Attilly is a commune in the department of Aisne in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. Inhabitants of the commune are traditionally referred to as "les Gens d'Attilly," or "the People of Attilly." For over 20 years, residents have debated whether their demonym should be Attillois or Attilliens; however, the Habitants website of French demonyms states that it should be Attilliens or Attilliennes
Geography
Attilly is located 5 km west of Saint-Quentin just north of the A29 autoroute which passes through the south-western corner of the commune. It can be accessed by several roads: the D73 from Beauvois-en-Vermandois in the south-west to Villeveque, the D733 from Etreillers in the south going north-west to Villeveque, the D33 going north from Etreillers to Attilly village and continuing north to Marteville and Vermand, the D73 from the D1029 in the north to Marteville, and the D686 from Holnon in the east to the village. There are three villages and hamlets in the commune:
Attilly in the centre with the town hall, the school, the festival hall, the church, the train station, 25 cafes, and a water tower
Marteville in the north with its cemetery, railway station, castle is located next to the village of Vermand
Much of the commune is farmland however it is partly surrounded by the Forests of Holnon and Attilly. The Omignon river passes along and forms the north-western border of the commune through Marteville and Villevèque.
Neighbouring communes and villages
History
The name Attilly is derived from a word translated as "overlooking the water" and probably owes its name to its position atop a hill. The origin of the name Attilly therefore probably dates back to a Roman villa. However, the region has been inhabited for much longer. Charles Poette wrote a history at the beginning of the 20th century. The village was destroyed during the First World War: only a single wall was still standing at the end of the conflict on the Rue du Prozet.
A Calvaryon the road between Attilly and Marteville, another between Attilly and Holnon, and another on the road to Etreillers. There is also one at the entrance to the village from the Attilly forest which is located facing the road to Vermand not far from the church
A Calvary or Wayside Cross on the dirt road towards Etreillers after the water tower at the top of the village.
A Tomb on the road to Etreillers
The Place Verte located on the old Roman road between Holnon and Vermand
The ruins of a Chapel in the middle of Attilly forest where there was an old village abandoned after the First World War
The Place du Sar where 14 July is celebrated and where the hall is built
A Dovecote''' next to the Rue de l'Eglise.
Picture Gallery
Culture
The language spoken in Attilly is still a Picard dialect.
