|
|
In 1862, it was made-up for the crossing of the railway, later for the road (today the RN 51). |
Its construction needed 3000 workers, 2000 infantrymen and 3000 horsemen because its walls had been built during military actions. |
- According to De Marsilly, it is a term
of the local patois refering to the floating wood convois which went down the Meuse : The "Givées".
- For the Reverend father Don Thierry of Rejalot, Givet could come from the name of an merovingien establishment settled on a bank of the Meuse and used as a toll during the crossing of merchandises.
At the time, the taxe taken was called "Gablum", it became Gabelium, Givelium, Givetium, and finally, at the XVth century, GIVET.
- In 1898, the Doctor BEUGNIES discovered a small human skeleton (1m 54) in the NICHET CAVES (In FROMELENNES, 5 km from GIVET).
From the prehistorical era, this skeleton belong to a member of the "FURFOOZ" race.
Charles Quint, wishing to protect ardently this crossing of the Meuse, made Marie of Hungary buy the domain of Agimont - Givet.
The same year, he made built the fortress of Charlemont. This fortress governed the life of the city. Today, Charlemont has found again its military vocation, it accomodates into its enclosure the Commando Training Centre of the 9th Zouaves
 Engraving of 17th century - Departemental archives. |
Vauban amplified and improved the defenses of Givet and Charlemont. Today, the city is totaly surrounded by a fortified enclosure "in the Vauban manner".
The Emperor NAPOLEON BONAPARTE visited GIVET, the Meuse was in spite and english prisonners helped him to cross the river. NAPOLEON decided the fast construction of a bridge. The English prisonners were pardonned by the Emperor.
ARDENNE WALLONNE
Cercle d'histoire régionale de la Pointe de Givet & terres limitrophes.
Set of regional history of the tip of Givet and bordering countries.
Site realized by Jean-Marie Biadatti
(Only in French version)
