# Saint-Germainmont

> commune in Ardennes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q421692](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q421692)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Germainmont)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-germainmont

## Summary

Saint-Germainmont is a commune located in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. As part of the arrondissement of Rethel and historically the canton of Asfeld, this small municipality represents one of the thousands of communes that form the basic territorial units of French local administration, a system established during the French Revolution in 1789.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Ardennes department, Grand Est region, northeastern France
- **Arrondissement**: Rethel
- **Historical Canton**: Asfeld (former canton)
- **Administrative Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision established in 1789)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 49.507777777778, Longitude 4.1313888888889
- **Country**: France
- **War Recognition**: Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (awarded April 2, 1915)
- **Population Range**: 775 to 868 (historical data points)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Germainmont
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ardennes, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 43

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Saint-Germainmont?**

Saint-Germainmont is a commune, which is the smallest territorial administrative division in France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the fundamental unit of local governance, similar to a municipality in other countries.

**Which department and region is Saint-Germainmont located in?**

Saint-Germainmont is situated in the Ardennes department, which is part of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. The department is known for its forested hills, the Meuse River valley, and its historical significance as a strategic border region.

**What recognition did Saint-Germainmont receive for World War I?**

Saint-Germainmont was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize military valor and service during World War I. This award indicates that the commune suffered damage or demonstrated bravery during the conflict, particularly given Ardennes' position as a contested region during the war.

**What is the arrondissement of Rethel?**

The arrondissement of Rethel is an administrative division of France within the Ardennes department. Arrondissements are sub-divisions of departments and serve as intermediate administrative units between the department and the commune level.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Germainmont represents the foundational unit of French local government, embodying the democratic and administrative principles established during the French Revolution. As one of over 35,000 communes in France, it participates in the country's distinctive decentralized governance structure, where local municipalities maintain significant autonomy while being part of a unified national system.

The commune's recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 signifies its historical significance during one of the most devastating conflicts in European history. The Ardennes region saw intense fighting during both World Wars, and communes like Saint-Germainmont bear witness to the impact of these events on French rural communities.

From a geographical perspective, Saint-Germainmont's coordinates (49.5077°N, 4.1314°E) place it in the northeastern part of France, a region that has historically served as a strategic corridor between France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. This positioning has shaped the area's history, culture, and economic development.

## Notable For

- **Historical Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for valor or damage during World War I
- **Administrative Continuity**: Part of the French commune system established in 1789, representing over two centuries of continuous local governance
- **Regional Identity**: Located in the Ardennes, a department known for its distinctive landscape, strategic historical importance, and cultural heritage in northeastern France

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Germainmont is positioned at coordinates 49.507777777778° north latitude and 4.1313888888889° east longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of France within the Ardennes department. The commune lies in the Grand Est region, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of Champagne-Ardenne, Alsace, and Lorraine. This region sits at the crossroads of Western and Central Europe, historically serving as a passage between France and neighboring countries.

The Ardennes department itself is characterized by its rolling hills, extensive forests, and the Meuse River, which flows through the region. The terrain has historically provided both natural resources and strategic advantages, though the region's proximity to European borders has also made it a frequent theater of conflict.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Saint-Germainmont operates as the lowest level of administrative division in France. The commune system traces its origins to the French Revolution of 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the previous feudal divisions and established communes as the fundamental units of territorial organization. This reform aimed to create a more uniform and rational administrative structure based on principles of equality and local representation.

Saint-Germainmont falls within the arrondissement of Rethel, an administrative subdivision that coordinates various state services at the sub-departmental level. Historically, the commune was part of the canton of Asfeld, a former administrative grouping that served electoral and judicial functions before departmental reorganizations.

### Historical Significance

The awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 to Saint-Germainmont indicates the commune's involvement in or suffering during World War I. This decoration, established by French law on April 2, 1915, was granted to communities that demonstrated valor or incurred damage during the conflict. The Ardennes region saw some of the earliest and most intense fighting of World War I, particularly during the Battle of the Frontiers and subsequent campaigns. The region's position along the French-German border made it strategically vital, and many communes in the area received this recognition for their resilience during the war.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for Saint-Germainmont are listed as numerical values in the source material (ranging from 775 to 868 across historical data points), these represent the commune's population at various census periods. The population range of approximately 775 to 868 residents is consistent with the small rural communes that characterize much of the Ardennes department. These smaller municipalities often face challenges related to population decline, aging populations, and the concentration of services in larger urban centers, though they maintain important roles in agricultural production, local heritage preservation, and regional ecological management.

### Relationship to French Administrative System

Saint-Germainmont exemplifies the French approach to local governance, which balances national unity with local autonomy. Communes like Saint-Germainmont possess legal personality and can own property, manage budgets, and provide local services. The mayor (maire) serves as the chief administrative officer, supported by a municipal council elected by residents.

The commune operates within a hierarchical administrative structure: communes are grouped into arrondissements, which are part of departments, which in turn are part of regions. This multi-layered system allows for both local representation and coordination of regional planning, public services, and state administration.

### Connection to Broader French Context

As part of France, Saint-Germainmont benefits from and contributes to the country's broader political, economic, and cultural systems. France's semi-presidential system, its membership in the European Union and NATO, and its role as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council all create the framework within which communes like Saint-Germainmont operate. The national motto of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity) reflects the revolutionary ideals that also gave rise to the commune system itself.

The Ardennes department's position near Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany connects Saint-Germainmont to European cross-border dynamics. The department's economy, culture, and daily life are influenced by both French national policies and regional cooperation with neighboring countries.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/H1--0200)
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. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)