Varennes, Somme
| Varrenes-en-Croix | |
|---|---|
| Commune | |
 Varrenes-en-Croix
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Location within Hauts-de-France region
Varrenes-en-Croix
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| Coordinates: 50°03′01″N 2°32′06″E / 50.0503°N 2.535°ECoordinates: 50°03′01″N 2°32′06″E / 50.0503°N 2.535°E | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Hauts-de-France |
| Department | Somme |
| Arrondissement | Amiens |
| Canton | Albert |
| Intercommunality | Pays du Coquelicot |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2001–2008) | Jackie Pillon |
| Area1 | 7.24 km2 (2.80 sq mi) |
| Population (2006)2 | 188 |
| • Density | 26/km2 (67/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 80776 /80560 |
| Elevation | 83–156 m (272–512 ft) (avg. 147 m or 482 ft) |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. 2Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. |
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1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.
Varennes-en-Croix is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France.
Varennes is situated 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Amiens, at the junction of the D47, D447 and D179, in the form of a cross.
The settlement of Franc-Mailly was located at the site of the present-day cemetery of Varennes, where the seigneurs made their home, with a farm and a mill. Wishing to promote the culture of their region, land was granted to the people to build homes, free from any kind of duties and taxes. Over time the village of Franc-Mailly became a popular haunt for criminals. According to tradition, in 1069 the four corners of the village of Franc-Mailly were burnt down on the orders of the Seigneur. The remaining core of the village, grouped around the manor house, became Varennes.
Florent de Varennes, lord of Varennes, son-in-law of John II, Count of Soissons, became the first Admiral of France, heading the naval journey to North Africa, where Saint Louis IX led the Eighth Crusade. Like the King and Prince John Tristan of France, Count of Valois, he died in front of Tunis in August 1270, due to dysentery. His coat of arms "Gules a Cross Or" (Red with a gold cross) is still the coat of arms of the village.
In 1472, Charles the Bold invaded Picardy in retaliation against Louis XI who had refused to ratify the treaty on October 3, 1471 in which Charles claimed possession of Amiens, Saint-Quentin and the Vimeu. Many villages were burnt down, including that of Varennes, which was rebuilt with its streets in the shape of a cross".
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Wikipedia