Airaines (; Picard: Araine) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.
Geography The commune is situated north west of Amiens, about south of Abbeville, at the junction of the D901 and D936 roads.
Hamlets and neighbourhoods
Dourier : Originally a hamlet to the northeast of the town, now a suburb. Dreuil-Hamel : Stretching out to the west, sprinkled with orchards and meadows, this commune was once separate. By decree of 26 September 1972 it was joined with Airaines in a simple merger.Modifications aux circonscriptions administratives territoriales (fusion de communes), Journal officiel de la République française n° 0002, 3 January 1973, pp. 141-142.
Population
History In earlier times, the town flourished, due mainly to the importance of the castle of the dukes of Luynes. During World War II, the town was subject to much destruction in June 1940. The Market hall was destroyed. The years 1985-2000 saw the closure of several important economical activities, resulting in high unemployment
Places and monuments Saint-Denis church The Priory (Notre Dame church) Dreuil-Hamel church, abandoned and in danger of collapsing The towers of the dukes of Luynes The memorial to Charles N'Tchoréré A monument aux morts with sculptural work by Albert Dominique Roze
People Charles N'Tchoréré (15 November 1896 - 1940) was a Gabonese military commander who was shot by the Germans in World War II during the battle for France.
Twin towns Kriftel, Germany
See also Communes of the Somme department War memorials (Western Somme)
References
External links
(All French language) The Priory website Official municipal website