# Arvillers > commune in Somme, France **Wikidata**: [Q30885](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30885) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvillers) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arvillers ## Summary Arvillers is a commune located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France, situated in the arrondissement of Montdidier. As a commune of France, it represents one of the smallest administrative divisions in the French territorial system, serving as a local governance unit with its own municipal administration. The commune was recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 for its suffering and resistance during World War I, indicating it was significantly impacted by combat operations during that conflict. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Arvillers is situated in the Somme department (inception: March 4, 1790), in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France - **Administrative Division**: Belongs to the arrondissement of Montdidier - **Country**: France - **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.745°, Longitude 2.6469444444444° - **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision, inception: 1789) - **Website**: http://www.arvillers.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: Arvillers - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Somme, France - **Sitelink Count**: 43 - **Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915) - **Population**: Recorded figures include 784, 793, 794, 778, 770, 775, 773, 769, 764, and 759 (various census years) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Arvillers?** Arvillers is a commune, which is the smallest administrative territorial division in France. Communes are analogous to municipalities or townships in other countries and serve as the fundamental unit of local governance in the French administrative system. Each commune has its own municipal council and mayor who handle local affairs, and the commune system has been in place since 1789. **What region and department is Arvillers located in?** Arvillers is located in the Somme department, which is situated in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The Somme department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution and is named after the Somme River that flows through it. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Montdidier, one of the administrative subdivisions within the department. **What historical recognition has Arvillers received?** Arvillers was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918, a prestigious French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This award was given to communes, military units, and individuals who distinguished themselves during World War I. The award specifically indicates that Arvillers suffered significant damage or demonstrated notable resistance during the German occupation or fighting in the region during the Great War. **What is the geographical position of Arvillers?** Arvillers is positioned at coordinates 49.745° latitude and 2.6469444444444° longitude, placing it in the northern part of France within the Somme department. The commune lies in an area that was heavily contested during both World Wars due to its strategic position between Paris and the Belgian border. **How can one find more information about Arvillers?** The official municipal website for Arvillers is accessible at http://www.arvillers.fr, providing local government information, community updates, and administrative services for residents and visitors. The commune also has a presence on Wikipedia and Wikidata, with a sitelink count of 43 indicating moderate visibility in the Wikimedia ecosystem. ## Why It Matters Arvillers matters as a representative example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French local administration. While modest in size, these communes collectively constitute the fundamental territorial organization of France, with each one maintaining its own identity, local government, and community services. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 signifies its historical significance during one of the most devastating conflicts in European history, marking it as a place that endured suffering and contributed to the national effort during World War I. The commune's location in the Somme department places it in a region of profound historical importance, particularly for World War I heritage. The Somme battlefield was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in military history, the Battle of the Somme (1916), and numerous communes in the area bear the physical and commemorative marks of that conflict. Arvillers' recognition with military honors places it within this significant historical narrative. From an administrative perspective, Arvillers exemplifies the French commune system that has remained largely unchanged since its establishment during the Revolution of 1789. This system provides direct local governance to French citizens, with mayors and municipal councils handling day-to-day affairs, local taxes, public services, and community development. Understanding communes like Arvillers is essential to comprehending how France's decentralized administrative structure functions at the grassroots level. ## Notable For - **Croix de guerre 1914-1918**: Awarded for World War I military significance, recognizing the commune's suffering and resistance during German occupation and combat operations in the Somme region - **Historical Department Location**: Situated in Somme, one of the French departments most intimately associated with World War I history and the site of the infamous Battle of the Somme - **Commune System Heritage**: Part of the French commune administrative system dating back to 1789, representing over two centuries of continuous local governance - **Arrondissement Membership**: Belongs to the arrondissement of Montdidier, maintaining its place within the intermediate level of French administrative division between departments and communes ## Body ### Geography and Location Arvillers is geographically positioned at coordinates 49.745° north latitude and 2.6469444444444° east longitude, placing it in the northern portion of France within the Somme department. The commune lies in a region characterized by agricultural plains and small settlements, typical of the Picardy area that comprises much of the Somme department. This positioning near the town of Montdidier places Arvillers within reasonable distance of major cities in the region while maintaining its rural character. The Somme department, in which Arvillers is located, was officially created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of French territorial administration. The department takes its name from the Somme River, which flows through the region and has played a significant role in both the geography and history of the area. The department is part of the larger Hauts-de-France region, which encompasses the northernmost portions of metropolitan France. ### Administrative Structure Arvillers functions as a commune, which is the lowest and most fundamental level of administrative division in France. The French commune system was established in 1789, replacing the previous feudal divisions and creating a uniform system of local governance that continues to this day. Each commune, regardless of size, operates as an autonomous administrative unit with its own municipal government, budget, and responsibilities. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Montdidier, which serves as an intermediate administrative division within the Somme department. Arrondissements were established as subdivisions of departments to facilitate administrative coordination and local governance across multiple communes. Montdidier serves as the administrative center for this arrondissement, and Arvillers maintains its institutional connections through this structure. The municipal government of Arvillers, like all French communes, is headed by a mayor who is supported by a municipal council. These local officials handle matters ranging from local taxation and public utilities to urban planning, civil registration, and community events. The website http://www.arvillers.fr serves as the digital presence for the municipal administration, providing information to residents and the public about local services, news, and administrative procedures. ### Historical Significance The most notable aspect of Arvillers' history is its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914-1918. This French military decoration was instituted on April 2, 1915, during World War I, and was awarded to recognize military merit, acts of gallantry, or distinguished service during the war. When awarded to a commune, it specifically recognized that the locality had suffered significant damage from enemy action or had demonstrated exceptional resistance during occupation or combat. The Somme department was the site of some of the most intense fighting during World War I, most famously the Battle of the Somme that began on July 1, 1916. This battle resulted in over one million casualties and became synonymous with the horrors of trench warfare. Numerous communes throughout the department were devastated during this conflict, with many being occupied by German forces and subjected to bombardment, destruction, and occupation. The award of the Croix de guerre to Arvillers places it within this significant historical context, marking it as a commune that contributed to and suffered during the Great War. This recognition serves as both a memorial to those affected and a testament to the resilience of communities in the region. The decoration remains a point of local pride and historical significance for the commune. ### Demographics and Community While specific population figures vary across different census years, the recorded populations for Arvillers include 784, 793, 794, 778, 770, 775, 773, 769, 764, and 759 residents at various points. These figures indicate a small but stable rural community, typical of many communes in the agricultural regions of northern France. The population fluctuations reflect broader demographic trends affecting rural areas, including urbanization pressures and changes in agricultural employment. The commune, like others in the Somme department, maintains a traditional French rural character with agricultural land surrounding the main settlement. The community would have access to basic municipal services, schools, and religious institutions typical of French rural communes. The relatively small population allows for close-knit community relationships and local governance that directly involves residents in municipal affairs. ### Cultural and Institutional Connections Arvillers exists within a network of French institutional structures that connect it to broader regional and national entities. As a commune of France, it is part of the national territorial system governed by French law and administration. The commune maintains relationships with departmental and regional authorities, participating in the democratic structures that govern France at various levels. The presence of the commune on Wikipedia and Wikidata, with a sitelink count of 43, indicates its recognition within the broader digital knowledge ecosystem. This online presence allows those researching the commune or the region to access information about Arvillers, its history, and its characteristics. The Wikidata entry specifically describes Arvillers as a "commune in Somme, France," establishing its categorical identity within structured data systems. The commune's connection to the arrondissement of Montdidier provides an intermediate administrative relationship that connects local governance to broader departmental structures. This hierarchical organization allows for coordination of services, infrastructure, and administration across multiple communes while maintaining local autonomy for individual municipalities. ### Regional Context The Somme department in which Arvillers is located holds particular significance in French history, particularly regarding World War I. The department was the site of major battles that shaped the outcome of the war and the subsequent history of Europe. The landscape still bears marks of this conflict, with numerous memorials, cemeteries, and preserved battlefields throughout the region. The arrondissement of Montdidier, to which Arvillers belongs, represents a specific administrative area within this historically significant department. The town of Montdidier itself served as an administrative and market center for the surrounding communes, and Arvillers maintains this connection to a regional center that provides services, commerce, and administrative functions beyond what a small commune can offer independently. The broader Hauts-de-France region encompasses the northernmost portions of France and includes multiple departments with similar historical and agricultural characteristics. This regional identity provides additional context for understanding Arvillers within the larger framework of French regional administration and cultural identity. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 3. INSEE code 4. répertoire géographique des communes 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. Annuaire de service-public.fr 7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 8. Populations légales 2016 9. Populations légales 2017 10. Populations légales 2018 11. Populations légales 2019 12. Populations légales 2020 13. Populations légales 2021 14. Populations de référence 2022 15. Populations de référence 2023 16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 18. GeoNames 19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 20. [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) 21. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php) 22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)