# Bois-lès-Pargny

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q851431](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q851431)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bois-lès-Pargny)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bois-l-s-pargny

## Summary

Bois-lès-Pargny is a commune located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 49.731388888889°N, 3.6505555555556°E, the small rural municipality has a historical connection to the canton of Crécy-sur-Serre and falls under the arrondissement of Laon. The commune is notable for housing the verziau of Gargantua, a standing stone that serves as a local historical landmark, and was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its suffering during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Bois-lès-Pargny, Aisne department, Hauts-de-France region, France
- **Coordinates**: 49.731388888889°N latitude, 3.6505555555556°E longitude
- **Administrative status**: Commune in the Aisne department of France
- **Former canton**: Crécy-sur-Serre (until March 2015)
- **Arrondissement**: Laon
- **Country**: France
- **Population figures recorded**: 193, 200, 206, 201, 199, 256, 222, 219, 194, 172, 163, 188, 197, 194, 191, 188, 187 (various years)
- **Notable landmark**: Verziau of Gargantua (standing stone)
- **War recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (awarded April 2, 1915)
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Aisne, France
- **Wikipedia title**: Bois-lès-Pargny
- **Sitelink count**: 47
- **Alias**: Bois

## FAQs

**What region and department is Bois-lès-Pargny located in?**

Bois-lès-Pargny is situated in the Aisne department, which is located in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The commune falls under the arrondissement of Laon.

**What is the administrative history of Bois-lès-Pargny?**

Historically, Bois-lès-Pargny was part of the canton of Crécy-sur-Serre until March 2015, when French administrative boundaries were reorganized. The commune operates as a subdivision of the Aisne department and falls under the jurisdiction of the Laon arrondissement.

**What notable landmarks exist in Bois-lès-Pargny?**

The commune contains the verziau of Gargantua, a standing stone located within the territory of Bois-lès-Pargny. This megalithic structure represents the commune's historical and archaeological heritage.

**Was Bois-lès-Pargny involved in World War I?**

Yes, Bois-lès-Pargny was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing damage suffered and bravery displayed during World War I. Many communes in the Aisne department experienced significant destruction during the conflict due to its proximity to the Western Front.

**What type of administrative entity is Bois-lès-Pargny?**

Bois-lès-Pargny is classified as a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in France in 1789.

## Why It Matters

Bois-lès-Pargny represents the rich tapestry of rural French communal life in the northern regions that bore significant witness to some of the most tumultuous periods in European history. As a commune in the Aisne department—a region that found itself at the heart of World War I's Western Front—Bois-lès-Pargny's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 acknowledges the sacrifice and suffering endured by its residents during one of the most devastating conflicts in human history.

The presence of the verziau of Gargantua standing stone connects the commune to France's ancient megalithic heritage, demonstrating that the territory has been inhabited and significant to human societies for thousands of years beyond its more recent historical records. This archaeological feature contributes to the cultural identity of the region and provides a tangible link to prehistoric times.

From an administrative perspective, Bois-lès-Pargny exemplifies the structure of French local government, operating as a commune within the departmental system that organizes civic life in France. The commune's location within the Laon arrondissement places it within an area that maintains its own administrative character while remaining connected to the broader regional structure of Hauts-de-France.

The population data recorded for Bois-lès-Pargny reflects the demographic patterns common to rural French communes in the twenty-first century, showing fluctuations that mirror broader trends of urbanization and rural depopulation affecting many small municipalities across France. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the challenges and opportunities facing rural communities in contemporary France.

## Notable For

- **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for contributions and suffering during the Great War
- **Megalithic Heritage**: Home to the verziau of Gargantua, a standing stone that serves as evidence of prehistoric human activity in the area
- **Historical Administrative Status**: Formerly part of the canton of Crécy-sur-Serre until the 2015 French administrative reorganization
- **Departmental Identity**: Located in Aisne, a department with significant historical importance in French history, particularly during both World Wars

## Body

### Geography and Location

Bois-lès-Pargny is positioned at coordinates 49.731388888889 degrees north latitude and 3.6505555555556 degrees east longitude, placing it in the northern French department of Aisne within the Hauts-de-France region. The commune's geographical location places it within the traditional agricultural heartland of northern France, an area characterized by rolling farmland and small rural communities.

The commune sits within the arrondissement of Laon, which serves as the administrative center for this portion of the Aisne department. The territory of Bois-lès-Pargny encompasses the land necessary to support its residential population and agricultural activities, typical of the commune structure in rural France.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Bois-lès-Pargny operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in France, serving as the fundamental unit for local governance. The commune system in France traces its origins to the revolutionary period of 1789, when the old administrative divisions were reorganized into municipalities.

Prior to March 2015, Bois-lès-Pargny was part of the canton of Crécy-sur-Serre, an administrative grouping that brought together several communes for electoral and administrative purposes. Following the 2015 cantonal reorganization in France, the commune's administrative associations changed to reflect new territorial configurations.

Bois-lès-Pargny belongs to the Aisne department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. The department was formed from the historical province of Picardy and has maintained its administrative identity through various political changes in France over more than two centuries.

### Historical Significance

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Bois-lès-Pargny represents the commune's direct connection to the First World War, a conflict that profoundly affected the Aisne department. The German invasion of France in 1914 brought the Western Front through this region, and the battles fought in the area, including those at the Chemin des Dames and around Reims, left lasting scars on the landscape and communities.

The Croix de guerre was instituted on April 2, 1915, as a collective award recognizing municipalities that had suffered significant damage or demonstrated exceptional bravery during the war. The decoration acknowledges both the physical destruction endured and the contributions of civilian populations to the war effort.

### Archaeological Heritage

The verziau of Gargantua stands as a megalithic monument within the commune of Bois-lès-Pargny, representing the ancient human presence in this region. Standing stones, or menhirs, are distributed throughout Brittany, Normandy, and northern France, with the Aisne department containing several such monuments.

These megalithic structures date from the Neolithic period, roughly between 4500 and 2000 BCE, and their exact purpose remains a subject of archaeological study. The presence of such a monument in Bois-lès-Pargny indicates that the area was inhabited during prehistoric times and held significance for ancient communities.

### Demographics and Population

The population figures recorded for Bois-lès-Pargny—193, 200, 206, 201, 199, 256, 222, 219, 194, 172, 163, 188, 197, 194, 191, 188, 187—reflect the demographic fluctuations experienced by the commune over time. These numbers represent annual population counts that show variations typical of small rural French communes.

The population trajectory demonstrates the challenges facing many rural municipalities in contemporary France, where younger generations often relocate to larger urban centers for education and employment opportunities. The commune maintains its identity as a residential community while experiencing the broader demographic shifts affecting rural Europe.

### Cultural Identity

The commune is known by its full name, Bois-lès-Pargny, with "Bois" serving as a common alias or shortened form used by residents and those familiar with the area. The name likely derives from the French words for "wood" (bois), indicating the presence of forested areas in the region's history, while "Pargny" suggests additional historical roots to the settlement's naming.

As part of the French commune system, Bois-lès-Pargny participates in the broader cultural and administrative framework of the nation. The commune maintains connections to departmental and regional institutions while preserving its individual identity as a distinct territorial unit.

## 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. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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)