# Chavignon

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q687460](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q687460)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chavignon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chavignon

## Summary
Chavignon is a commune in the Aisne department of France, located in the northern part of the country. It falls within the administrative structures of the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne and the arrondissement of Soissons. This small municipality is notable for its historical significance, including its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its role during World War I.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities.
- **Location**: Situated in the Aisne department, within the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne and the arrondissement of Soissons, in France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.478888888889, Longitude 3.5211111111111.
- **Population**: Recorded at various points as 797, 815, 841, 818, 824, 584, 572, 629, 769, 793, 742, 760, 829, 835, 841, 852, and 859, reflecting fluctuations over time.
- **Historical Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915.
- **Related Landmark**: Near Fort de la Malmaison, a historical site in the Aisne department.
- **Sitelink Count**: 48 links on Wikidata, indicating its digital presence and relevance.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Chavignon, as documented in online encyclopedic resources.
- **Wikidata Description**: Officially described as a commune in Aisne, France.

## FAQs
**Where is Chavignon located within France?**  
Chavignon is positioned in the Aisne department in northern France. It belongs to the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne and is part of the arrondissement of Soissons, administrative divisions that organize local governance.

**What is the population trend of Chavignon?**  
The population of Chavignon has varied over time, with figures ranging from a low of 572 to a high of 859 across different recorded periods. This fluctuation indicates shifts in local demographics, possibly due to historical events or economic factors.

**What historical recognition has Chavignon received?**  
Chavignon was honored with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military award created in 1915. This recognition highlights the commune’s significant contributions or sacrifices during World War I, marking its place in national history.

**How does Chavignon fit into France’s administrative structure?**  
As a commune, Chavignon is a basic municipal unit within France’s territorial framework, established since the French Revolution in 1789. It operates under the governance of the Aisne department and is further organized within the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne and the arrondissement of Soissons.

## Why It Matters
Chavignon holds importance as a small yet historically significant commune in France, embodying the resilience and contributions of local communities during major national events like World War I. Its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores its role in the collective memory of France’s wartime sacrifices, offering a tangible link to the past for historians and residents alike. As part of the Aisne department, it contributes to the cultural and administrative fabric of northern France, reflecting the diversity of rural life within a larger national context. Understanding Chavignon provides insight into how smaller municipalities shape and are shaped by broader historical and political currents, making it a point of interest for those studying French local history or military heritage.

## Notable For
- **Military Honor**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, distinguishing it among French communes for its contributions during the First World War.
- **Historical Proximity**: Located near Fort de la Malmaison, a notable historical fortification in the Aisne department, linking it to regional military history.
- **Administrative Specificity**: Positioned within the unique administrative hierarchy of the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne and arrondissement of Soissons, showcasing France’s detailed territorial organization.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Chavignon is a commune located in the Aisne department in northern France, with precise coordinates at latitude 49.478888888889 and longitude 3.5211111111111. It falls within the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne and the arrondissement of Soissons, both of which are administrative subdivisions under the broader governance of the Aisne department. This positioning places Chavignon in a historically significant region of France, close to areas that played key roles during major conflicts. Its proximity to Fort de la Malmaison, another notable site in Aisne, further ties it to the military and strategic history of the area.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Chavignon has shown variability over time, with recorded figures including 797, 815, 841, 818, 824, 584, 572, 629, 769, 793, 742, 760, 829, 835, 841, 852, and 859. These numbers suggest a community that has experienced both growth and decline, likely influenced by historical events, economic conditions, or migration patterns. While specific dates for each population count are not provided, the range indicates a small but dynamic rural population typical of many French communes.

### Historical Significance
Chavignon holds a place in French history, particularly for its contributions during World War I, as evidenced by its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This military decoration, established on April 2, 1915, was awarded to recognize acts of bravery or significant contributions during the 1914–1918 conflict. The honor reflects the commune’s involvement in or impact from the war, likely due to its location in Aisne, a department heavily affected by battles such as those near Fort de la Malmaison. This recognition elevates Chavignon’s status among French municipalities, marking it as a site of national historical memory.

### Administrative Context
As a commune of France, Chavignon is part of the country’s foundational municipal structure, a system established in 1789 during the French Revolution. It operates within the Aisne department, which was created on March 4, 1790, as one of France’s original administrative divisions. The commune is further nested within the canton of Vailly-sur-Aisne, a smaller electoral district, and the arrondissement of Soissons, a larger administrative unit that organizes multiple communes under the department’s oversight. This multi-layered structure reflects France’s decentralized yet interconnected governance model, with Chavignon contributing to local representation and administration.

### Connection to Fort de la Malmaison
Chavignon is geographically and historically linked to Fort de la Malmaison, a fortification in the Aisne department. While specific details about the fort’s role or Chavignon’s direct involvement are not provided, the proximity suggests a shared historical context, particularly related to military activities in the region during World War I. The fort, like Chavignon, is part of the broader narrative of Aisne’s strategic importance, and its mention in connection with the commune reinforces the area’s significance in France’s wartime history.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Chavignon is documented with a notable digital footprint, as indicated by its sitelink count of 48 on Wikidata. This metric reflects the commune’s presence across various online platforms and databases, ensuring its visibility in digital research and encyclopedic resources. Its Wikipedia title, simply “Chavignon,” and its official Wikidata description as a “commune in Aisne, France,” further cement its identity in accessible knowledge bases, making it a reference point for those exploring French local geography or history.

### Broader National Context
Chavignon exists within the larger framework of France, a country with a rich history dating back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia, and the founding of the First French Empire in 1804. France, with its capital in Paris and a population of over 68 million as of 2025, is a semi-presidential republic with significant global influence. While Chavignon is a small part of this vast nation, its status as a commune ties it to France’s intricate administrative system, cultural heritage, and historical narrative, including the country’s role in international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union. This connection situates Chavignon within a nation that spans multiple continents through overseas territories and holds a pivotal role in global affairs.

## 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)