Arques-la-Bataille

Arques-la-Bataille
Commune

Château d'Arques-la-Bataille

Coat of arms
Arques-la-Bataille

Coordinates: 49°52′54″N 1°07′37″E / 49.8817°N 1.1269°E / 49.8817; 1.1269Coordinates: 49°52′54″N 1°07′37″E / 49.8817°N 1.1269°E / 49.8817; 1.1269
Country France
Region Normandy
Department Seine-Maritime
Arrondissement Dieppe
Canton Dieppe-2
Intercommunality CA Région Dieppoise
Government
 • Mayor (2008–2014) Guy Sénécal
Area1 14.69 km2 (5.67 sq mi)
Population (2006)2 2,541
 • Density 170/km2 (450/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
INSEE/Postal code 76026 /76880
Elevation 2–129 m (6.6–423.2 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.

Arques-la-Bataille is a commune in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region in north-western France.

Geography

Arques is situated near the confluence of the rivers Eaulne, Varenne and Béthune, with the forest of Arques to the north-east. It lies 4 miles (6 km) southeast of Dieppe at the junction of the D23, D154 and D56 roads.

Main sights

The centre houses a castle dominating the town, which was built in the 11th century by William of Talou; his nephew, William the Conqueror, regarding it as a menace to his own power, besieged and occupied it. After frequently changing hands, it came into the possession of the English, who were expelled in 1449 after an occupation of thirty years. In 1589, its cannon decided the battle of Arques in favor of Henry IV.

The ruined château dominating the town

Since 1869, the castle has been state property. The first line of fortification was the work of Francis I; the second line and the donjon date back to the 11th century.

The church of Arques, a building of the 16th century, preserves a stone rood screen, statuary, stained glass and other relics of the Renaissance period.

Just outside the town is the World War I Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery, designed by J R Truelove, the final resting place of 377 men of the South African Native Labour Corps.

Cultural references

See also

References

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