Airaines (French pronunciation: [ɛʁɛn]; Picard: Araine) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.

Airaines
A rooftop view of Airaines, with the church of St-Denis
A rooftop view of Airaines, with the church of St-Denis
Coat of arms of Airaines
Location of Airaines
Map
Airaines is located in France
Airaines
Airaines
Airaines is located in Hauts-de-France
Airaines
Airaines
Coordinates: 49°57′57″N 1°56′39″E / 49.9658°N 1.9442°E / 49.9658; 1.9442
CountryFrance
RegionHauts-de-France
DepartmentSomme
ArrondissementAmiens
CantonAilly-sur-Somme
IntercommunalitySomme Sud-Ouest
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Albert Noblesse[1]
Area
1
24.88 km2 (9.61 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
2,279
 • Density92/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC 01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
80013 /80270
Elevation15–116 m (49–381 ft)
(avg. 49 m or 161 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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The commune is situated 30 km (19 mi) north west of Amiens, about 30 km (19 mi) south of Abbeville, at the junction of the D901 and D936 roads.

Hamlets and neighbourhoods

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Dourier before 1914
  • Dourier : Originally a hamlet to the northeast of the town, now a suburb.
  • Dreuil-Hamel : Stretching out to the west, sprinkled with orchards and meadows, this commune was once separate. By decree of 26 September 1972 it was joined with Airaines in a simple merger.[3]

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 2,239—    
1975 2,303 0.40%
1982 2,385 0.50%
1990 2,175−1.15%
1999 2,099−0.39%
2007 2,153 0.32%
2012 2,363 1.88%
2017 2,378 0.13%
Source: INSEE[4]

History

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  • In earlier times, the town flourished, due mainly to the importance of the castle of the dukes of Luynes.
  • During World War II, the town was subject to much destruction in June 1940. The Market hall was destroyed.
  • The years 1985-2000 saw the closure of several important economical activities, resulting in high unemployment

Places and monuments

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  • Saint-Denis church
  • The Priory (Notre Dame church)
  • Dreuil-Hamel church, abandoned and in danger of collapsing
  • The towers of the dukes of Luynes
  • The memorial to Charles N'Tchoréré
  • A monument aux morts with sculptural work by Albert Dominique Roze

People

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Charles N'Tchoréré (15 November 1896 - 1940) was a Gabonese military commander who was shot by the Germans in World War II during the battle for France.

Twin towns

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Modifications aux circonscriptions administratives territoriales (fusion de communes), Journal officiel de la République française n° 0002, 3 January 1973, pp. 141-142.
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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(All French language)