Carvin

Carvin is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.

Geography

An ex-coalmining commune, now a light industrial and farming town, situated some 14 miles (22.5 km) northeast of Lens, completely encircled by the N17 and D919 ring road.

History

Major excavations have recently revealed occupation going back to Neolithic times. This settlement is linked to the existence of the vast wet depression around the now-disappeared castle of Epinoy. In the early 12th century, the hamlet of Épinoy, now the east part of the commune, was the home of the hermit Saint Druon of Sebourg.

The history of this market town, located on the road between Arras, Lille and Tournai, was then marked by coalmining, starting in the mid-nineteenth century and ending in 1975. One of the smaller mining companies had its headquarters in Carvin. At nationalization, the pits and mining facilities were consolidated within the Oignies group.

During World War I, from October 1914 to October 1918, Carvin was occupied by the Germans. Located at the rear of the front as a garrison town for both German military and civilians. The bodies of over 6,000 soldiers are laid to rest in one of the largest German cemeteries in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region.

Carvin (disambiguation)

Carvin may refer to the following:

Places

People

Companies