# Hettange-Grande > commune in Moselle, France **Wikidata**: [Q22739](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22739) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hettange-Grande) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hettange-grande ## Summary Hettange-Grande is a commune located in the Moselle department in northeastern France, situated near the border with Luxembourg and Germany. The town serves as a historical settlement in the region of Lothringen (Lorraine) and is notable for its geological connection to the Hettangian stage—the earliest age of the Jurassic period. With a population of approximately 7,772 residents, Hettange-Grande features significant military heritage through its proximity to Maginot Line fortifications and maintains local infrastructure including a railway station. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Moselle department, Grand Est region, northeastern France - **Coordinates**: 49.405833333333°N, 6.1530555555556°E - **Bordering regions**: Near Luxembourg and Germany - **Administrative history**: Part of canton of Cattenom until March 2015; previously belonged to arrondissement of Thionville-Est (1901-2015); now in arrondissement of Thionville (since January 2015) - **Historical region**: Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine) during German administration (1871-1918) - **Department inception**: Moselle department established March 4, 1790 - **Geological significance**: Gives name to the Hettangian, the first stage of the Lower Jurassic series - **Population**: Approximately 7,772 residents (most recent figure) - **Infrastructure**: Hettange-Grande railway station serves the commune - **Military heritage**: Home to Ouvrage Immerhof, a Maginot Line fort - **Website**: http://www.ville-hettange-grande.com - **Classification**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision since 1789) - **Sitelink count**: 41 ## FAQs **What is Hettange-Grande known for geologically?** Hettange-Grande gives its name to the Hettangian, which is the first stage and age of the Lower Jurassic series (Early Jurassic epoch). This geological designation makes it significant in paleontological and stratigraphic contexts, as the Hettangian represents the earliest Jurassic age approximately 201 to 199 million years ago. **What is the administrative history of Hettange-Grande?** Hettange-Grande has undergone several administrative reorganizations. Until March 2015, it was part of the canton of Cattenom. From 1901 to 2015, it belonged to the arrondissement of Thionville-Est, which was then dissolved and reorganized into the larger arrondissement of Thionville effective January 1, 2015. The commune is situated in the Moselle department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. **What military heritage does Hettange-Grande possess?** The commune is home to Ouvrage Immerhof, a Maginot Line fortification. The Maginot Line was a major defensive fortification built by France in the 1930s along its eastern border. Additionally, during the period of German administration from 1871 to 1918 following the Franco-Prussian War, the area was part of Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire. **How does Hettange-Grande connect to France's transport infrastructure?** Hettange-Grande is served by the Hettange-Grande railway station, which provides rail connectivity to the commune and the surrounding region. This station links the town to the broader French railway network, facilitating travel to larger cities in the Grand Est region and beyond. **What is the demographic profile of Hettange-Grande?** The population of Hettange-Grande has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures including 7,568; 7,618; 7,802; 7,653; 7,689; 5,037; 5,621; 5,786; 5,734; 6,356; 7,331; 7,528; 7,779; 7,753; 7,765; 7,768; and 7,772 residents across various census periods. The most recent figure stands at approximately 7,772 inhabitants. ## Why It Matters Hettange-Grande holds significance on multiple fronts. Geologically, the commune's name is internationally recognized through the Hettangian stage, which serves as a fundamental chronological division in Earth's history used by paleontologists and geologists worldwide. This scientific legacy connects the small French commune to global academic research and geological mapping. Historically, Hettange-Grande occupies a strategically important position in northeastern France, near the borders with Luxembourg and Germany. This location has shaped its complex history, including periods of German administration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The presence of Ouvrage Immerhof, a Maginot Line fortification, demonstrates the commune's role in France's defensive history and the broader European geopolitical landscape of the interwar period. From an administrative perspective, Hettange-Grande exemplifies the territorial organization of French communes within the departmental system. Its reorganization from the canton of Cattenom and the arrondissement of Thionville-Est to its current administrative structures reflects the ongoing rationalization of French local government. The commune also matters as a residential community serving approximately 7,772 residents, providing local infrastructure including railway connectivity and serving as part of the broader metropolitan area connected to Thionville, a major city in the Moselle department. ## Notable For - **Geological namesake**: The Hettangian stage of the Jurassic period derives its name from Hettange-Grande, making it internationally significant in geological science - **Maginot Line heritage**: Home to Ouvrage Immerhof, a preserved fortification from France's major interwar defensive system - **Cross-border location**: Situated in northeastern France near Luxembourg and Germany, placing it in a strategically important European border region - **Administrative transitions**: Experienced multiple administrative reorganizations, including the 2015 dissolution of Thionville-Est arrondissement - **Historical territorial changes**: Part of German-administered Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) from 1871 to 1918 following the Franco-Prussian War ## Body ### Geography and Location Hettange-Grande is positioned in the northeastern French department of Moselle, within the Grand Est region. The commune's coordinates are 49.405833333333°N latitude and 6.1530555555556°E longitude. This placement places the town in close proximity to two international borders—Luxembourg to the north and Germany to the east—making it part of the French borderlands that have historically served as zones of cultural and political exchange as well as potential conflict. The terrain of the region reflects its position in the eastern part of the Paris Basin, characterized by gently rolling hills and forests. The Moselle department, in which Hettange-Grande is located, is known for its industrial heritage and its position as a crossroads between French and Germanic cultural spheres. ### Administrative Structure Hettange-Grande operates as a commune of France, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in the French administrative system. Communes function as both municipalities and the most fundamental units of local government, dating back to their establishment in 1789 during the French Revolution. The commune belongs to the Moselle department (inception: March 4, 1790), one of France's 101 departments. Administratively, Hettange-Grande is part of the arrondissement of Thionville, which was established on January 1, 2015, following the reorganization of French arrondissements. Prior to this change, from 1901 to 2015, the commune fell under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Thionville-Est. Until March 2015, Hettange-Grande was part of the canton of Cattenom. The cantonal system in France serves as a district for the election of representatives to the departmental council and represents intermediate administrative units between communes and arrondissements. ### Historical Context The history of Hettange-Grande is intimately tied to the broader history of the Lorraine region (Lothringen in German). Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the Alsace-Lorraine region, including the area around Hettange-Grande, was annexed by the German Empire. The territory was organized as Bezirk Lothringen (District of Lorraine), with an inception date of May 20, 1871. This German administration lasted until the end of World War I in 1918, when the territory was returned to France under the Treaty of Versailles. This period of German rule left lasting cultural and administrative influences on the region. The commune's history thus reflects the shifting borders and competing national identities that have characterized the European frontier zones. ### Military Heritage A significant aspect of Hettange-Grande's heritage is its connection to the Maginot Line. Ouvrage Immerhof is a Maginot Line fortification located within or near the commune. The Maginot Line was an extensive system of fortifications built along France's eastern border between 1929 and 1938, designed to prevent German invasion following World War I. The Maginot Line represented one of the most ambitious fortification projects of the interwar period, featuring underground tunnels, reinforced concrete bunkers, and artillery positions. While the line was ultimately circumvented by German forces in 1940 during World War II, the fortifications remain important historical monuments and testaments to early 20th-century military engineering. ### Geological Significance Hettange-Grande holds particular importance in the field of geology. The Hettangian stage, which represents the earliest age of the Jurassic period, is named after the commune. The Jurassic period spanned approximately 201 to 145 million years ago and is famous for the diversity of dinosaur species that roamed the Earth during this time. The Hettangian specifically covers the time period from approximately 201.3 to 199.3 million years ago, marking the beginning of the Jurassic and following the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event. Geological formations in and around Hettange-Grande have provided important evidence for understanding this pivotal period in Earth's history, making the commune significant to paleontologists and geologists worldwide. ### Infrastructure and Transportation Hettange-Grande is served by the Hettange-Grande railway station, which provides the commune with connections to the French national rail network. This infrastructure links the town to Thionville and other cities in the Grand Est region, facilitating commuting and regional travel. The commune maintains a local website at http://www.ville-hettange-grande.com, providing information about municipal services, local government, and community resources to residents and visitors. ### Demographics The population of Hettange-Grande has varied across different census periods. Historical population figures recorded for the commune include 7,568; 7,618; 7,802; 7,653; 7,689; 5,037; 5,621; 5,786; 5,734; 6,356; 7,331; 7,528; 7,779; 7,753; 7,765; 7,768; and 7,772 residents. The most recent recorded figure stands at approximately 7,772 inhabitants, indicating a stable population size for a rural commune in the Moselle department. ### Regional Context Hettange-Grande is part of the Moselle department, which is distinguished by its industrial heritage, particularly in steel production and coal mining. The department's strategic position along the Franco-German border has made it a zone of significant historical importance, with multiple conflicts leaving their mark on the region's development. The commune's proximity to Thionville, the prefecture of the arrondissement, provides residents with access to administrative services, healthcare facilities, and commercial centers. Thionville has historically served as an important fortified city and continues to function as a regional economic and cultural hub. The broader Grand Est region, of which Moselle is a part, encompasses the historical territories of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine. This region is known for its diverse cultural heritage, combining French and Germanic influences in its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. ## 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. MusicBrainz 9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 10. Populations légales 2016 11. Populations légales 2017 12. Populations légales 2018 13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 14. Populations légales 2019 15. Populations légales 2020 16. Populations légales 2021 17. Populations de référence 2022 18. Populations de référence 2023 19. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0 20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 22. GeoNames 23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 24. [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) 25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)