Ablain-Saint-Nazaire

Ablain-Saint-Nazaire

Ruins of the church destroyed during World War I

Coat of arms
Ablain-Saint-Nazaire

Coordinates: 50°23′34″N 2°42′48″E / 50.3928°N 2.7133°ECoordinates: 50°23′34″N 2°42′48″E / 50.3928°N 2.7133°E
Country France
Region Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Department Pas-de-Calais
Arrondissement Arras
Canton Vimy
Intercommunality Lens-Liévin
Government
  Mayor (20082014) Dominique Robillart
Area1 9.85 km2 (3.80 sq mi)
Population (2009)2 1,828
  Density 190/km2 (480/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 62001 / 62153
Elevation 77–188 m (253–617 ft)
(avg. 95 m or 312 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Ablain-Saint-Nazaire is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.

Geography

A farming village located 8 miles (12 km) north of Arras, on the D57 road. It was rebuilt after being destroyed during World War I. The Saint-Nazaire stream, which passes through the commune, is a small tributary of the river Deûle.

Population

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19621,295    
19681,293−0.2%
19751,388+7.3%
19821,482+6.8%
19901,715+15.7%
19991,843+7.5%
20051,890+2.6%
20091,828−3.3%

History

At the start of World War I, the Battle of Lorette lasted for 12 months, from October 1914 to October 1915, resulting in high casualties on both sides: 100,000 killed and as many wounded. A French national cemetery was built on 13 hectares nearby and comprises 20,000 graves, laid out irrespective of rank or military training. General Barbot has a private soldier buried next to him, on his right. In eight ossuaries, around the base of the lantern tower, are the remains of 22,970 unidentified soldiers. A portion of the cemetery has been reserved for Muslim soldiers.

Sights

See also

References

    External links

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