Poix-Terron

Poix-Terron () is a commune located in the department of Ardennes, in the Grand Est (lit. "Great East") region of France.

Geography

Two villages belong to the commune: Poix, and the churchless Terron-les-Poix. Poix became Poix-Terron in 1897. Poix is located on the N51, 18 km from Charleville-Mézières, and 28 km from Rethel. Terron is located 1.5 km from Poix on the D27. The river Vence flows through the commune.

The Poix-Terron railway station is on the Soissons–Givet railway between Reims and Charleville-Mézières. The station was reopened on 1 October 2011.

History

The town has suffered during religious wars: there was a fire in the village and castle in 1641, and a siege of the church on 8 July 1651. King Louis XIV passed through on 25 June and 7 August 1654.

On 30 August 1870, during the Franco-German war, the Affaire de Poix (The Poix Case, lit. "Poix Affair") occurred, involving the 42nd infantry regiment.

On 14 May 1940, a breach, 8 km in length, occurred between Poix-Terron and Baâlons in the French line of defence. A battalion of Spahis attempted to close the breach and held against the Germans in the battle of the Horgne.

Politics and Administration

Demographics

Places and Monuments

• The Roman Catholic church of Saint-Martin of Poix-Terron, built in white stone, is a historical monument, registered as such on 19 July 1926. The bell, which dates from 1599, is classified as a historical monument. In 2008, the stained-glass windows were restored and a new window depicting Saint Martin was added.
• The Monument to the Dead in front of the town hall.

Famous people from the Commune

• General Léon Pillere (1844-1911), born in the town, commanded the 60th infantry brigade.

See also

• Communes of the Ardennes department

References