# Asfeld

> commune in Ardennes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q271919](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q271919)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asfeld)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asfeld

## Summary

Asfeld is a commune located in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 49.468888888889°N longitude 4.1183333333333°E, Asfeld belongs to the arrondissement of Rethel and was historically part of the former canton of Asfeld. The commune has been recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 military decoration for its role during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Ardennes department, Grand Est region, northeastern France
- **Coordinates**: 49.468888888889°N, 4.1183333333333°E
- **Administrative hierarchy**: Arrondissement of Rethel; former canton of Asfeld
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Ardennes (established March 4, 1790)
- **Commune status**: Established 1789 (commune of France territorial subdivision)
- **Historical name variants**: Écry-le-Franc, Escry-le-Franc
- **Military recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Population**: Approximately 800–1,130 residents across recorded years
- **Wikipedia presence**: 51 sitelinks; titled "Asfeld"

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Asfeld?**

Asfeld is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It is located in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, specifically within the arrondissement of Rethel.

**What is the historical significance of Asfeld?**

Asfeld was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing its suffering and damage during World War I. The commune has also been known by alternative names including Écry-le-Franc and Escry-le-Franc.

**What are Asfeld's geographical coordinates?**

Asfeld is situated at latitude 49.468888888889°N and longitude 4.1183333333333°E, placing it in the Ardennes department of northeastern France near the border with Belgium.

**How is Asfeld connected to French administrative divisions?**

Asfeld is part of the Ardennes department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. It falls within the arrondissement of Rethel and was historically part of the canton of Asfeld, which is now a former canton.

## Why It Matters

Asfeld represents the numerous small communes that form the administrative backbone of rural France. While modest in population, these communes hold historical significance through their participation in national events, particularly the World Wars that profoundly affected the Ardennes region—a strategic area that saw intense fighting during both conflicts. The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914-1918 to Asfeld acknowledges the commune's sacrifice and suffering during the First World War, when the Ardennes was a contested region between France and Germany. Today, Asfeld continues to serve as a local administrative center, representing the decentralized governmental structure that characterizes the French Republic. Its existence within the commune system demonstrates how France maintains governance at the local level through thousands of municipalities, each contributing to the nation's cultural and administrative fabric.

## Notable For

- Croix de guerre 1914-1918 military decoration for World War I service
- Historical names: Écry-le-Franc and Escry-le-Franc
- Location in the Ardennes, a department with significant military history
- Part of the former canton of Asfeld, reflecting historical administrative organization

## Body

### Geography and Location

Asfeld is a commune situated in the Ardennes department located in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. The commune's precise geographical coordinates are 49.468888888889°N latitude and 4.1183333333333°E longitude. This positioning places Asfeld in a region historically significant for its strategic location near the French border with Belgium and Luxembourg, an area that has seen numerous military conflicts throughout European history.

### Administrative Structure

Asfeld operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, creating the framework for local governance that persists today. Asfeld belongs to the arrondissement of Rethel, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the commune level. Historically, Asfeld was the seat of the canton of Asfeld, though this administrative unit has since been reorganized. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the Ardennes department, which was officially created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial division of France into departments during the Revolution.

### Historical Background

The commune has been known by several names throughout its history, including Écry-le-Franc and Escry-le-Franc. This variation in naming reflects the historical evolution of French place names and the changes in local administration over centuries. Asfeld's history is particularly marked by its experience during the First World War (1914-1918), when the Ardennes region became a major theater of conflict. The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914-1918, a prestigious French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize towns and villages that suffered damage during the war. This decoration acknowledges the sacrifices made by the community and the destruction it endured during the German invasion of France.

### Demographics and Population

Asfeld has maintained a relatively stable population throughout its recorded history, with figures ranging between approximately 800 and 1,130 residents across various census years. These population numbers are consistent with other small rural communes in the Ardennes department, where agriculture and small-scale local commerce traditionally form the economic foundation. The population fluctuations reflect broader demographic trends in rural France, including urbanization pressures and changes in agricultural employment that have affected many small communes in the region.

### Regional Context

The Ardennes department in which Asfeld is located is known for its forested hills, river valleys, and strategic importance throughout European military history. The department's proximity to Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany has made it a frequent corridor for military movements and a contested territory in numerous conflicts. The arrondissement of Rethel serves as an administrative center for the surrounding communes, providing services and governmental functions for the rural population of the region. Asfeld's position within this administrative structure demonstrates how French governance operates at multiple levels, from the national government down to the smallest commune, ensuring local representation and services for residents.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H1--0200)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. MusicBrainz
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=1481)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
27. museum-digital