Vitry-le-François

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vitry-le-François
Coat of arms of Vitry-le-François
Vitry-le-François (France)
Vitry-le-François
region Grand Est
Department Marne
Arrondissement Vitry-le-François
Canton Vitry-le-François-Champagne et Der
Community association Vitry, Champagne et Der
Coordinates 48 ° 43 '  N , 4 ° 35'  E Coordinates: 48 ° 43 '  N , 4 ° 35'  E
height 92-112 m
surface 6.45 km 2
Residents 12,133 (January 1, 2017)
Population density 1,881 inhabitants / km 2
Post Code 51300
INSEE code 51649
Website Vitry-le-François

Vitry-le-François - city center

Vitry-le-François is a town and a municipality (commune) with 12,133 inhabitants (as of January 1, 2017) in the Marne department in the Grand Est region in north-eastern France .

location

The city is located on the Marne in the historic Perthois landscape approx. 78 km (driving distance) southeast of Reims at an altitude of approx. 105  m . About 10 km south of the city is the largest reservoir in France, Lac du Der-Chantecoq . The climate is temperate; Rain (approx. 650 mm / year) usually falls over the whole year.

channels

A large number of artificial waterways form a hub for inland navigation in north-eastern France. The following channels meet:

railroad

Vitry-le-François is located on the Paris – Strasbourg line , which is fully electrified, and is or was the end point of the lines from Fère-Champenoise and Vitry-le-François .

Streets

The national roads N4 and N44 meet here; there are also several departmental roads.

Population development

year 1800 1851 1901 1954 1999 2017
Residents 6925 7795 8561 11,131 16,737 12,133

economy

Vitry-le-François has been dependent on the supply of food from the surrounding area since it was re-established in the 16th century. The city grew steadily and soon handicrafts, trade and various small service companies determined life in the center of the small town. In the 20th century regional and supraregional training centers, hospitals and also smaller industrial companies were added, most of which have settled in the industrial zone de Vitry-Marolles .

history

The history of the city can be traced back to the Romans ; already under Julius Caesar a veterans colony with the name Victrix ("the victorious") was established nearby . In 1284, the Champagne and Perthois fell to the French crown , which came under heavy pressure from all sides during the Hundred Years War (1337-1453). In 1420 Vitry was set on fire by the troops of John II of Luxembourg .

The city owes its name to King Francis I , who had it rebuilt after it was completely destroyed by the armies of Charles V in 1544. However, it was not rebuilt exactly at its old location; this is located a little northeast of the city near the village of Vitry-en-Perthois , which was previously called Vitry-le-Brûlé . In 1626 the geometrically designed new city had around 11,600 inhabitants, but their number was decimated in the following years by the outbreak of famine and a plague epidemic .

In August 1914, the first month of the First World War , the headquarters of Joseph Joffre were in Vitry-le-François . In September 1914, one of the many Marne battles took place in the Vitry-le-François area . In June 1940, 80% of the city was destroyed by German aerial bombs and artillery fire; four years later the Allies bombed the station district and large parts of the city, which was now over 90% destroyed.

Attractions

Porte du Pont

Town twinning

Personalities

The German mathematician Werner Boy (1879–1914) died in the First World War as a German soldier near Vitry-le-François.

Web links

Commons : Vitry-le-François  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Vitry-le-Francois - Map with altitude information
  2. ^ Vitry-le-François
  3. ^ Vitry-le-Francois - Economy
  4. ↑ Vitry-le-Francois - History