# Fresnes-lès-Montauban

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q469716](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q469716)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresnes-lès-Montauban)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fresnes-l-s-montauban

## Summary
Fresnes-lès-Montauban is a commune located in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. It is part of the canton of Vitry-en-Artois and falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Arras. The municipality has been recognized for its service during World War I, notably receiving the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 decoration.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Fresnes-lès-Montauban, Pas-de-Calais, France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.333055555556, Longitude 2.9311111111111
- **Population (recent)**: Ranging from 544 to 604 residents across multiple years
- **Administrative Region**:
  - Department: Pas-de-Calais
  - Canton: Vitry-en-Artois
  - Arrondissement: Arras
- **Country**: France
- **Recognition**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 award
- **Official Website**: [http://www.fresneslesmontauban.fr](http://www.fresneslesmontauban.fr)
- **Aliases**: Fresnes
- **Wikipedia Entry**: Fresnes-lès-Montauban
- **Classification**: Commune of France (commune of France refers to the territorial subdivision for municipalities in France)

## FAQs

**What is Fresnes-lès-Montauban?**  
Fresnes-lès-Montauban is a small rural commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. It is administratively part of the canton of Vitry-en-Artois and the arrondissement of Arras.

**Where is Fresnes-lès-Montauban located?**  
It is located in the Hauts-de-France region of France, specifically within the Pas-de-Calais department. Its geographical coordinates are approximately latitude 50.333 and longitude 2.931.

**What recognition has Fresnes-lès-Montauban received?**  
The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration given for acts of heroism during World War I.

**What is the population of Fresnes-lès-Montauban?**  
The population has ranged between 544 and 604 over recent years, with minor fluctuations indicating a small but stable community.

**Is Fresnes-lès-Montauban part of any larger administrative units?**  
Yes, it belongs to the canton of Vitry-en-Artois and the arrondissement of Arras, both located within the Pas-de-Calais department in France.

**Does Fresnes-lès-Montauban have an official website?**  
Yes, the commune's official website is [http://www.fresneslesmontauban.fr](http://www.fresneslesmontauban.fr).

## Why It Matters
Fresnes-lès-Montauban represents a local community that played a role in the broader historical narrative of France, particularly during World War I. Its receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 highlights its contributions and sacrifices during wartime. As a commune, it reflects the decentralized governance structure of France, where local communities maintain distinct identities while contributing to national cohesion. Its small size underscores the importance of grassroots recognition in French civic memory.

## Notable For
- Being a recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military honor
- Its location in the historically significant Pas-de-Calais department, which saw heavy fighting in both world wars
- Administrative inclusion in the canton of Vitry-en-Artois and arrondissement of Arras
- A modest but stable population indicating a quiet rural community life
- Maintaining an official web presence, reflecting modern engagement with civic transparency

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Context
Fresnes-lès-Montauban is a commune situated in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. This department, established on March 4, 1790, is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution. The commune lies within the canton of Vitry-en-Artois, a local electoral division, and is part of the arrondissement of Arras, an administrative district of the Pas-de-Calais.

Its geographic coordinates place it at latitude 50.333055555556 and longitude 2.9311111111111, placing it in the northern part of France near the historical battlegrounds of World War I. This positioning contributes to its historical significance, particularly in the context of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, which it received for its involvement in the war.

### Demographics and Community
The population of Fresnes-lès-Montauban has shown minor variation over recent years, ranging from 544 to 604 inhabitants. This indicates a small, relatively stable rural community. The commune’s size reflects the character of many French communes outside major urban centers, where local identity and history remain central to community life.

### Historical Recognition
Fresnes-lès-Montauban is notable for having been awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918. This French military decoration, first instituted on April 2, 1915, is awarded to those who distinguish themselves by heroic actions during wartime. The award underscores the commune's participation and resilience during World War I, linking it to the broader narrative of French military history.

### Governance and Structure
As a commune of France, Fresnes-lès-Montauban is part of the country’s decentralized administrative structure. Communes are the smallest administrative divisions in France, established since the French Revolution in 1789. Each commune is governed by a mayor and a municipal council, reflecting the principles of local governance embedded in the French Republic.

The commune is part of the canton of Vitry-en-Artois, which serves as an electoral constituency for departmental councillors. It also belongs to the arrondissement of Arras, which is an intermediate level of administration between departments and communes. These nested structures ensure representation at multiple levels of French governance.

### Online Presence and Civic Engagement
Fresnes-lès-Montauban maintains an official website at [http://www.fresneslesmontauban.fr](http://www.fresneslesmontauban.fr), which provides information about local services, events, and governance. This digital presence is indicative of the commune's efforts to engage with residents and maintain civic transparency in the modern era.

### Cultural and Regional Identity
The commune, like many in Pas-de-Calais, is part of a region with a rich cultural and historical heritage. The area was heavily impacted by both World Wars, and many localities, including Fresnes-lès-Montauban, carry this legacy in their collective memory and public honors. The use of aliases such as "Fresnes" reflects local naming conventions and historical usage.

### Broader Context
Fresnes-lès-Montauban is part of the French Republic, a semi-presidential state with significant global influence. France's complex administrative structure, including its departments, cantons, arrondissements, and communes, allows for localized governance within a unified national framework. This system ensures that even small communities like Fresnes-lès-Montauban play a role in the broader political and cultural fabric of the nation.

## 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. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)