Wondering about a French town bordering Belgium? That’s Neuville-en-Ferrain. It sits in the Nord department of northern France. Neuville-en-Ferrain is part of the MEtropole Européenne de Lille.
Neuville-en-Ferrain is a commune. A commune is like a town or district. It has a mayor. Marie Tonnerre-Desmet is the current mayor. She was elected in 2020. Her term lasts for six years.
Neuville-en-Ferrain has about 10125 residents. That was the count in 2022. The area is just over six square kilometers. This gives Neuville-en-Ferrain a high population density. It has about 1600 residents per square kilometer.
Neuville-en-Ferrain’s history goes back centuries. Its roots lie in grand deforestation. Agricultural progress also played a role. The region’s population increased. This led to Neuville-en-Ferrain’s founding.
In 1609, locals gained a special right. They could make bourgeterie. This was wool fabric in the Lille dialect. Neuville-en-Ferrain became French in 1668. This happened through the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle.
Neuville-en-Ferrain saw Prussian invasion. This happened in 1792. The Battle of Tourcoing impacted the town in 1793. Neuville-en-Ferrain achieved victory in 1794.
The border was important for smuggling. People smuggled tobacco and petrol. They also moved coffee and chocolate. Lace and livestock were smuggled too. Even essence was part of it. This went from Belgium into France. The reverse also occurred. France banned perfume and alcohol. So they were smuggled into Belgium.
Let’s talk about some key buildings in Neuville-en-Ferrain. First is the Saint-Quirin church. It is in the town center. It dates back to 1500. The revolutionary government closed it in 1793. It was later demolished. Then it was rebuilt between 1860 and 1873. It was also used during both World Wars.
Next is the presbytery near Saint-Quirin. It is a notable building. It dates to the 18th century. It has been remodeled. A “curé garden” remains at the rear. This is a remnant of larger formal gardens. The facade is raised above the street. This elevation recalls a past moat. Water once surrounded the presbytery.
Also worth seeing is the Ferme du vert bois. This 19th-century farm is typical. You can find farms like it throughout Ferrain. Don’t miss the weaver’s houses. These date from the mid-19th century. They served as both workplaces and homes.
Finally, visit the Sainte-Thérèse church. This is in the Risquons-Tout district. It’s near Mouscron in Belgium. It was built in 1928. It made attending mass easier for parishioners. The main church was a thirty-minute walk away. This area had a key customs post from 1815.
Neuville-en-Ferrain is twinned with two places. One is Offenbach an der Queich in Germany. This partnership began in 1992. It involves four German communes. They are about 600 km from Neuville-en-Ferrain. The town is also twinned with Keur Madiabel. This is a rural community in Senegal since 2002. Neuville-en-Ferrain also has a friendship charter. This is with Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines. That town is in Quebec, Canada.
Neuville-en-Ferrain is more than just a border town. It is a place with a long history. Its location has shaped its identity. Neuville-en-Ferrain offers a glimpse into French and Flemish life. It also looks to the future with its international connections.