Somain, Nord

Somain
Commune

Coat of arms
Somain
Location within Hauts-de-France region
Somain
Coordinates: 50°21′30″N 3°16′52″E / 50.3583°N 3.2811°E / 50.3583; 3.2811Coordinates: 50°21′30″N 3°16′52″E / 50.3583°N 3.2811°E / 50.3583; 3.2811
Country France
Region Hauts-de-France
Department Nord
Arrondissement Douai
Canton Sin-le-Noble
Intercommunality CC Cœur d'Ostrevent
Government
 • Mayor (1977–2014) Jean-Claude Quennesson
Area1 12.32 km2 (4.76 sq mi)
Population (1999)2 12,013
 • Density 980/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code 59574 /59490
Elevation 16–48 m (52–157 ft)
(avg. 32 m or 105 ft)

1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

2 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Somain is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. The former commune of Villers-Campeau was absorbed by Somain in 1947. The town was known for its extensive mining industry.

Mining

Most nearby mines were operated by either the Aniche Mining Company or the Anzin Mining Company.

The Renaissance mine was the first mine. It was opened in the south of the town in 1839. It was soon followed by the St Louis mine, which opened in 1843, and was located a few hundred yards south of the Renaissance mine. The Renaissance mine closed in 1890, and the St Louis mine in 1925.

In 1856, the Anzin Mining Company opened the Casimir Périer mine in the South East of the town, near Fenain and Abscon. Coal extraction ceased at the Casimir Périer mine in 1935, but the mine remained open to allow access to another local pit, the Saint Mark mine.

The Aniche mining company opened the De Sessavalle mine in 1902. The mine closed in 1970.

Saint Louis Mine around 1910.
Fénelon mine around 1900.
Brickyard owned by the Aniche Mining Company around 1930.

Transport

Somain was previously served by the following rail lines: Somain - Péruwelz, Aubigny-au-Bac - Somain, Somain - Halluin via Orchies, Somain - Douai (Nord), and Somain - Douai (Sud).

Politics

Since 1912, the town has had the following mayors:

  • 1912-1945: Victor Bachelet
  • 1945-1947: Eugène Dutouquet
  • 1947-1952: Victor Bachelet
  • 1952-1964: Achille Fleury
  • 1964-1977: Marc Demilly
  • 1977–present: Jean-Claude Quennesson (incumbent)

Education

Primary Schools

There are various primary schools in Somain:

  • École primaire Louis-Aragon, located in De Sessevalle.
  • École primaire Marie-Curie, located in the town center.
  • École primaire Désiré-Chevalier, located in Villers-Campeau.
  • École primaire Henri-Barbusse, located near the Cheminots estate.
  • École primaire Sainte-Anne (private school).

Colleges

Somain has three colleges:

  • Collège Victor-Hugo, located in the town center.
  • Collège Louis-Pasteur, located near the Cheminots estate.
  • Collège Sainte-Anne, a private college located near the city center.

There are plans to renovate Collège Victor-Hugo to meet HQE standards.

Lycées

There are two lycées in Somain:

  • Lycée général et technologique Louis-Pasteur, located near the Cheminots estate.
  • Lycée Hélène-Boucher, a private college located in De Sessevalle.

See also

Twin towns

Notable people

References


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