Arrondissements of the Ardennes department facts for kids
The Ardennes department in France is divided into four main areas called arrondissements. You can think of an arrondissement as a large district or a borough within a department.
Each arrondissement has a main town, which is called a subprefecture. If the main city of the whole department is located within one of these arrondissements, that city serves as both the department's capital and the arrondissement's subprefecture.
Arrondissements are further divided into smaller areas known as communes, which are like towns or villages.
The four arrondissements in the Ardennes department are:
| INSEE code |
Arrondissement | Capital | Population (2014) |
Area (km²) |
Density (Inh./km²) |
Communes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 081 | Charleville-Mézières | Charleville-Mézières | 160,939 | 1,825.3 | 88.2 | 160 |
| 082 | Rethel | Rethel | 37,142 | 1,199.7 | 31.0 | 101 |
| 083 | Sedan | Sedan | 59,584 | 792.2 | 75.2 | 73 |
| 084 | Vouziers | Vouziers | 22,050 | 1,412.2 | 15.6 | 118 |
Contents
History of Ardennes Arrondissements
The way the Ardennes department is organized has changed a few times since it was first created.
Early Divisions (1790)
When the Ardennes department was first set up in 1790, it was divided into six districts. These districts were Charleville, Grandpré, Rethel, Rocroi, Sedan, and Vouziers.
Arrondissements Are Formed (1800)
In 1800, these districts were reorganized and renamed as arrondissements. At this time, there were five arrondissements: Mézières, Rethel, Rocroi, Sedan, and Vouziers.
Changes Over Time
Over the years, some changes were made to these divisions.
- In 1926, the arrondissements of Rocroi and Sedan were removed. This meant they were no longer separate administrative areas.
- Later, in 1942, Sedan was once again made an arrondissement. This brought the total number of arrondissements back up.
Images for kids
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Map of arrondissements of the Ardennes department.
