Chauny
Commune
Town hall
Town hall
Coat of arms of Chauny
Coat of arms
Location of Chauny
Map
Chauny is located in France
Chauny
Chauny
Chauny is located in Hauts-de-France
Chauny
Chauny
Coordinates: 49°36′59″N 3°13′12″E / 49.6164°N 3.22°E / 49.6164; 3.22
CountryFrance
RegionHauts-de-France
DepartmentAisne
ArrondissementLaon
CantonChauny
IntercommunalityCA Chauny Tergnier La Fère
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Emmanuel Liévin[1] (DVC)
Area
1
13.28 km2 (5.13 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
11,496
 • Density870/km2 (2,200/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
02173 /02300
Elevation42–96 m (138–315 ft)
(avg. 69 m or 226 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Chauny (French pronunciation: [ʃoni]) is a commune in the Aisne department[3] in Hauts-de-France in northern France.

History

There has been a settlement on the site, more or less continuously, since at least the Carolingian era. Known variously as Calgny, Cauny, Canni, Calni or as Chaulni. In Latin, contemporary chroniclers and historians such as Flodoard, Guibert de Noyon/Nogent used at least 13 different names when referring to it; such as Calnacum, Calniacum, Cauniacum, Calviniacum and Channiacum.

Chauny, then a mere castle, served as a refuge for those fleeing the Vandal and Hunnic invasions of 407 and 451 respectively.

The town was occupied by German forces for part of World War I, and was close to the front lines for much of the war. It was extensively destroyed during the process of its recapture by Allied forces in 1917. It is disputed whether, or to what degree, the destruction was caused by Allied bombardments, aerial and artillery, versus demolition by retreating Germans.

The community was rebuilt after that war, largely in a traditional French "châteaux" style; in particular the municipal buildings, done in red brick with stonework. Most of the existing structures date from this time, or later; especially those in the town centre.

During World War II, a chemical factory in the town was bombed by Allied aircraft, on 8 August 1944. This was completed as part of an attack on industrial infrastructure. The town was liberated by American forces on 2 September 1944.

Geography

Built on the banks of the Oise and the Saint-Quentin canal, the town still retains its port to this day. Chauny is roughly equal distances from Soissons (34 km), Laon (36 km) and Saint-Quentin, Aisne (30 km) and is right at the heart of Picardy.

Chauny is well linked to the rest of the region by road : close to the A26 and A29 motorways which head towards Saint Quentin. The national airports in Paris are an hour by car.

The town is served by an important railway network and the railway line has passed through the town since 1849. The railway station in Chauny is part of the Paris - St Quentin - Maubeuge line, and is well serviced by Corail and TER trains towards Paris, Compiègne and Saint Quentin. The station was re built after the war to plans by Urbain Cassan.

The Saint-Quentin canal was built as a junction between the Somme and the Oise in 1738, is popular with barges.

A very modern theatre often shows cultural exhibitions and performances. Close by are the forests of Saint-Gobain and Coucy Basse.

Schools

The town today has three collèges and four lycées: there is a scientific, technical and professional lycée, Jean Macé, a general and technical lycée, Gay-Lussac, a private lycée, Saint-Charles, and a private agricultural lycée, Robert Schuman.

Population

Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 13,920—    
1975 14,405+0.49%
1982 13,435−0.99%
1990 12,926−0.48%
1999 12,523−0.35%
2007 12,518−0.00%
2012 11,832−1.12%
2017 11,878+0.08%
Source: INSEE[4]

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in France

Chauny is twinned with:[5]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 6 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021". The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Chauny" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 19.
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  5. ^ "Le jumelage Andenne, Bergheim, Chauny a 50 ans" (in French). L'Aisne nouvelle. 2 June 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
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