# Vauxaillon

> commune in Aisne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q868218](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q868218)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxaillon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vauxaillon

## Summary
Vauxaillon is a commune located in the Aisne department of France, within the arrondissement of Laon and historically part of the canton of Anizy-le-Château. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 500 residents, recognized for its historical significance during World War I, as evidenced by its award of the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918*.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Aisne department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
- **Administrative Division**:
  - Part of the arrondissement of Laon.
  - Formerly part of the canton of Anizy-le-Château (until March 2015).
- **Population**: Historical data shows fluctuations, including 502, 522, 538, 540, 539, 300, 288, 290, 326, 378, 436, 509, 542, 530, 517, 504, and 498 residents across different years.
- **Coordinates**: 49.478888888889° N, 3.4083333333333° E.
- **Transport**: Served by the Gare de Vauxaillon railway station.
- **Historical Recognition**: Awarded the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918* (established April 2, 1915), a French military decoration for its role in World War I.
- **Governance**: Operates as a *commune*, the basic territorial subdivision of France since 1789.
- **Website**: Official site at [http://www.vauxaillon.fr](http://www.vauxaillon.fr).
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 47 references across languages.

## FAQs

**Where is Vauxaillon located?**
Vauxaillon is a commune in the Aisne department of northern France, situated within the arrondissement of Laon. It lies at coordinates 49.478888888889° N, 3.4083333333333° E, placing it in the Hauts-de-France region.

**What is the population of Vauxaillon?**
The population has varied over time, with recorded figures including 502, 522, 538, and 540 residents in recent decades. Historical data also shows lower counts, such as 288 and 290, reflecting demographic changes typical of rural French communes.

**What is the historical significance of Vauxaillon?**
Vauxaillon was awarded the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918*, a military decoration established on April 2, 1915, to honor its contributions or sacrifices during World War I. This recognition underscores its role in the conflict, particularly given its proximity to the Western Front.

**How is Vauxaillon governed?**
As a *commune*, Vauxaillon is the smallest administrative division in France, governed by a municipal council and mayor. It falls under the broader administration of the Aisne department and the arrondissement of Laon, with historical ties to the now-defunct canton of Anizy-le-Château.

**What transportation options are available in Vauxaillon?**
The commune is served by the Gare de Vauxaillon railway station, providing local rail connectivity. This infrastructure links it to nearby towns and the broader regional transport network.

## Why It Matters
Vauxaillon embodies the resilience and historical depth of rural France, particularly in regions shaped by 20th-century conflicts. Its award of the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918* highlights its direct involvement in World War I, serving as a microcosm of the broader sacrifices made by French communities during the war. As a commune, it represents the foundational administrative structure of France, ensuring local governance and community identity. Its small but stable population reflects the challenges and continuity of rural life in modern France, while its railway station underscores the importance of connectivity in sustaining such communities. For historians, genealogists, and regional planners, Vauxaillon offers a case study in the interplay between local identity, historical memory, and administrative function.

## Notable For
- **World War I Recognition**: One of the communes awarded the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918*, marking its contributions during the war.
- **Rural Demography**: Exemplifies the demographic trends of small French communes, with population data spanning over a century.
- **Administrative Structure**: A classic example of a French *commune*, the basic unit of local governance since the French Revolution.
- **Transport Hub**: Home to the Gare de Vauxaillon, a railway station facilitating regional connectivity.
- **Geographical Coordinates**: Precisely located at 49.478888888889° N, 3.4083333333333° E, aiding in cartographic and historical research.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Vauxaillon is situated in the Aisne department of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. Its coordinates are 49.478888888889° N latitude and 3.4083333333333° E longitude, placing it within the broader landscape of the Picardy historical region. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Laon, a key administrative division in Aisne, and was historically associated with the canton of Anizy-le-Château until the territorial reforms of March 2015.

### Historical Context
The commune’s most notable historical distinction is its receipt of the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918*, a decoration established on April 2, 1915, to honor cities, villages, and military units for their actions during World War I. This award signifies Vauxaillon’s direct involvement in the war, likely due to its proximity to the Western Front, where many battles and occupations occurred. The decoration serves as a permanent reminder of the commune’s sacrifices and resilience during the conflict.

### Demographics
Population records for Vauxaillon show significant variation over time, reflecting broader trends in rural France. Documented figures include:
- **Early 20th Century**: 300, 288, 290 residents.
- **Mid-20th Century**: 326, 378, 436 residents.
- **Late 20th–Early 21st Century**: 502, 522, 538, 540, 539, 509, 542, 530, 517, 504, 498 residents.

These fluctuations illustrate the challenges of rural depopulation, economic shifts, and the impact of historical events such as wars and industrialization.

### Governance and Administration
As a *commune*, Vauxaillon is governed under the framework established during the French Revolution in 1789, which decentralized local administration. It operates with a municipal council and a mayor, elected by residents to manage local affairs, infrastructure, and services. The commune is part of the larger administrative structures of the Aisne department and the arrondissement of Laon, ensuring integration into regional and national governance systems.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
Vauxaillon is served by the **Gare de Vauxaillon**, a railway station that provides essential transport links to neighboring communities and the broader region. This infrastructure is critical for the mobility of residents, access to services, and economic activity. The station’s presence reflects the historical and ongoing importance of rail networks in connecting rural areas to urban centers in France.

### Cultural and Historical Recognition
The award of the *Croix de guerre 1914–1918* places Vauxaillon within a select group of French communes recognized for their wartime contributions. This honor is not only a point of local pride but also a subject of historical study, particularly for researchers focusing on the impact of World War I on rural communities. The decoration is a tangible link to the past, reinforcing the commune’s identity and its role in national memory.

### Related Entities
- **Aisne Department**: The broader administrative region in which Vauxaillon is located, known for its historical significance in both World Wars.
- **Arrondissement of Laon**: The administrative district overseeing Vauxaillon, centered around the historic city of Laon.
- **Canton of Anizy-le-Château**: The former canton to which Vauxaillon belonged until the 2015 territorial reforms.
- **Gare de Vauxaillon**: The local railway station, a key piece of infrastructure for the commune.
- **Croix de guerre 1914–1918**: The military decoration awarded to Vauxaillon, symbolizing its wartime contributions.

### Modern Relevance
Today, Vauxaillon remains a small but historically significant commune, balancing the preservation of its past with the needs of its present population. Its rural character, combined with its historical recognition, makes it a point of interest for those studying French local governance, demographic trends, and the legacy of World War I. The commune’s official website ([http://www.vauxaillon.fr](http://www.vauxaillon.fr)) serves as a resource for residents and visitors, providing information on local services, history, and events.

## 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)