Rethel facts for kids
Rethel is a town in northern France. It is located in the Ardennes area, which is part of the Grand Est region. Rethel is found near the Aisne River. It is about 37 kilometers (23 miles) from the city of Reims.
Rethel is home to about 7,592 people (as of 2017). It is an important town in the Ardennes department. Its residents are called Rethélois.
Quick facts for kids
Rethel
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Subprefecture and commune
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Town hall
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 Rethel
Location in France
Rethel
Location in Grand Est
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| Country | France | |
| Region | Grand Est | |
| Department | Ardennes | |
| Arrondissement | Rethel | |
| Canton | Rethel | |
| Area
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18.58 km2 (7.17 sq mi) | |
| Population
(Jan. 2021)
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| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| INSEE/Postal code |
08362 /08300
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| Elevation | 67–146 m (220–479 ft) | |
| Website | www.villederethel.fr | |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | ||
Contents
History of Rethel
The history of Rethel is quite old. A legend says that the famous Roman leader Julius Caesar founded the town. He supposedly set up a camp here during his military trips.
Early Days and Counts
Long ago, the parents of Saint Arnulf of Metz gave their land in Rethel to Saint Remigius, who was a bishop. This was a thank you for their prayers being answered. The town then belonged to a religious group called the Abbey of Saint-Remi.
The town was managed by special leaders called advocati. One of them, Manasses I, became the first Count of Rethel. Over time, Rethel became a very important place. In 1481, it became a peerage. Later, in 1581, it was made into a duchy, which is a territory ruled by a duke or duchess. By 1663, it was known as the Duchy of Mazarin.
Wars and Challenges
Rethel has seen many battles throughout its history. During the Franco-Spanish War, Spanish forces captured the town in 1652. This happened after a long four-year siege. However, French troops took it back in 1653.
In 1814, during the Napoleonic Wars, sick Spanish prisoners brought a disease called typhus to Rethel. A kind person named Jean-Baptiste Reberotte-Labesse helped care for the ill soldiers. The town also faced other health challenges. There were Cholera outbreaks in 1832 and 1849. In 1839, typhoid fever caused many deaths.
During World War II, Rethel was a place of very heavy fighting. From May to June 1940, French soldiers bravely defended the town. They fought against German attacks for a month before the town eventually fell.
Famous People from Rethel
Several notable people were born in Rethel:
- Jacques Boucher de Crèvecœur de Perthes (1788–1868): He was a geologist and an expert in old objects. He studied the Earth and ancient human history.
- Louis Christophe François Hachette (1800–1864): He became a very famous publisher. He founded a large publishing company that still exists today.
- Maurice Maillot (1906–1968): He was a well-known film and theater actor.
See also
In Spanish: Rethel para niños
