# Ransart

> commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1027158](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1027158)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ransart,_Pas-de-Calais)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ransart-q1027158-2

## Summary

Ransart is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France, situated at coordinates 50.209166666667°N 2.6858333333333°E. As a commune of France, it is part of the canton of Beaumetz-l'Loges and the arrondissement of Arras, and falls within the jurisdiction of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras urban community. The commune has received the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 military decoration, indicating its significance during World War I.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Ransart, Pas-de-Calais, France (coordinates: 50.209166666667°N, 2.6858333333333°E)
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the canton of Beaumetz-l'Loges
- **Arrondissement**: Arrondissement of Arras
- **Intercommunal Structure**: Member of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras (urban community, founded January 1, 2013)
- **Department**: Pas-de-Calais (established March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France
- **Commune Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision established in 1789)
- **Population**: Historical populations recorded include 414, 419, 420, 404, 396, 393, 395, 392, 400, and 407 inhabitants
- **Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (instituted April 2, 1915)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Ransart, Pas-de-Calais
- **Wikidata Sitelink Count**: 44

## FAQs

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

Ransart is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune system was established in 1789 following the French Revolution, serving as the fundamental unit of local government in the French administrative system.

**Which administrative regions and departments is Ransart part of?**

Ransart is located in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. It belongs to the arrondissement of Arras and the canton of Beaumetz-l'Loges. The commune is also part of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras, an urban community intercommunal structure established in 2013.

**What is Ransart's historical significance?**

Ransart was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing valour and service during World War I. This indicates that the commune suffered significant damage or loss during the conflict, or that its residents demonstrated notable bravery.

**What are Ransart's geographic coordinates?**

Ransart is situated at latitude 50.209166666667 and longitude 2.6858333333333, placing it in the northern part of France within the Pas-de-Calais department near the border with the Somme department.

## Why It Matters

Ransart matters as a representative example of the French commune system, which forms the backbone of local governance in France. With over 35,000 communes across the country, this administrative division represents the most intimate level of democratic representation and local service delivery. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its role in one of the most devastating conflicts in European history, when the Pas-de-Calais region saw intense fighting during World War I, particularly during battles around Arras and the Somme.

The commune's inclusion in the Communauté urbana d'Arras demonstrates its integration into regional cooperation structures that coordinate economic development, urban planning, and public services across multiple municipalities. This intercommunal organization, established in 2013, reflects contemporary trends in French local governance toward greater collaboration between neighboring communes.

Ransart's location in the Pas-de-Calais department places it in one of France's most historically significant regions, situated along key transportation routes between France and the Low Countries, and bearing witness to numerous pivotal moments in European history from the Middle Ages through both World Wars.

## Notable For

- **War Commemoration**: Holder of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, recognizing World War I service and sacrifice
- **Administrative Integration**: Part of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras, a structured urban community for regional cooperation
- **Historic Department**: Located in Pas-de-Calais, one of France's original departments established during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Regional Framework**: Situated within the canton of Beaumetz-l'Loges and the arrondissement of Arras, maintaining traditional French administrative divisions

## Body

### Geography and Location

Ransart is positioned at coordinates 50.209166666667°N latitude and 2.6858333333333°E longitude, placing it in the northern portion of the Pas-de-Calais department. The commune lies in the Hauts-de-France region, France's northernmost metropolitan region, characterized by relatively flat terrain historically known for agricultural production and strategic military importance due to its proximity to the English Channel and Belgian border.

### Administrative Structure

Ransart operates as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision system that originated in 1789 following the French Revolution. The commune represents the lowest level of administrative division in France, analogous to a municipality or township in other countries. Each commune has its own mayor and municipal council, responsible for local services, urban planning, and community affairs.

At the intermediate administrative level, Ransart is part of the canton of Beaumetz-l'Loges, which serves electoral purposes for the departmental council. At the higher intermediate level, the commune belongs to the arrondissement of Arras, an administrative division within the Pas-de-Calais department that coordinates state services and prefectural functions.

### Intercommunal Cooperation

Ransart is a member of the Communauté urbaine d'Arras, an urban community (communauté urbaine) established on January 1, 2013. This intercommunal structure brings together multiple municipalities in the Arras area to coordinate functions including economic development, transportation, environmental protection, and public infrastructure. The communauté urbaine represents a significant level of regional cooperation, pooling resources and expertise across municipal boundaries to address issues that transcend individual commune boundaries.

### Historical Significance

The commune's award of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 represents its historical significance during World War I. This military decoration, instituted on April 2, 1915, was awarded to communities that demonstrated exceptional bravery or suffered significant damage during the conflict. The Pas-de-Calais department was heavily affected by trench warfare during World War I, with the Battle of the Somme (1916) and the Battle of Arras (1917) occurring in proximity to Ransart. The region's strategic position along the Western Front made it a key theater of operations throughout the war.

### Departmental Context

Ransart is located in Pas-de-Calais, one of France's original 83 departments created on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution. The department takes its name from the Calais Strait (Pas de Calais) that separates France from England. Pas-de-Calais has historically served as a crossroads between France and northern Europe, experiencing numerous conflicts due to its strategic position, including the Hundred Years' War, the Wars of Religion, and both World Wars.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for Ransart are limited in the source material, historical population records indicate numbers ranging from 392 to 420 inhabitants across various census periods (414, 419, 420, 404, 396, 393, 395, 392, 400, 407). These figures are consistent with the commune's classification as a small rural municipality, typical of the many small communes that characterize the French administrative landscape. France has approximately 35,000 communes, the vast majority of which have populations under 1,000 inhabitants.

### Relationship to French Administrative Categories

Ransart exemplifies the French commune system, which distinguishes France from many other nations by maintaining an exceptionally granular level of local administration. The commune of France category, established in 1789, serves as the fundamental building block of French territorial organization. This system ensures local representation and allows for tailored local governance, though it also presents challenges in terms of efficiency and coordination at larger scales.

### Connection to Arras

The commune's relationship to Arras, the prefecture of the arrondissement, reflects the hierarchical nature of French administration. Arras serves as the administrative center for the region, providing governmental services, courts, and institutional facilities that serve the surrounding communes including Ransart. The city's historical significance as a former capital of the County of Artois and site of significant medieval and early modern events adds cultural context to Ransart's regional identity.

## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)