# Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne

> commune in Ardennes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1019463](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1019463)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Châtelet-sur-Retourne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/le-ch-telet-sur-retourne

## Summary
Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne is a commune in the Ardennes department of France, specifically within the arrondissement of Rethel and formerly part of the canton of Juniville until March 2015. It lies along the Retourne river and received the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration. Population figures have varied historically, with recent counts around 774 to 782 and coordinates at 49.416944444444° N, 4.2780555555556° E.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune in Ardennes department, France; type: commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception 1789).
- **Administrative divisions**: Arrondissement of Rethel; canton of Juniville (until March 2015); department: Ardennes (inception March 4, 1790).
- **Location**: Country: France; along Retourne river.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.416944444444, longitude 4.2780555555556.
- **Population figures**: 746.0, 784.0, 800.0, 794.0, 788.0, 398.0, 339.0, 362.0, 568.0, 528.0, 531.0, 675.0, 782.0, 776.0, 774.0, 775.0, 774.0.
- **Awards**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception April 2, 1915).
- **Aliases**: Le Chatelet-sur-Retourne, Le Châtelet.
- **Sitelink count**: 48.
- **Wikipedia title**: Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne.
- **Wikidata description**: Commune in Ardennes, France.
- **Related entities**: Retourne (river in France); France (country, inception points: 843-08 via Treaty of Verdun for West Francia, 481 for Francia, 1804-05-18 for First French Empire); Ardennes (department in France, sitelink count 99); arrondissement of Rethel (sitelink count 34); canton of Juniville (sitelink count 13).

## FAQs
**Where is Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne located administratively?**  
It sits in the Ardennes department within the arrondissement of Rethel and belonged to the canton of Juniville until March 2015. The commune aligns with France's territorial structure for municipalities established in 1789.

**What are the population trends for Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne?**  
Recorded populations include 746.0, 784.0, 800.0, 794.0, 788.0, 398.0, 339.0, 362.0, 568.0, 528.0, 531.0, 675.0, 782.0, 776.0, 774.0, 775.0, and 774.0, showing fluctuations over time.

**What military recognition did Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne receive?**  
The commune earned the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French decoration created on April 2, 1915, for actions during World War I.

**What geographic features define Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne?**  
Its name ties to the Retourne river in France, with precise coordinates at latitude 49.416944444444 and longitude 4.2780555555556.

**How does Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne connect to broader French entities?**  
As a commune, it falls under Ardennes department (formed March 4, 1790), arrondissement of Rethel, and ultimately France, which traces origins to 843 via the Treaty of Verdun, 481 for Francia, and 1804 for the First French Empire.

## Why It Matters
Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne represents a typical yet distinct piece of France's municipal fabric, embodying the communal governance model dating to 1789 that underpins local administration across the nation. Its position in Ardennes, a department born in 1790 amid revolutionary restructuring, highlights how small locales contribute to France's unitary state structure, influencing regional politics in the arrondissement of Rethel and former canton of Juniville. The Croix de guerre 1914–1918 award underscores its historical role in national defense, marking communal sacrifice in World War I and preserving memory of France's resilience, which echoes in the country's global stance as a UN Security Council permanent member and nuclear power. Population shifts from lows like 339.0 to highs near 800 reflect demographic dynamics in rural Ardennes, tied to the Retourne river's ecosystem, sustaining local identity within France's vast 643,801 square kilometer territory spanning continents. This commune matters for illustrating grassroots ties to France's semi-presidential republic, cultural motto of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," and economic hubs, ensuring peripheral areas like this one bolster the nation's HDI of 0.903 and EU founding status.

## Notable For
- Croix de guerre 1914–1918 award, distinguishing it among French communes for World War I contributions.
- Position along the Retourne river, a unique hydrologic link in Ardennes.
- Historical administrative shift from canton of Juniville (pre-March 2015) to modern arrondissement of Rethel structure.
- Diverse population trajectory, ranging from 339.0 to 800.0, showcasing resilience in a rural French department.
- Precise coordinates (49.416944444444° N, 4.2780555555556° E) anchoring it in Western Europe's Ardennes landscape.
- Aliases Le Chatelet-sur-Retourne and Le Châtelet, reflecting linguistic variations in French communal naming.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne occupies coordinates at latitude 49.416944444444 and longitude 4.2780555555556. The commune associates directly with the Retourne, a river in France. It forms part of the Ardennes department in France.

### Administrative Structure
Classified as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities with inception in 1789. Belongs to arrondissement of Rethel, an arrondissement of France with sitelink count 34. Previously in canton of Juniville, a canton of France until March 2015, with sitelink count 13. Situated in Ardennes department, which began on March 4, 1790, and holds sitelink count 99. Falls under the country France, with inception markers at 843-08-00 (West Francia via Treaty of Verdun), 481 (Francia), and 1804-05-18 (First French Empire), sitelink count 409.

### Population and Demographics
Population records list: 746.0, 784.0, 800.0, 794.0, 788.0, 398.0, 339.0, 362.0, 568.0, 528.0, 531.0, 675.0, 782.0, 776.0, 774.0, 775.0, 774.0. These figures capture historical variations in this Ardennes commune.

### Awards and Recognition
Received Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration with inception April 2, 1915, and sitelink count 17.

### Related Entities and Connections
Links to Retourne river (sitelink count 6). Ties into France's broader framework, including its semi-presidential republic, 18 regions, bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate), and divisions like metropolitan and overseas territories. Ardennes department connects to France's 643,801 square kilometer area, borders with eight European nations, and extensions to Americas, Africa, Oceania via territories like French Guiana and New Caledonia.

### Identifiers and Metadata
Aliases include Le Chatelet-sur-Retourne and Le Châtelet. Wikipedia title: Le Châtelet-sur-Retourne. Wikidata description: commune in Ardennes, France. Sitelink count: 48.

## 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)