Raismes

Raismes is a commune with 12,687 (as of 1 January 2011) inhabitants. It is located six kilometers north of Valenciennes in the Nord, in the Nord -Pas -de -Calais.

The town and its surroundings are dominated by mining. The pit No. 2 of the Compagnie des Mines d' Anzin is a protected monument ( Monument historique ). Raismes shared with the municipalities of Saint -Amand and Wallers the Forêt de Raismes -Saint -Amand- Wallers, which is used as a recreational area and on the south side of a 100 m high tailings dam is located. In this forest was of 1139 to its demolition in 1818 the Premonstratensian Abbey Abbaye de Vicogne. Beginning in May 1793 found in the area around Raimes during the French Revolutionary Wars, battles between French and Austrian troops held, in which the General Auguste Picot de Dampierre was so badly wounded that he died shortly afterwards in Valenciennes.

Traffic

Raimes is located at exit 6 of the A23 motorway.

Trains of the TER Nord-Pas -de- Calais connect with Raimes Valencienes and Douai.

From 1 January 1881 to January 5, 1964 for Raimes was to reach by tram from Valenciennes. Links to the new tram opened in 2006, Valenciennes is planned.

Events

• Since 1998 will be held on the second weekend in September, the Raimesfest a heavy metal music festival in Raimes instead.

Notable people

• Pierre Pruvost, French geologist, was born in Raismes.

Twinning

• Eisleben, Saxony- Anhalt, since 1962.