Saint-Avold (French pronunciation: [sɛ̃.t‿avɔld]; German: Sankt Avold; Lorraine Franconian: Sänt Avuur) is a commune in the Moselle department in Grand Est in north-eastern France.[3]

Saint-Avold
Eastern end of Abbey of Saint-Nabor
Eastern end of Abbey of Saint-Nabor
Coat of arms of Saint-Avold
Location of Saint-Avold
Map
Saint-Avold is located in France
Saint-Avold
Saint-Avold
Saint-Avold is located in Grand Est
Saint-Avold
Saint-Avold
Coordinates: 49°06′16″N 6°42′24″E / 49.10444°N 6.70667°E / 49.10444; 6.70667
CountryFrance
RegionGrand Est
DepartmentMoselle
ArrondissementForbach-Boulay-Moselle
CantonSaint-Avold
IntercommunalityCA Saint-Avold Synergie
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) René Steiner[1]
Area
1
35.48 km2 (13.70 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[2]
15,045
 • Density420/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code
57606 /57500
Elevation215–383 m (705–1,257 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

It is situated twenty-eight miles (45 km) east of Metz, France and seventeen miles (27 km) southwest of Saarbrücken, Germany.

History

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The Saint-Avold area has frequently suffered invasions and since the nineteenth century has been controlled alternately by German and French authorities.

The original Abbey of Saint Nabor began as an oratory for a sixth-century monastery. Gradually a complex developed after it received the relics of Saint Nabor, and the church was rebuilt in the eighteenth century, in part following Baroque style. It was designated as a basilica.

During the French Revolution, the monastery and church suffered extensive damage; the cloisters were destroyed. The ancient parish church was sacrificed in exchange for keeping Saint Nabor. The abbey also suffered bombing damage during World War II, but much of the church has been restored.

The Saint-Avold Synagogue is a Jewish synagogue near Place Paul-Collin. The current synagogue building, completed in 1956, replaces a nearby synagogue which was also destroyed during World War II.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1968 16,280—    
1975 17,955+1.41%
1982 16,485−1.21%
1990 16,533+0.04%
1999 16,922+0.26%
2007 16,611−0.23%
2012 16,349−0.32%
2017 15,483−1.08%
Source: INSEE[4]

Lorraine American Cemetery

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Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint-Avold

Just north of the town is the site of Europe's largest United States' World War II military cemetery, the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, with the graves of 10,489 American soldiers who died during World War II. Most of the men were killed during the United States' drive to expel German forces from the fortress city of Metz toward the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. The soldiers were mostly from the U.S. Seventh Army's Infantry and Armored divisions and its cavalry groups.[5]

Climate

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Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb" (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).[6]

Climate data for Saint-Avold
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4
(39)
6
(42)
11
(52)
15
(59)
19
(67)
22
(72)
24
(76)
24
(75)
21
(69)
15
(59)
9
(48)
4
(40)
14
(58)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −2
(29)
−2
(29)
1
(34)
4
(40)
8
(46)
11
(52)
13
(55)
13
(55)
10
(50)
6
(42)
2
(36)
−1
(31)
6
(42)
Average precipitation cm (inches) 5.1
(2)
4.1
(1.6)
4.8
(1.9)
4.6
(1.8)
5.1
(2)
5.8
(2.3)
6.9
(2.7)
6.4
(2.5)
5.6
(2.2)
6.6
(2.6)
6.1
(2.4)
6.4
(2.5)
67
(26.4)
Source: Weatherbase [7]

Sister cities

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Notable people

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See also

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Sister city

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Saint-Avold has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:

References

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  1. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires". data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises (in French). 2 December 2020.
  2. ^ "Populations légales 2021" (in French). The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ INSEE commune file
  4. ^ Population en historique depuis 1968, INSEE
  5. ^ "Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial", American Battle Monument Commission
  6. ^ Climate Summary for Saint-Avold, France
  7. ^ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on July 6, 2013.
  8. ^ "Interactive City Directory". Sister Cities International. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
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