On January 1, 2006, Viroinval had a total population of 5,680. The total area is 120.90 km2 which gives a population density of 47 inhabitants per km2.
The municipality consists of the following districts: Dourbes, Mazée, Le Mesnil, Nismes, Oignies-en-Thiérache, Olloy-sur-Viroin, Treignes, Vierves-sur-Viroin.
The name Viroinval, Viroin (River) Valley, was chosen for the municipality that was formed by fusing eight villages, in 1977.[2]
Dourbes
Nismes
Olloy-sur-Viroin
Treignes
Vierves-sur-Viroin
Attractions
Monument for the geographical centre of the EU until its May 2004 expansion
From 1995 to 2004, Viroinval was the location of the geographical centre of the European Union, at coordinates 50°00′33″N 4°39′59″E / 50.00917°N 4.66639°E / 50.00917; 4.66639 (Geographical centre of the European Union (15 members)) in Oignies-en-Thiérache, and a monument there records that finding. On May 1, 2004, the EU expanded from fifteen states to twenty-five, and the geographical centre of the union moved eastwards to the village of Kleinmaischeid, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. On 1 January 2007 it shifted even further south-eastwards.
The tourist steam train line Mariembourg–Treignes has most of its stations in villages of Viroinval: Nismes, Olloy-sur-Viroin, Vierves-sur-Viroin, and Treignes.[3] The latter village has a relevant museum.[4]
References
^"Wettelijke Bevolking per gemeente op 1 januari 2018". Statbel. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
^"Viroinval" (in French). Viroinval municipality. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
^"Trois Vallées – Chemin de fer touristique" (in French). Viroinval municipality. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
^"Musée du Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des Trois Vallées" (in French). Viroinval municipality. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viroinval.
Official Website of the municipality
The former Centre of the European Union
Awarded "EDEN - European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2009
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