# Ambrief

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q840135](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q840135)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrief)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ambrief

## Summary

Ambrief is a commune located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 49.318888888889° N latitude and 3.4013888888889° E longitude, this small rural municipality falls under the arrondissement of Soissons and was historically part of the canton of Oulchy-le-Château until March 2015. The commune has a website at mairiedambrief.free.fr and maintains a presence in both French and broader European administrative structures.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Northern France, Aisne department, Hauts-de-France region
- **Coordinates**: 49.318888888889° N, 3.4013888888889° E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune in the arrondissement of Soissons
- **Former Canton**: Oulchy-le-Château (until March 2015)
- **Department Inception**: March 4, 1790 (Aisne department established during the French Revolution)
- **Commune Status**: Established 1789 (communes of France as territorial subdivisions)
- **Country**: France
- **Website**: mairiedambrief.free.fr
- **Population History**: 68, 70, 72, 70, 119, 108, 87, 91, 84, 65, 63, 71, 73, 78, 81, 79 (various census years)
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aisne, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 49 (Wikipedia connections)
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (awarded to the commune)

## FAQs

**What region and department is Ambrief located in?**

Ambrief is situated in the Aisne department, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Soissons and was historically part of the canton of Oulchy-le-Château until administrative reorganizations in March 2015.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Ambrief?**

Ambrief is located at latitude 49.318888888889° N and longitude 3.4013888888889° E, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the Belgian border region.

**What is the historical background of Ambrief's administrative status?**

The commune of Ambrief, like all communes of France, was established in 1789 during the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of French territorial subdivisions. The Aisne department itself was created on March 4, 1790. The commune was historically part of the canton of Oulchy-le-Château until canton reorganizations in March 2015.

**Has Ambrief received any military recognition?**

Yes, Ambrief was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing valor or meritorious service during World War I. This indicates the commune was affected by or contributed to the war effort during that period.

**What is the population of Ambrief?**

Historical population data shows fluctuations: the recorded figures include 68, 70, 72, 70, 119, 108, 87, 91, 84, 65, 63, 71, 73, 78, 81, and 79 residents across various census periods, indicating a small rural commune with variable population trends typical of many French rural municipalities.

## Why It Matters

Ambrief represents a quintessential example of French rural communal life in the historic region of Picardy, now part of Hauts-de-France. While small in population, the commune holds significance within the French administrative system as one of the approximately 34,970 communes that form the fundamental territorial, administrative, and democratic units of France. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 places it within the historical narrative of World War I, a conflict that profoundly shaped the Aisne department, particularly through the Battle of the Chemin des Dames and extensive trench warfare that devastated the region.

The administrative reorganization that removed Ambrief from the canton of Oulchy-le-Château in March 2015 reflects broader trends in French governmental efficiency and intercommunal cooperation. Such communes matter as repositories of local heritage, agricultural tradition, and community identity in a region that has historically served as a strategic corridor between Paris and the Franco-Belgian border. The commune's website presence demonstrates continued local governance and community engagement in the digital age.

## Notable For

- **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for actions during the Great War
- **Historic Administrative Status**: Part of the canton of Oulchy-le-Château until 2015 French administrative reforms
- **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Aisne, one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Rural French Identity**: Represents the small agricultural commune structure fundamental to French territorial organization

## Body

### Geography and Location

Ambrief is geographically positioned at 49.318888888889° north latitude and 3.4013888888889° east longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of the Aisne department. The commune lies within the historical region of Picardy, now part of the larger Hauts-de-France administrative region that encompasses the northernmost portions of France. The terrain of this area consists largely of agricultural plains and gentle rolling hills, typical of the Somme river valley region that saw extensive combat during both World Wars.

### Administrative History

The commune of Ambrief operates within the contemporary structure of French territorial administration, established fundamentally during the French Revolution. The commune system, instituted in 1789, created the commune as the lowest level of administrative division in France, serving as both a territorial unit and a unit of local government. The Aisne department, within which Ambrief is located, was officially created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary reorganization that replaced the old provinces with a more rational administrative structure based on geometric boundaries.

Historically, Ambrief was part of the canton of Oulchy-le-Château, an administrative grouping that facilitated local governance and representation. However, following French administrative reforms implemented in March 2015, particularly those related to the composition of cantons, the commune's administrative affiliation was adjusted. The arrondissement of Soissons remains the current administrative division overseeing the commune.

### Historical Context and Military Significance

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Ambrief represents the commune's involvement in and recognition for actions during World War I. This military decoration, established by decree on April 2, 1915, was France's primary military award for valor or meritorious service during the war. The Aisne department was heavily affected by hostilities, particularly during the Race to the Sea in 1914 and subsequent years of trench warfare along the Western Front.

The Chemin des Dames, a strategic ridge in the region, became the site of some of the war's most brutal fighting, including the Second Battle of the Aisne in 1917. Numerous communes in the department received the Croix de guerre in recognition of damage sustained, civilian casualties, or contributions to the war effort. The presence of this award in Ambrief's historical record places the commune within this significant chapter of French and world history.

### Population and Demographics

The population figures recorded for Ambrief—68, 70, 72, 70, 119, 108, 87, 91, 84, 65, 63, 71, 73, 78, 81, and 79—reflect the demographic patterns typical of rural French communes in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. These numbers, spanning various census periods, demonstrate the fluctuations common to small agricultural municipalities, influenced by factors including rural depopulation trends, economic conditions, and broader social changes affecting northern French rural areas.

The population levels, consistently remaining under 120 residents throughout the recorded period, classify Ambrief as a very small rural commune. Such communes often face challenges related to maintaining local services, school facilities, and infrastructure, while simultaneously preserving community identity and agricultural traditions.

### Local Governance and Services

As a commune of France, Ambrief operates under a mayor-council system of local government. The commune maintains an official website at mairiedambrief.free.fr, providing digital access to local information, services, and municipal communications. This online presence reflects the adaptation of French local governance to contemporary digital communication methods while maintaining the traditional structure of commune administration.

The municipal government handles local affairs including urban planning, civil registration, local taxation, and the maintenance of communal infrastructure. In smaller communes like Ambrief, the mayor and council often serve on a part-time basis while maintaining other professional activities, a characteristic feature of French local governance at the municipal level.

### Regional Context

Ambrief's location within the Aisne department places it in a region of significant historical, agricultural, and strategic importance. The department takes its name from the Aisne River, which flows through the territory and served as a natural barrier and military objective during various conflicts. The arrondissement of Soissons, of which Ambrief is part, encompasses numerous communes ranging from small rural settlements to the city of Soissons itself, which holds substantial historical significance dating back to Roman times.

The former canton membership of Oulchy-le-Château connected Ambrief to a network of surrounding communes for administrative and representational purposes until the 2015 reforms. This intercommunal relationship facilitated cooperation on matters requiring coordination between neighboring municipalities, such as school services, road maintenance, and emergency response.

### Cultural and Community Life

The commune of Ambrief, despite its small size, participates in the broader cultural fabric of French rural life. The Croix de guerre decoration represents not merely military recognition but also serves as a symbol of community resilience and historical significance. Local traditions, agricultural practices, and community events form the social foundation of the commune, contributing to the preservation of rural French heritage in the face of ongoing urbanization trends affecting many similar small municipalities.

The commune's website provides a window into local governance and community information, serving as a modern tool for municipal communication while maintaining connection to the historical identity of the settlement. This digital presence exemplifies how small French communes adapt to contemporary communication methods while preserving their traditional character and administrative functions within the French state.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. répertoire géographique des communes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Annuaire de service-public.fr
6. Populations légales 2018
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
10. Populations légales 2019
11. Populations légales 2020
12. Populations légales 2021
13. Populations de référence 2022
14. Populations de référence 2023
15. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
16. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
17. GeoNames
18. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
19. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)