# Curchy

> commune in Somme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q61791](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61791)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curchy)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/curchy

## Summary

Curchy is a commune located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Situated at coordinates 49.776388888889°N 2.8591666666667°E, this small rural municipality falls under the administrative jurisdiction of both the arrondissement of Péronne and the arrondissement of Montdidier. The commune was recognized with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration for its suffering during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Curchy, Somme department, Hauts-de-France region, France
- **Coordinates**: 49.776388888889°N, 2.8591666666667°E
- **Administrative divisions**: Arrondissement of Péronne, Arrondissement of Montdidier
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative entity type**: Commune of France (inception: 1789)
- **Department**: Somme (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Military recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (inception: April 2, 1915)
- **Population**: 301 (2017), 293 (2018), 305 (2019), 298 (2020), 301 (2021), 303 (2022), 303 (2023), 305 (2024), 293 (2025), 281 (2026)
- **Wikipedia article**: Curchy
- **Sitelink count**: 40

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Curchy?**
Curchy is a commune, which is the smallest administrative territorial unit in France, analogous to a municipality or township. The commune of France as an administrative concept was established in 1789 during the French Revolution.

**Which department and region is Curchy located in?**
Curchy is located in the Somme department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. The Somme department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What arrondissements does Curchy belong to?**
Curchy falls under the jurisdiction of both the arrondissement of Péronne and the arrondissement of Montdidier, both administrative divisions within the Somme department.

**Did Curchy receive any military honors?**
Yes, Curchy was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize towns and villages that suffered significant damage during World War I.

**What is the population of Curchy?**
Curchy has a small population, with figures ranging from 281 to 305 residents across recent years. The population data shows: 301 (2017), 293 (2018), 305 (2019), 298 (2020), 301 (2021), 303 (2022), 303 (2023), 305 (2024), 293 (2025), and 281 (2026).

## Why It Matters

Curchy represents the quintessential rural French commune that embodies the historical and administrative fabric of northern France. Though small in population, its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its significance during one of the most devastating conflicts in human history. The Somme department was the site of the infamous Battle of the Somme in 1916, one of the largest and bloodiest battles of World War I, and many communes in this region received military honors for their suffering and resilience.

The commune's dual jurisdiction under both the arrondissement of Péronne and Montdidier reflects the complex administrative organization of French local government. As part of the Somme department, Curchy contributes to the broader historical and cultural identity of the Hauts-de-France region, which has played a pivotal role in French history from medieval times through both World Wars.

For researchers and those interested in French administrative geography, Curchy serves as an example of how small municipalities function within the French system of communes, departments, and arrondissements—a structure that has evolved since the Revolution of 1789.

## Notable For

- **World War I recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for damage sustained during the First World War
- **Historical department**: Located in Somme, a department with profound historical significance due to the Battle of the Somme (1916)
- **Dual arrondissement jurisdiction**: Administered by both Péronne and Montdidier arrondissements
- **Ancient administrative status**: Established as a commune in 1789, following the French Revolution

## Body

### Geography and Location

Curchy is situated in the Somme department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 49.776388888889°N latitude and 2.8591666666667°E longitude. This places it in the heart of the Picardy region, characterized by rolling plains and agricultural land.

The commune lies within the territory governed by two arrondissements: Péronne and Montdidier. This dual administrative arrangement is relatively uncommon and reflects the geographic and historical connections between these two sub-prefectures in the Somme department. The area is predominantly rural, with agriculture serving as the primary land use, consistent with the agricultural character of the Somme plain.

### Administrative History

Curchy exists as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial collectivity in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. This revolutionary reorganization created a uniform system of local administration that persists to this day.

The Somme department, within which Curchy is located, was created on March 4, 1790, 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 has played significant roles in both commerce and military history.

### Military History and Recognition

The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 is a French military decoration that was instituted on April 2, 1915, by Prime Minister René Viviani. This decoration was awarded to towns, villages, and other localities that had suffered damage during World War I, particularly those that were occupied by enemy forces or were the sites of significant military operations.

Curchy received this recognition due to its location in the Somme department, which was heavily contested during the First World War. The Battle of the Somme, which began on July 1, 1916, was one of the largest and deadliest battles in military history. The Somme region saw some of the most intense fighting of the war, resulting in massive destruction of infrastructure and civilian casualties. Numerous communes in the department were awarded the Croix de guerre in recognition of their suffering and the resilience of their populations during this conflict.

### Demographics and Population

Curchy maintains a small, relatively stable population. The recorded population figures show slight fluctuations over recent years: 301 residents in 2017, 293 in 2018, 305 in 2019, 298 in 2020, 301 in 2021, 303 in 2022, 303 in 2023, 305 in 2024, 293 in 2025, and 281 in 2026. These figures are typical for rural communes in the Somme department, where population decline has been observed in many smaller municipalities due to rural depopulation trends affecting much of rural France.

The population density remains low, consistent with the agricultural character of the region. The commune likely consists of a small village center with surrounding farmland, typical of the Picardy plain.

### Regional Context

Curchy is part of the Hauts-de-France region, the most populous northern region of France, created in 2016 from the merger of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy regions. The Somme department, with its prefecture in Amiens, is known for its rich agricultural output, particularly grain production, as well as its significant historical heritage related to World War I.

The arrondissements of Péronne and Montdidier, both of which have jurisdiction over Curchy, are sub-prefectures of the Somme department. Péronne is particularly notable for its historical fortress and its location near the Western Front during World War I. Montdidier, similarly, lies in an area that saw significant military activity during both World Wars.

### Cultural and Historical Significance

While Curchy itself is a small commune, it represents the broader historical narrative of northern France. The region's history is marked by its strategic importance, agricultural wealth, and the devastating impact of two world wars. The Somme department contains numerous war memorials, cemeteries, and historical sites commemorating the sacrifices of the First World War, including the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme and the Historial de la Grande Guerre museum in Péronne.

The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre connects it to this larger historical narrative, marking it as a place that contributed to and suffered during the Great War. This recognition serves as both a memorial to those who lived through the conflict and a testament to the resilience of rural communities in the face of devastation.

## 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. 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)