# Cerisy

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q669761](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q669761)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerisy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cerisy

## Summary

Cerisy is a commune located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The small rural municipality sits at coordinates 49.9064° N, 2.6386° E and has been part of the French administrative system since the department's founding in 1790. During World War I, the village was recognized for its resilience with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Cerisy (also known as Cerisy-sur-Somme or Cerisy-Gailly)
- **Location**: Somme department, Hauts-de-France region, France
- **Coordinates**: 49.906388888889° N, 2.6386111111111° E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision since 1789)
- **Department Inception**: March 4, 1790 (Somme department)
- **Historical Canton**: Bray-sur-Somme (until March 2015)
- **Arrondissements**: Part of both arrondissement of Amiens and arrondissement of Péronne
- **Population**: Approximately 509–545 residents (varying across recorded years)
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (awarded April 2, 1915)
- **Country**: France
- **Wikipedia Title**: Cerisy

## FAQs

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

Cerisy is situated in the Somme department within the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The commune falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Somme department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What administrative divisions does Cerisy belong to?**

Cerisy is part of both the arrondissement of Amiens and the arrondissement of Péronne. Prior to March 2015, the commune was part of the canton of Bray-sur-Somme. As a commune, it represents the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France, a system that originated in 1789.

**What recognition did Cerisy receive for its role in World War I?**

Cerisy was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize military valor and service during World War I. This decoration indicates that the commune suffered significant damage or played a notable role during the conflict, as the award was given to French municipalities that demonstrated bravery or sustained destruction during the war.

**What is the population of Cerisy?**

The population of Cerisy has been recorded at various figures ranging from approximately 509 to 545 residents across different census years, reflecting the modest size of this rural commune in northern France.

## Why It Matters

Cerisy represents the many small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. While modest in size, such communes are essential to understanding France's decentralized governmental structure and the country's commitment to maintaining local administrative units that preserve community identity and local governance.

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. The Somme department was the site of some of the fiercest fighting during World War I, particularly the Battle of the Somme (1916), one of the largest and bloodiest battles in military history. Municipalities like Cerisy that received this distinction were recognized for their sacrifice and resilience during this period.

Geographically, Cerisy's position in the Somme department places it within a region that has been strategically important throughout French history. The department's name derives from the Somme River, which has served as both a natural boundary and a theater of conflict across centuries.

## Notable For

- **WWI Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its role during World War I
- **Historical Canton**: Formerly part of the canton of Bray-sur-Somme until 2015 administrative reorganization
- **Dual Arrondissement Membership**: Serviced by both the arrondissement of Amiens and Péronne
- **Historical Depth**: Part of a department established during the French Revolution (1790)
- **Alternative Names**: Known as Cerisy-sur-Somme and Cerisy-Gailly, reflecting its geographic and historical identity

## Body

### Geography and Location

Cerisy is a commune positioned at coordinates 49.906388888889° north latitude and 2.6386111111111° east longitude, placing it in the northern French department of Somme within the Hauts-de-France region. The commune's location in the Somme department situates it in an area historically significant for agriculture and, particularly during World War I, for military operations.

### Administrative History

As a French commune, Cerisy operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in France, a system that was formalized in 1789 during the French Revolution. The commune belongs to the Somme department, which was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial division of France into departments.

Prior to the French administrative reorganization of March 2015, Cerisy was part of the canton of Bray-sur-Somme. Following this reorganization, the commune's administrative associations shifted while remaining within the same department. The commune is additionally affiliated with two arrondissements—Amiens and Péronne—reflecting the multi-layered administrative structure typical of French local government.

### Historical Significance

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Cerisy represents the commune's most notable historical distinction. This military decoration, established on April 2, 1915, was granted to French municipalities that demonstrated exceptional bravery or suffered significant damage during World War I. The Somme department was the site of intense fighting throughout the war, most famously during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, which resulted in unprecedented casualties and shaped the region's historical memory.

### Demographics and Community

Cerisy exemplifies the small rural communes characteristic of the Somme department, with population figures recorded between 509 and 545 residents across various census periods. Such communes typically maintain agricultural character while serving as residential communities for residents working in nearby towns and cities.

### Cultural Identity

The commune is known by multiple names—Cerisy, Cerisy-sur-Somme, and Cerisy-Gailly—reflecting its local identity and historical evolution. The use of "sur-Somme" (on the Somme) in its name indicates both its geographic location within the department and its connection to the broader Somme territory. The alternative name Cerisy-Gailly may reflect historical local variations or former administrative configurations.

## 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 2019
11. Populations légales 2020
12. Populations légales 2021
13. Populations de référence 2022
14. Populations de référence 2023
15. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
16. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
17. GeoNames
18. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
19. [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)
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)