What if I told you Montigny-en-Gohelle was once known as Montigniacum? Step closer and let’s unravel the story of this commune in Pas-de-Calais. Montigny-en-Gohelle sits in the Hauts-de-France region. It is about 7 miles east of Lens. Its area spans a compact 3.5 square kilometers.
Montigny-en-Gohelle’s story is also about its people. Locals are known as Montignois. In 2022, the population was approximately 9,667. This gives it a high density. The density is around 2,800 people per square kilometer.
Let’s journey back to the origins of its name. The name evolved through the ages. It transformed from Montigniacum in 1058 to Montigny-en-Gohelle by 1801. The “Montigny” part possibly derives from *Montaniacum. Its exact meaning is debated. “Gohelle” links it to a traditional area within Artois. Some suggest “Gohelle” comes from the old German “göll”. “Göll” means sterile. Others think it comes from Gauharia. Gauharia means a region covered in thickets.
Montigny-en-Gohelle carries scars from World War I. The commune earned the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918. It is a mark of its resilience.
The town played a significant role in World War II. In May-June 1941, local miners staged a major strike. This strike deprived the Germans of 93,000 tons of coal. The strike lasted almost two weeks. The Nazi response was brutal. Over a hundred people were arrested. Executions and deportations followed. About 270 people were deported. This was one of France’s first collective resistance acts.
Montigny-en-Gohelle was at the heart of three major national events. These include the “battle of coal” from 1945-1947. It also involves the miners’ strikes of 1947 and 1948.
Let’s talk about the geography of Montigny-en-Gohelle. The altitude varies between 23 and 42 meters. The Montigny stream crosses the commune. It flows into the Lens canal.
Montigny-en-Gohelle is twinned with several towns. These towns include Hrastnik and Stollberg. They also include Johannesburg and Tamási. Ruda Śląska is also a twin town.
The Sainte-Marie-Madeleine church stands as a landmark. The Saint-Joseph chapel also holds a place of reverence. The town also has two war memorials. They commemorate those who sacrificed.
Consider Georges Lech. He was a French international footballer. He was born here in 1945.
The coat of arms shows three silver coats of mail on a red background. The base is blue with a silver chain. The central link is broken. This symbolizes strength and resilience.
So, as we stand here, remember Montigny-en-Gohelle. It is a town of layered history and quiet strength.