Écoust-Saint-Mein
Geography
Écoust-Saint-Mein is a farming village situated 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Arras at the junction of the D956 and D5 roads.
History
During World War I, Écoust-Saint-Mein was located on the Hindenburg Line when its inhabitants were evacuated by German forces. The church tower was mined and served as a landmark for gunners. Following the battle of Arras in 1917, it was captured by the Allies until it was recaptured by the Germans in March 1918 and finally retaken on 3 September 1918.
Population
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1968 | 466 | — |
1975 | 453 | −0.40% |
1982 | 468 | +0.47% |
1990 | 443 | −0.68% |
1999 | 429 | −0.36% |
2007 | 487 | +1.60% |
2012 | 506 | +0.77% |
2017 | 491 | −0.60% |
Source: INSEE |
Places of interest
- The church of St. Mein, dating from the sixteenth century.
- Traces of an old castle.
- World War I cemeteries.
In popular culture
In the 2019 film 1917, Écoust-Saint-Mein is depicted as a ruined waypoint on the mission of the main character. The film's depiction of the town is largely based on actual history. As the town became a war zone during the First World War, the villagers had no choice but to abandon Écoust-Saint-Mein, returning after the war to rebuild. Fictional elements were also integrated, however, such as the river crossing the town.
See also
References
- ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
- ^ INSEE commune file
- ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE