Soissons

The city of Soissons in the Aisne département, Picardie, France on the Aisne River is about 60 miles northeast of Paris and is one of the most ancient cities of France. Population (1999): 30,672.

Originally part of the territory of Neustria, the Soissons region, and the Abbey of Saint-Médard, built in the 8th century, played an important political part during the rule of the Merovingian kings (A.D. 447-751). After the death of Clovis I in 511, Soissons was made the capital of one of the four kingdoms into which his states were divided. Eventually, the kingdom of Soissons disappeared in 613 when the Frankish lands were amalgamated under Clotaire II. Over the centuries, the area changed hands several times between France and Prussia.

Today, Soissons is a commercial and manufacturing center with the 12th century cathedral of Saint-Gervais et Saint-Protais de Soissons and Saint Jean Des Vignes Abbey as one of its most important historical buildings.

Soissons is the birth place of:

• Aurore Clément (born 1945), actress

See also:

• Franks
• List of Frankish Kings
• Merovingians
• History of France