# Beautor

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q843082](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q843082)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beautor)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/beautor

## Summary

Beautor is a commune located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It sits at coordinates 49.6508°N latitude and 3.3447°E longitude and is part of the arrondissement of Laon. The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its suffering during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Name**: Beautor
- **Type**: Commune (municipality) in France
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Aisne (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Hauts-de-France
- **Arrondissement**: Laon
- **Coordinates**: 49.650833333333°N, 3.3447222222222°E
- **Wikipedia Title**: Beautor
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aisne, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 50
- **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789)
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Population History**: Records show population figures of 2,692; 2,695; 2,728; 2,699; 2,707; 3,870; 3,595; 3,323; 3,114; 2,977; 2,719; 2,658; 2,714; 2,718; 2,672; 2,625; and 2,579 across various census years

## FAQs

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

Beautor is located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It is part of the arrondissement of Laon.

**What is the geographical position of Beautor?**

Beautor is situated at coordinates 49.650833333333°N latitude and 3.3447222222222°E longitude, placing it in the northern part of France near the Belgian border region.

**What awards or recognitions has Beautor received?**

Beautor was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing the commune's suffering and damage during World War I.

**What type of administrative division is Beautor?**

Beautor is classified as a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune as an administrative category was established in 1789.

**What is the population of Beautor?**

Historical census data shows varying population figures for Beautor, with records indicating numbers ranging from approximately 2,579 to 3,870 residents across different counting periods.

## Why It Matters

Beautor matters as a representative example of the many small communes that form the backbone of French rural administration. Its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies that the commune suffered significant damage and loss during World War I, a period when the Aisne department saw intense fighting during the German invasion of France and the subsequent Western Front battles. The commune's inclusion in the arrondissement of Laon connects it to one of the historic administrative centers of the region. As part of the Aisne department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, Beautor represents over two centuries of continuous municipal existence within the French administrative framework. The commune's population fluctuations reflect broader demographic trends affecting rural northern France, including urbanization pressures and regional economic changes.

## Notable For

- **War Commemoration**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for World War I destruction
- **Historical Department**: Part of Aisne department since its creation in 1790
- **Administrative Continuity**: Maintained commune status since the French Revolution era (1789)
- **Regional Location**: Situated in Hauts-de-France, one of France's major administrative regions

## Body

### Geography and Location

Beautor is a commune situated in the northern French department of Aisne, which is part of the Hauts-de-France region. The commune is positioned at coordinates 49.650833333333°N latitude and 3.3447222222222°E longitude. This location places Beautor in the Picardy area of northern France, relatively close to the Belgian border and within reasonable distance of major cities in the region. The commune falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Laon, which serves as one of the sub-prefectures of the Aisne department.

### Administrative History

The commune of Beautor operates as part of the French territorial structure known as the "commune de France," a category of territorial subdivision that was established in 1789 during the French Revolution. This system created the municipality as the fundamental administrative unit in France. Beautor is specifically located within the department of Aisne, which was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial departmental reorganization of France following the Revolution. The department was formed from territory that was previously part of the province of Picardy, and it has maintained its administrative boundaries largely unchanged since that time, though adjustments to arrondissement boundaries have occurred.

### Historical Recognition

Beautor was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military decoration established on April 2, 1915. This award recognizes municipalities that suffered damage during World War I, particularly those that experienced enemy occupation, bombardment, or destruction of property. The Aisne department was the site of some of the most intense fighting during the war, including the First Battle of the Marne, the Battle of the Somme (which affected nearby regions), and numerous smaller engagements. The award signifies that Beautor experienced significant hardship during this period, likely including occupation, destruction of infrastructure, or loss of life among its residents.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Beautor shows considerable variation across different census years, with recorded figures including 2,692; 2,695; 2,728; 2,699; 2,707; 3,870; 3,595; 3,323; 3,114; 2,977; 2,719; 2,658; 2,714; 2,718; 2,672; 2,625; and 2,579 residents. These figures indicate that the commune experienced population growth at some points, reaching a peak of approximately 3,870 inhabitants, followed by a decline to current levels around 2,500-2,700. This demographic pattern is consistent with broader trends affecting rural communes in northern France, where many smaller municipalities have experienced population decline due to urbanization and migration toward larger cities and economic centers.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune, Beautor is governed by the municipal council system typical of French local government. The commune represents the most local level of administrative organization in France, responsible for local services, urban planning, civil registration, and community facilities. Beautor is part of the canton system and is represented at the departmental level through the general council of Aisne. The arrondissement of Laon, to which Beautor belongs, serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department, coordinating sub-prefectural services and representing the state's authority at the local level.

### Regional Context

Beautor exists within the broader context of the Aisne department, which encompasses diverse terrain including the Champagne region to the east, forested areas, and agricultural lands. The department is characterized by its mix of small towns and rural communes, many of which, like Beautor, have historical roots dating back to the medieval period or earlier. The region's economy has historically been based on agriculture, textile manufacturing, and more recently, light industry and services. The department suffered extensive damage during both World Wars due to its position on the Western Front, and many communes bear the physical and demographic scars of these conflicts.

## References

1. [Sandre](http://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H---0100)
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [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)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)