Neuville-Saint-Vaast
Commune in Hauts-de-France, France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neuville-Saint-Vaast (French pronunciation: [nøvil sɛ̃ va]) is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France[3] 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) south of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial dedicated to the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Memorial was built on Hill 145, the highest point of the ridge[4] to commemorate the battle and the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War. The Memorial is also the site of the Canadian Cemetery No. 2, Neuville-St.-Vaast and Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery, Neuville-St.-Vaast.[5][6]
Neuville-Saint-Vaast | |
|---|---|
Town hall and the church | |
 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Neuville-Saint-Vaast | |
  Neuville-Saint-Vaast  Neuville-Saint-Vaast | |
| Coordinates: 50°21′22″N 2°45′32″E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Hauts-de-France |
| Department | Pas-de-Calais |
| Arrondissement | Arras |
| Canton | Arras-1 |
| Intercommunality | CU Arras |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Jean-Pierre Puchois[1] |
Area 1 | 12.59 km2 (4.86 sq mi) |
| Population (2023)[2] | 1,628 |
| • Density | 129.3/km2 (334.9/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 62609 /62580 |
| Elevation | 81–144 m (266–472 ft) (avg. 107 m or 351 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
The Neuville-St Vaast German war cemetery (also called Maison Blanche) is the largest in France from WWI, with 44,833 buried here.[7]
Geography
History
In World War I, Neuville-Saint-Vaast was the location of intense mining activity by the tunnelling companies of the Royal Engineers. In March 1916, the New Zealand Tunnelling Company relieved the French 7/1 compagnie d'ingénieurs territoriaux in the "Labyrinth" sector of the Western Front. The German "Labyrinth" stronghold was located near Neuville-Saint-Vaast, between Roclincourt and Écurie and not far from Notre Dame de Lorette.[8] On 29 March 1916, the New Zealand Tunnelling Company exchanged position with the 185th Tunnelling Company and moved to Roclincourt-Chantecler, a kilometre south of their old sector.[8] The 176th Tunnelling Company moved to Neuville-Saint-Vaast in April 1916 and remained there for a considerable time,[9] as did the 172nd Tunnelling Company, which was relieved at Neuville-Saint-Vaast by the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company in May 1916.[9]
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 927 | — |
| 1975 | 973 | +0.69% |
| 1982 | 1,129 | +2.15% |
| 1990 | 1,295 | +1.73% |
| 1999 | 1,400 | +0.87% |
| 2007 | 1,477 | +0.67% |
| 2012 | 1,510 | +0.44% |
| 2017 | 1,526 | +0.21% |
| 2023 | 1,628 | +1.08% |
| Source: INSEE[10] | ||
Places of interest
Notable people
- Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, sculptor, died in the fighting here on the 5 June 1915.
- François Hennebique, an inventor of reinforced concrete, was born here on the 26 April 1842.
