Balan () is a commune in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of north-eastern France.
The commune has been awarded three flowers by the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages in Bloom.Balan, Ardennes in the Competition for Towns and Villages in Bloom
Geography Balan is located just east of Sedan and north-east of Bazeilles. Access to the commune is by the D8043A road from Sedan which continues south-east to Bazeilles. The D17 also passes through the town and continues east to Rubécourt-et-Lamécourt. The Route nationale N43 (E46) highway passes through the commune with the nearest exit being Exit just south-east of the commune. Much of the central area of the commune is urban with the northern part farmland and some forest.Google Maps
The Meuse river forms the south-western border of the commune as it flows north through Sedan.
Neighbouring communes and villages
History From 1560 to 1642 Balan was part of the Principality of Sedan.
Heraldry
Administration List of Successive MayorsList of Mayors of France
From To Name 1560 1574 Robert de la Tour 1574 Jean Foulon 1727 1730 Nicolas Gouveno 1730 1738 Noizet 1738 1739 Louis Halma 1739 1757 Jean Halma 1757 1759 Servais Godfroi 1759 1767 Henri Beuvart 1767 1786 Jean-Baptiste Thiéry 1786 1790 Claude Pierret 1790 1802 Gibou Valdory 1802 1812 Jacques Rognon 1812 1816 Branchu 1816 1821 de Bovier 1821 1837 Hourbette Malicet 1837 1848 Renard Maissin 1848 1850 Hourbette 1850 1852 Thiriet 1852 1856 Branchu 1856 1867 Lambert Plaisance 1867 1875 Martin Gourdet 1875 1890 Jean-Baptiste Somveille 1890 1891 Appolon Gombo 1891 1895 Onézime Crepel 1895 1898 Charles François Bonhomme 1898 Eugène Oudet 1913 Emile Bonneville 1913 Jules Michaux 1919 André Bazeille 1934 1935 Edouard Taltasse
Mayors from 1995 From To Name 1995 2020 André Drouard 2020 current Alban Collinet
Demography The inhabitants of the commune are known as Balanais or Balanaises in French.Le nom des habitants du 08 - Ardennes, habitants.fr
Culture and heritage
Civil heritage The commune has several buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments: The Bonhomme Spinning Mill (Now a Community Hall) (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Godchaux Weaving Mill (Now a Warehouse) (20th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Stackler Textile Works (Now a Business incubator) (19th century)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée The Bazaille Chard Plant (1906)Ministry of Culture, Mérimée
Notable people linked to the commune (1765-1832): French General of the Revolution and the Empire, died at Balan. Élisabeth Lion (1904-1988), French aviator, born at Balan.
See also Communes of the Ardennes department
References
External links
Balan on the old National Geographic Institute website Balan on the 1750 Cassini Map