Gentelles

Gentelles
Gentelles
Location within Picardy region  Gentelles
Coordinates: 49°50′45″N 2°27′28″E / 49.8458°N 2.4578°ECoordinates: 49°50′45″N 2°27′28″E / 49.8458°N 2.4578°E
Country	France
Region	Nord-Pas-de-Calais-Picardie
Department	Somme
Arrondissement	Amiens
Canton	Boves
Intercommunality	Val de Somme
Government
• Mayor (2001–2008)	Christian Alix
Area^1	5.57 km^2 (2.15 sq mi)
Population (2006)^2	4,787
• Density	860/km^2 (2,200/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code	80376 / 80800
Elevation	65–118 m (213–387 ft) (avg. 117 m or 384 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.

Gentelles is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.

Geography

Gentelles is situated on the D168 road, some 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Amiens.

History

The village has been known by various name through its history: Gentilla, Gentella, Gentèle, Gentela, Gentelles, Gentilles, Le Gendalle and finally Gentelles.

It was the first town to be given to the abbey of Corbie by Clovis II and Saint Bathilde.

On November 27, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, Gentelles was the scene of a skirmish between the 20th Battalion of Chasseurs and the Germans. There were 25 fatalities, of which 12 were French, who are buried in the cemetery, where later a memorial was erected.
During World War I, the village was at the centre of fighting during the Battle of the Somme and was all but destroyed.

Population

Historical population of Gentelles

Year	1896	1962	1968	1975	1982	1990	1999	2006
Population	545	269	299	358	359	446	461	478
From the year 1962 on: No double counting—residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) are counted only once.

See also

• Communes of the Somme department

References

• INSEE

External links

• Gentelles on the Quid website (French)