
|first1=Michel|last1=Dussart|title=Mémoire de Cambrai|publisher=Société d'Émulation de Cambrai|year=2004|isbn=2-85845-001-3
}}
{{reflist|6|group=c}}

* ''Revue du Nord'', Louis Trenard (dir.), Université de Lille III, Villeneuve d'Ascq, Vol. LVIII no.230, Numéro spécial "Cambrai et le Cambrésis", July–September 1976
{{reflist|6|group=d}}

==Bibliography==
[[File:Nuvola apps ksig horizonta.png|frameless|30px]] : Document used as a source for the drafting of this article.

* David Fallows, Barbara H. Haggh: "Cambrai", Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 18 December 2005), [http://www.grovemusic.com (subscription access)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516041031/http://www.grovemusic.com/ |date=16 May 2008 }} (source for the music history section)
* {{cite book| first1 = Eugène| last1 = Bouly| title = Histoire de Cambrai et du Cambrésis|language=fr|trans-title=History of Cambrai and of the Cambrésis| publisher = Hattu, Libraire-Éditeur|location=Cambrai |year = 1842|volume = 1 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1rg9AAAAcAAJ&q=histoire+de+cambrai}}
* {{cite book| first1 = Eugène| last1 = Bouly| title = Histoire de Cambrai et du Cambrésis|language=fr|trans-title=History of Cambrai and of the Cambrésis| publisher = Hattu, Libraire-Éditeur|location=Cambrai |year = 1842| volume = 2 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=v6rX14EtTBAC&q=histoire+de+cambrai}}
* {{cite book| first1 = Louis| last1 = Trenard| first2 = Charles| last2 = Pietri| title = Histoire des Pays-Bas Français |language=fr|trans-title=History of the French Netherlands| series = Histoire des Provinces| publisher = Édouard Privat| year = 1974}} [[File:Nuvola apps ksig horizonta.png|frameless|30px]]
* {{cite book|first1=Pierre|last1=Pierrard|title=La Vie quotidienne dans le Nord au XIX siecle, Artois, Flandre, Hainaut, Picardie|language=fr|trans-title=Daily life in Nord in the nineteenth century, Artois, Flanders, Hainaut, Picardie|publisher=Hachette|year=1976|isbn=2-01-002861-9}}
* {{cite book|first1=Pierre|last1=Pierrard|title=Histoire du Nord, Flandre, Artois, Hainaut, Picardie|language=fr|trans-title=History of the Nord, Flanders, Artois, Hainaut, Picardie|publisher=Hachette|date=1 November 1978|isbn=2-01-020306-2}}
* {{cite book| first1 = Louis| last1 = Trenard| first2 = Michel| last2 = Rouche| title = Histoire de Cambrai|language=fr|trans-title=History of Cambrai| publisher = Presses Universitaires de Lille| year = 1982| volume = 2| type = 24cm| isbn = 2-85939-201-7}} [[File:Nuvola apps ksig horizonta.png|frameless|30px]]
* {{cite book| first1 = Jean-Pierre| last1 = Wytteman| title = Le Nord, de la Préhistoire à nos jours|language=fr|trans-title=Nord, from prehistory to the present|  publisher = Bordessoules| year = 1988| isbn = 2-903504-28-8}}
* {{cite book|first1=Jean|last1=Dauvegis|title=La Vie des Cambrésiens|language=fr|trans-title=The Lives of Cambrésiens|publisher=Les amis du Cambrésis|location=Cambrai|year=1991}} [[File:Nuvola apps ksig horizonta.png|frameless|30px]]
* {{cite book|first1=Michel|last1=Dussart|title=Mémoire de Cambrai|language=fr|trans-title=Memory of Cambrai|publisher=Société d'Émulation de Cambrai|year=2004|isbn=2-85845-001-3}} [[File:Nuvola apps ksig horizonta.png|frameless|30px]]
* {{cite book|first1=Henri|last1=Montigny|title=Le château de Selles à Cambrai, Photographies et documentation|language=fr|trans-title=The Château de Selles in Cambrai, Photographs and Documentation|publisher=Centre culturel de Cambrai|year=1982|display-authors=etal}}
* {{cite book|first1=Jocelyne|last1=Deniere|first2=Lysiane|last2=Deniere|title=Les Beffrois de Belgique et de France, inscrits au Patrimone Mondial de l'Humanité de l'Unesco|language=fr|trans-title=The Belfries of Belgium and France, registered in the World Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO|publisher=Éditions J. et L. Deniere|year=2008|isbn=978-2-911327-26-1}}
* {{cite book|title=Revue du Nord|language=fr|trans-title=Review of Nord|first1=Louis|last1=Trenard|publisher=Université de Lille III|location=Villeneuve d'Ascq|volume=58|issue=230}} Special number "Cambrai et le Cambrésis", July–September 1976 [[File:Nuvola apps ksig horizonta.png|frameless|30px]]
*{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Cambrai |volume=5 |pages=85–86}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wikisource|Cambray Proclamation|Cambray Proclamation of Louis XVIII, 28 June 1815}}
* [http://www.villedecambrai.com/ Cambrai website] (French)

{{Nord communes}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}

[[Category:Cambrai| ]]
[[Category:Communes of Nord (French department)]]
[[Category:Subprefectures in France]]
[[Category:Free imperial cities]]