Airaines () is a

commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

in the

Somme __NOTOC__ Somme or The Somme may refer to: Places *Somme (department), a department of France *Somme, Queensland, Australia *Canal de la Somme, a canal in France *Somme (river), a river in France Arts, entertainment, and media * ''Somme'' (book), a ...

department in

Hauts-de-France Hauts-de-France (; pcd, Heuts-d'Franche; , also ''Upper France'') is the northernmost region of France, created by the territorial reform of French regions in 2014, from a merger of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. Its prefecture is Lille. The ...

in northern

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

Geography

The commune is situated north west of Amiens, about south of Abbeville, at the junction of the D901 and D936 roads.

Hamlets and neighbourhoods

* 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.

Population

History

* In earlier times, the town flourished, due mainly to the importance of the castle of the dukes of Luynes. * During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, 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 Image:Airaines Tours de Luynes avant 1914.jpg, The towers before 1914 Image:Airaines tours de Luynes 1.jpg, Luynes towers in 2007 Image:Airaines Notre-Dame avant 1914.jpg, Notre-Dame church before 1914 Image:Airaines Halle.jpg, Market hall before 1914

Places and monuments

* 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 Image:Airaines église St-Denis (clocher face Sud) 1.jpg, St-Denis church tower Image:Airaines panorama (avec tours de Luynes) 1.jpg, Luynes towers Image:Airaines prieuré (vu depuis butte de Luynes).jpg, The Priory

People

Charles N'Tchoréré (15 November 1896 - 1940) was a

Gabon Gabon (; ; snq, Ngabu), officially the Gabonese Republic (french: République gabonaise), is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. Located on the equator, it is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the nort ...

ese military commander who was shot by the Germans in World War II during the battle for France.

Twin towns

Kriftel Kriftel is a municipality in the Main-Taunus district, in Hesse, Germany. It is situated 16 km west of Frankfurt (centre). It has about 11,000 inhabitants. Kriftel is also commonly known as "Fruit Orchard of the Anterior Taunus" (''Obstga ...

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...

References

External links

(All French language)
The Priory website

Official municipal website
Communes of Somme (department) Picardy {{Amiens-geo-stub