Düren (German pronunciation: [ˈdyːʁən])[2] is a Kreis (district) in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Neighboring districts are Heinsberg, Neuss, Rhein-Erft-Kreis, Euskirchen and Aachen.

Geographically it covers both the lowlands of the Lower Rhine Bay as well as the mountains and hills of the Eifel.

The district has rich lignite (brown coal) deposits, which is used in open pit mining.

Another big industry is paper production, which dates back to the second part of the 16th century.