# Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q998058](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q998058)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/biefvillers-l-s-bapaume

## Summary

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department in the northern French region of Hauts-de-France. Situated at coordinates 50.115277777778°N 2.8236111111111°E, this small rural municipality falls under the arrondissement of Arras and is part of the commune of France territorial system established in 1789. The village is historically connected to the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, indicating it was affected by World War I military operations in the region.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume
- **Alias**: Biefvillers
- **Department**: Pas-de-Calais (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Arras
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Hauts-de-France
- **Coordinates**: 50.115277777778°N, 2.8236111111111°E
- **Population History**: 95, 91, 94, 94, 96, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93 (ten consecutive years)
- **Territorial System**: Commune of France (established 1789)
- **Historical Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume
- **Sitelink Count**: 46

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume?**

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume is a commune, which is the smallest territorial administrative division in France. Communes are similar to municipalities or townships in other countries and serve as the fundamental unit of local government in the French administrative system.

**Where is Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume located geographically?**

The commune is located in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France, within the Hauts-de-France region. It is situated at latitude 50.115277777778 and longitude 2.8236111111111, placing it in the southwestern part of the Pas-de-Calais department near the town of Bapaume.

**What is the historical significance of Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume?**

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This honor indicates that the commune suffered damage during World War I, particularly during the battles that took place in the Somme region and around Bapaume, which was the site of intense fighting between French and German forces.

**What is the administrative structure of Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume?**

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume belongs to the arrondissement of Arras, which is an administrative division within the Pas-de-Calais department. The commune operates under the broader French territorial system, which was formalized in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous feudal administrative divisions.

**What is the population of Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume?**

Based on the available data, Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume has a small population, with recorded figures of 95, 91, 94, 94, 96, 97, 96, 95, 94, and 93 over ten consecutive years. This indicates a relatively stable population size typical of rural communes in the Pas-de-Calais department.

## Why It Matters

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume represents a quintessential example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. While numerically small, these communes collectively define the social, cultural, and administrative landscape of France. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its place in the broader historical narrative of the First World War, during which the Pas-de-Calais region saw some of the most intense fighting on the Western Front. The village's proximity to Bapaume, a strategic location during both World Wars, underscores its significance in regional military history. Today, as part of the commune system established in 1789, Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume participates in the decentralized administration of France, contributing to the democratic governance structure that distinguishes the French Republic. The commune's inclusion in the arrondissement of Arras connects it to a broader network of local governance and public services, demonstrating how even small municipalities integrate into regional administrative frameworks that facilitate resource allocation, infrastructure development, and community services.

## Notable For

- **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for damage sustained during military operations
- **Historical Location**: Situated near Bapaume, a strategically important town that saw significant battles during both World Wars
- **Administrative Integration**: Part of the arrondissement of Arras, connecting it to regional governance structures
- **Territorial System**: Operates under the commune of France system established in 1789, representing the foundational level of French local government

## Body

### Geography and Location

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume is positioned at coordinates 50.115277777778°N latitude and 2.8236111111111°E longitude, placing it in the northern French department of Pas-de-Calais within the Hauts-de-France region. The commune is located in close proximity to the town of Bapaume, from which it derives its name ("lès" meaning "near" in French). The terrain of the region consists of gently rolling farmland typical of northern France, characterized by clay-rich soils that have historically supported agricultural activities. The area experiences a temperate maritime climate common to the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region, with moderate temperatures year-round and relatively consistent precipitation. The commune's location in the southwestern portion of Pas-de-Calais places it within reasonable distance of major regional cities including Arras, the prefecture of the department, and Lille, the regional capital.

### Administrative History

The commune system under which Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume operates was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous feudal system of provinces and parishes. This reorganization created the commune as the fundamental territorial unit of French administration, a structure that has remained largely consistent for over two centuries. Pas-de-Calais as a department was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial division of France into departments. Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume has been part of this department since its inception, making it part of one of the original French departments created following the Revolution. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Arras, an administrative division that organizes departmental territory into smaller units for administrative and judicial purposes.

### Historical Significance

The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 awarded to Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume represents the commune's significant involvement in and suffering during the First World War. The decoration, which was instituted on April 2, 1915, was France's primary military decoration for World War I and could be awarded to both individuals and municipalities. When awarded to a commune, it typically indicated that the locality had suffered damage from enemy action, particularly bombardment or combat. The Pas-de-Calais department was the site of intense military operations during the war, particularly during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the various battles fought around Arras and Bapaume. The commune's recognition with this award places it within a select group of French municipalities that were directly affected by the conflict, preserving its historical memory as part of the broader narrative of the Great War's impact on French civilian populations.

### Population and Demographics

Based on the available structured data, Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume maintains a small population consistent with its status as a rural commune. The recorded population figures over ten consecutive years show: 95, 91, 94, 94, 96, 97, 96, 95, 94, and 93 residents. These figures indicate population stability with minor fluctuations typical of small rural communities. The population density would be low, characteristic of agricultural communes in the region. The commune's small size reflects the pattern of rural depopulation that has affected many small French municipalities over the past century, as younger residents have migrated to larger urban centers for employment and educational opportunities. However, the relative stability of the population figures suggests that Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume has maintained a consistent community presence.

### Regional Context

Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume exists within a region of significant historical and economic importance in France. The Pas-de-Calais department is one of the most densely populated in France, despite its relatively small geographic size. The department has historically been important for agriculture, coal mining, and textile manufacturing, though these industries have undergone significant transformation since the mid-twentieth century. The arrondissement of Arras serves as an administrative center for the southwestern portion of the department, providing governmental services and coordinating regional development. The proximity to Bapaume, a town that historically served as a market center for the surrounding agricultural region, provides Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume with connections to commercial and administrative services. The region's position near the border with Belgium has also influenced its historical development, particularly in terms of trade, cultural exchange, and military strategy.

### Cultural and Communal Life

As a commune of France, Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume participates in the local governance system that characterizes French municipal administration. Each commune is governed by a mayor and municipal council, which are responsible for local services including urban planning, civil registration, local taxation, and maintenance of public spaces and infrastructure. The commune system embodies the French principle of decentralization, which distributes administrative authority across multiple levels of government while maintaining national coherence. The small population of Biefvillers-lès-Bapaume suggests a close-knit community where residents likely participate actively in local affairs. The commune's association with the Croix de guerre represents an important aspect of its collective memory, commemorating the sacrifices and resilience of its residents during the First World War.

## 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. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)