# Rilly-sur-Aisne > commune in Ardennes, France **Wikidata**: [Q477017](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q477017) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rilly-sur-Aisne) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rilly-sur-aisne ## Summary Rilly-sur-Aisne is a commune located in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. Situated along the Aisne river, which is a tributary of the Oise, this small French municipality falls within the arrondissement of Vouziers. The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its suffering during World War I, reflecting its historical significance during that conflict. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Rilly-sur-Aisne is situated in the Ardennes department of France, in the Grand Est region. - **Administrative Division**: The commune belongs to the arrondissement of Vouziers. - **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 49.4875° N, Longitude 4.6344444444444° E. - **Water Body**: The commune is located on the Aisne river, a tributary of the Oise river in northern France. - **Country**: France, a semi-presidential republic in Western Europe. - **Type of Entity**: Commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789. - **Historical Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, recognizing damage and suffering during World War I. - **Aliases**: Also known simply as Rilly. - **Wikipedia Title**: Rilly-sur-Aisne. - **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Ardennes, France. - **Sitelink Count**: 43. ## FAQs **What region and department is Rilly-sur-Aisne located in?** Rilly-sur-Aisne is located in the Ardennes department, which is part of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Vouziers. **What is the geographical significance of Rilly-sur-Aisne?** Rilly-sur-Aisne is situated along the Aisne river, which is a tributary of the Oise river. The Aisne flows through several communes in the region, including Vailly-sur-Aisne, Condé-sur-Aisne, and Missy-sur-Aisne, contributing to the local hydrological network. **What historical recognition has Rilly-sur-Aisne received?** Rilly-sur-Aisne was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a prestigious French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915. This award recognizes communes that suffered damage during World War I, indicating that Rilly-sur-Aisne experienced destruction or significant hardship during the conflict. **What type of administrative entity is Rilly-sur-Aisne?** Rilly-sur-Aisne is a commune of France, which is the smallest administrative division in the country for municipalities. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution. **What is the relationship between Rilly-sur-Aisne and the Aisne river?** Rilly-sur-Aisne is named for its location on the Aisne river. The Aisne is a significant river in northern France, flowing through the Aisne department and serving as a tributary to the Oise river. The river passes through multiple communes along its course, including Rilly-sur-Aisne. ## Why It Matters Rilly-sur-Aisne matters as a representative of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial organization. Its location along the Aisne river places it within a region of significant historical and geographical importance in northern France. The commune's receipt of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 demonstrates the impact of World War I on French rural communities, as the Ardennes region saw intense fighting during the conflict. As part of the Ardennes department and the arrondissement of Vouziers, Rilly-sur-Aisne contributes to the administrative structure that governs local services, planning, and community development in this portion of northeastern France. The commune's presence along the Aisne river also connects it to a network of communes that share hydrological and geographical ties, creating regional relationships that extend beyond administrative boundaries. The commune exemplifies the preservation of French local governance traditions that date back to 1789, maintaining its identity as a distinct municipality within the French territorial system while contributing to the broader social, economic, and cultural fabric of the Grand Est region. ## Notable For - **World War I Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for suffering and damage during the First World War. - **River Location**: Situated along the Aisne river, a tributary of the Oise, connecting it to the broader hydrological network of northern France. - **Administrative Placement**: Part of the Ardennes department and the arrondissement of Vouziers in the Grand Est region. - **Historical Naming**: The suffix "sur-Aisne" indicates its geographical relationship to the Aisne river, following the French naming convention for communes located on rivers. ## Body ### Geography and Location Rilly-sur-Aisne is a commune situated in the Ardennes department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. The commune is positioned at coordinates 49.4875° N latitude and 4.6344444444444° E longitude. The municipality is located along the Aisne river, which flows through the region as a tributary of the Oise river. This geographical positioning places Rilly-sur-Aisne within the network of communes that line the Aisne river, including Vailly-sur-Aisne, Condé-sur-Aisne, Brienne-sur-Aisne, and several others that share the "sur-Aisne" naming convention indicating their proximity to the river. ### Administrative Structure Rilly-sur-Aisne operates as a commune of France, which is the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities in the French administrative system. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous parochial divisions. Rilly-sur-Aisne falls within the arrondissement of Vouziers, which is one of the administrative divisions within the Ardennes department. The Ardennes department itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the initial creation of French departments following the Revolution. ### Historical Significance The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915. This award was given to communes that suffered damage during World War I, particularly those located in regions that experienced heavy fighting. The Ardennes region was the site of significant military activity during the conflict, and many communes in the area received this recognition for their endurance and destruction. The Croix de guerre serves as a historical marker of the commune's experience during one of the most devastating conflicts in European history. ### Relationship to the Aisne River Rilly-sur-Aisne is directly connected to the Aisne river, from which it derives its name. The Aisne is a significant waterway in northern France, flowing through the Aisne department and serving as a major tributary of the Oise river. The river passes through numerous communes along its course, creating a geographical corridor that has influenced settlement patterns and local identity. Communes along the Aisne include Vailly-sur-Aisne, Condé-sur-Aisne, Brienne-sur-Aisne, Celles-sur-Aisne, Nanteuil-sur-Aisne, Berneuil-sur-Aisne, Savigny-sur-Aisne, Villeneuve-sur-Aisne, Missy-sur-Aisne, Billy-sur-Aisne, Terron-sur-Aisne, and Vic-sur-Aisne. This network of communes shares a common geographical relationship to the river, which has shaped local agriculture, transportation, and community identity. ### Regional Context As part of the Ardennes department, Rilly-sur-Aisne contributes to the cultural and administrative identity of this northeastern French region. The Ardennes is known for its forested landscapes, rolling hills, and historical significance. The department is bordered by Belgium and Luxembourg, placing it in a region of strategic importance within Europe. The arrondissement of Vouziers, to which Rilly-sur-Aisne belongs, encompasses several communes in the southern portion of the Ardennes department, organizing local governance and administrative functions for the surrounding communities. ### Connection to French Administrative System Rilly-sur-Aisne exemplifies the structure of French local government, where communes serve as the smallest administrative units while being organized into larger departments and regions. The commune system, established in 1789, created a uniform administrative structure across France that continues to this day. Each commune has its own local government, though larger administrative divisions provide regional coordination and services. This system allows for localized governance while maintaining national administrative coherence. ## References 1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H1--0200) 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 12. Populations légales 2019 13. Populations légales 2020 14. Populations légales 2021 15. Populations de référence 2022 16. Populations de référence 2023 17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 19. GeoNames 20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 21. [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) 22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)