MONTREUIL-SUR-MER

'Montreuil-sur-Mer' (officially ''Montreuil'') is a ''sous-préfecture'' of northern France, in the ''département'' of Pas-de-Calais. It is located on the Canche river, not far from Étaples. The ''Mer'' (French for "Sea"), however, is now some distance away.

Contents

Sights

Demographics

Literary

Twinned Cities

External link

Sights

It is surrounded by mediaeval ramparts, part of the reinforcement work of the famed French military engineer Vauban in his fortification of Northern France in the 17th Century.

Demographics

Population (1999): 2,688 inhabitants for the city, 21,603 inhabitants for the canton and 99,288 inhabitants for the arrondissement. This one comprises 7 cantons (list).

Literary

Montreuil was the setting for much of the early part of Victor Hugo's novel ''Les Misérables''. The novel's protagonist, Jean Valjean, served as mayor of the city. The city was the setting for much of the early conflict between Valjean and the novel's antagonist, Javert. It was also Fantine's hometown.

Twinned Cities

The city is twinned with Slough, England

External link

★ Montreuil-sur-Mer official website (in French)