Anchamps (French pronunciation: [ɑ̃ʃɑ̃]) is a commune in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northern France.

Anchamps
Bridge at the Lock at Anchamps
Bridge at the Lock at Anchamps
Coat of arms of Anchamps
Location of Anchamps
Map
Anchamps is located in France
Anchamps
Anchamps
Anchamps is located in Grand Est
Anchamps
Anchamps
Coordinates: 49°55′56″N 4°40′34″E / 49.9322°N 4.6761°E / 49.9322; 4.6761
CountryFrance
RegionGrand Est
DepartmentArdennes
ArrondissementCharleville-Mézières
CantonRevin
IntercommunalityArdenne-Rives-de-Meuse
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Michel Colcy[1]
Area
1
2.26 km2 (0.87 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
213
 • Density94/km2 (240/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
08011 /08500
Elevation127–345 m (417–1,132 ft)
(avg. 140 m or 460 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Geography

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Anchamps is about 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) south of Fumay and 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) east of Rocroi on the left bank of the Meuse just east of the Orzy neighbourhood of Revin. Road access to the town is by a local road from Revin which follows the bank of the Meuse and a road bridge over the Meuse connects to the D1 road. The village is served by the TER train from Givet to Charleville-Mézières four or five times per day. The railway also follows the Meuse crossing over on the railway viaduct on the east side of the commune.

The Meuse river forms the border of the commune on the west, north, and east sides.[3]

Neighbouring communes and villages

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[3]

Toponymy

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  • Angehan (1400)
  • Engehan (1459)
  • Auchamp (1793)
  • Amchamps (1801)

According to JP Lépine, Anchamps was once written Enjean and Enchamp.

It probably derives from anacum: an meaning "river" and acum meaning "close" – i.e. "close to the river".

 
Road bridge over the Meuse giving access to Anchamps from the D1
 
Railway viaduct over the Meuse between Anchamps and Laifour

History

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In 1509 the village had only 12 fires, in 1728 – 18, and in 1846–59 fires or 235 inhabitants.

The origin of the village is unknown: it is as old as the village of Deville which has long depended on the Barony of Montcornet.

The inhabitants of Anchamps, like all communes from the Barony of Montcornet had to pay annual manorial dues which was two hens for each citizen; 18 deniers for the rights of the people; for the use of the river water for crushing (there used to be a crushing mill) 3 livres and 5 sols; 2 Paris sols and 6 eels for fishing the Meuse; 2 sols and 6 deniers per swathe of meadow; and 9 deniers per arpent of occupied land.

Following a charter dated 3 August and 27 July 1546, Charles de Croy gave the inhabitants of this village, and the villages of Deville, Laifour Secheval, and Mazures an extensive wood called Wèbes.

The Lordship of Anchamps was sold to César Bernier in 1578 and was reunited with the County of Lonny in 1663 with all manorial rights attached. On the sale and acquisition of the marquisate by the Duke of Meillaraie in 1674, the rights granted to the residents by Charles de Croy were retained and that purchaser even provided them forever by deed of 22 September 1679 with the responsibility to pay him 15 sols per arpent annually.

The last lord of this place was Louis-Marie-Charles, the Viscount of Salse, a knight and also Lord of Laifour.

The village church dates from 1766.

Administration

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List of mayors[4]

From To Name
1995 2007 Jean Gugole
2007 2007 Valérie Gugole
2007 2020 Michel Philippe
2020 Current Michel Colcy

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 182—    
1975 177−0.40%
1982 199+1.69%
1990 204+0.31%
1999 192−0.67%
2007 226+2.06%
2012 232+0.53%
2017 217−1.33%
Source: INSEE[5]

Sites and monuments

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Pierre Roland

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This site consists of two blocks of diorite. The first is called Pierre Roland and has the shape of an irregular pyramid. It rises to 1.4 metres (4 ft 7 in) above ground and is probably buried 50 cm. Its four edges are said to alignt with sunrises and sunsets. The other lies 10 m to the northwest and measures 1.77 x 0.67 x 0.37 m. These stones are said to have been thrown by Satan from three rocks called the Ladies of Meuse at the famous Charlemagne's nephew, Roland, to force him to retreat. One of the three projectiles rolled into the Meuse, the other two landed at the feet of the hero.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ a b Google Maps
  4. ^ List of Mayors of France
  5. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
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