Balham is a Communes of France, commune in the Ardennes (department), Ardennes Departments of France, department in the Grand Est region of northern France. The commune has been awarded one flower by the ''National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom'' in the ''Competition of cities and villages in Bloom''.

Geography

Balham is located some 12 km west by south-west of Rethel and 3 km north-east of Asfeld. Access to the commune is by the D926 road from Gomont in the north-east which passes through the village and continues south-west to Asfeld. The commune is mixed forest and farmland.Google Maps
/ref> The Aisne (river), Aisne river passes through the centre of the commune flowing from north-east to south-west on its way to join the Oise (river), Oise at Compiègne. The parallel Canal des Ardennes passes through the southern tip of the commune.

Neighbouring communes and villages

Toponymy

The name ''Balham'' comes from the name of a person ''Ballo'' + ''Heim''. It was ''Balaan'' around 1172 and ''Balehan'' in 1211–1212.

Heraldry

Administration

List of Successive Mayor (France), Mayors

Demography

The inhabitants of the commune are known as ''Balhamais'' or ''Balhamaises'' in French.

Sites and monuments

*The Cemetery (15th century) is registered as an historical monument. *The Church of Saint John the Baptist contains several items that are registered as historical objects: **A Stained glass window (1536) **A Statue: Saint Barbe (15th century) **A Statue: Saint Catherine (15th century)Ministry of Culture, Palissy

Notable people linked to the commune

*Edmond Louis Alexis Dubois-Crancé (1747-1814), Revolutionary politician, member of the Committee of Public Order, General of the Republic, Commissioner of the Army and Minister of War (September–November 1799), became Mayor of Balham after 1800.

References

External links

Balham on Géoportail
Institut géographique national, National Geographic Institute (IGN) website
''Balham'' on the 1750 Cassini Map
{{authority control Communes of Ardennes (department)