# Combles

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q58861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58861)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/combles

## Summary

Combles is a commune located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France, situated in the arrondissement of Péronne. As a French commune, it serves as a territorial subdivision within the French Republic, a unitary semi-presidential republic and founding member of the European Union. The commune was historically part of the canton of Combles until administrative reorganizations in March 2015.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Commune in Somme department, Hauts-de-France region, northern France
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Péronne
- **Former Canton**: Canton of Combles (until March 2015)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.009444444444, Longitude 2.8655555555556
- **Population**: 802, 799, 797, 765, 756, 738, 739, 745, 751, 757 (recorded across various years)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Combles
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Somme, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 43
- **Commune of France Inception**: +1789-00-00T00:00:00Z (territorial subdivision for municipalities)
- **Department Creation**: Somme department established March 4, 1790
- **Military Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration established April 2, 1915)

## FAQs

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

Combles is located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Péronne and was historically part of the canton of Combles until March 2015.

**What type of administrative area is Combles?**

Combles is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 as part of France's administrative reorganization.

**What is the historical significance of Combles related to military honors?**

Combles was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration established on April 2, 1915, recognizing valor and service during World War I. This indicates the commune was significantly affected by or contributed to the war effort during that period.

**What is the geographic position of Combles?**

Combles is situated at coordinates 50.009444444444 latitude and 2.8655555555556 longitude, placing it in the northern part of France within the Somme department, near the border with the Somme river region that was heavily contested during World War I.

**What is the relationship between Combles and the French administrative system?**

As a French commune, Combles operates as a unit of local government within the French Republic, which is a unitary semi-presidential republic. France is a founding member of the European Union (since March 25, 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The commune system in France traces its origins to 1789.

## Why It Matters

Combles represents a small but historically significant commune in the Somme department, a region that played a crucial role in French history, particularly during World War I. The Somme department was the site of the Battle of the Somme, one of the deadliest battles in human history, and the awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Combles indicates its direct involvement and suffering during this conflict.

The commune's existence within the French administrative system reflects the decentralized yet unitary structure of France, where communes serve as the foundational level of local governance while remaining part of a cohesive national framework. The historical canton of Combles, which existed until 2015, represents the administrative reorganizations that France has undergone to optimize local governance.

For those studying French geography, administrative divisions, or military history, Combles serves as an example of how small communes contribute to the broader historical and administrative tapestry of France. Its connection to the Croix de guerre specifically marks it as a community that experienced the impacts of major European conflicts.

## Notable For

- **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for military valor and suffering during the Great War
- **Historical Administrative Status**: Served as the seat of the canton of Combles until March 2015
- **Strategic Location**: Situated in the Somme department, a region that was the site of major World War I battles
- **Part of French Communal System**: Represents the fundamental unit of local government in France, a system established in 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Combles is a commune situated in the Somme department, which is located in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Péronne, one of the administrative divisions within the department. The geographic coordinates of Combles are 50.009444444444 latitude and 2.8655555555556 longitude, positioning it in the northern portion of France, not far from the historical Western Front of World War I.

The Somme department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, as part of the initial division of France into departments. The department takes its name from the Somme River, which flows through the region and was the site of one of the most significant battles of World War I, the Battle of the Somme, which began on July 1, 1916.

### Administrative History

Combles operates as a commune, which is the French term for a municipality and the smallest administrative division in France. The commune system was established in 1789, following the French Revolution, when the new government reorganized the country's territorial divisions to replace the previous feudal system.

Historically, Combles served as the seat of the canton of Combles, an administrative unit that grouped several communes together for electoral and administrative purposes. However, in March 2015, the cantonal organization was reformed, and the canton of Combles was dissolved as part of these administrative changes. This reform affected many small cantons throughout France, consolidating administrative structures to improve efficiency.

Combles remains part of the arrondissement of Péronne, which is a higher-level administrative division within the Somme department. France's administrative structure is organized hierarchically: region (Hauts-de-France), department (Somme), arrondissement (Péronne), and commune (Combles).

### Historical Significance and Military Recognition

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Combles represents the commune's significant involvement in World War I. This military decoration was established by France on April 2, 1915, to recognize acts of valor, service, and suffering during the First World War. The Croix de guerre could be awarded to individuals, military units, or civilian entities such as communes that demonstrated exceptional bravery or were significantly affected by the conflict.

The Somme department was heavily contested during World War I, particularly along the Western Front. The Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July 1 to November 18, 1916, was one of the largest and deadliest battles in military history, resulting in approximately one million casualties. Communes in this region, including Combles, were directly impacted by the fighting, destruction, and occupation that characterized this period.

### Population and Demographics

The population of Combles has been recorded at various figures across different years: 802, 799, 797, 765, 756, 738, 739, 745, 751, and 757. These figures reflect the fluctuations in population that many rural French communes experience, influenced by factors such as birth rates, migration, and economic conditions. The relatively small population places Combles among the smaller communes in France, a country where communes can range from tiny rural villages to large cities like Paris with millions of inhabitants.

### Relationship to National and International Structures

As a commune in France, Combles exists within a broader national and international framework. France itself is a founding member of the European Union, having joined on March 25, 1957, and is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with veto power. The country operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic, with executive power shared between the President and Prime Minister, while maintaining a bicameral parliamentary system.

France's administrative organization as a unitary state means that while communes like Combles have local governance responsibilities, they operate within a framework set by national legislation. This contrasts with federal systems where subnational entities have constitutionally guaranteed powers. The commune of France represents a unique administrative concept that has been exported to some degree through French influence, particularly in former French colonies and territories.

### Connection to Broader French Geography

Combles is located in a region of France that has significant historical, agricultural, and cultural importance. The Hauts-de-France region, created in 2016 from the merger of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy, is France's most populous northern region and home to major cities including Lille, Amiens, and Calais. The Somme department, where Combles is located, is known for its agricultural land, historical sites related to World War I, and natural features including the Baie de Somme.

The department's capital, Amiens, is one of the largest cities in northern France and has been an important administrative, commercial, and cultural center for centuries. The region's proximity to the English Channel and Belgium has made it strategically important throughout European history, explaining the heavy fighting that occurred there during both World Wars.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
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)
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File