Balan, Ardennes

Balan is a commune in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of northern France.

The commune has been awarded three flowers by the National Council of Towns and Villages in Bloom in the Competition of cities and villages in Bloom.

Geography
Balan is located just east of Sedan and north-east of Bazeilles. Access to the commune is by the D8043A road from Sedan which continues south-east to Bazeilles. The D17 also passes through the town and continues east to Rubécourt-et-Lamécourt. The Route nationale N43 (E46) highway passes through the commune with the nearest exit being Exit just south-east of the commune. Much of the central area of the commune is urban with the northern part farmland and some forest.

The Meuse river forms the south-western border of the commune as it flows north through Sedan.

History
From 1560 to 1642 Balan was part of the Principality of Sedan.

Administration
List of Successive Mayors


 * Mayors from 1995

Demography
The inhabitants of the commune are known as Balanais or Balanaises in French.

Civil heritage
The commune has several buildings and sites that are registered as historical monuments:
 * The Bonhomme Spinning Mill (Now a Community Hall) (19th century)
 * The Godchaux Weaving Mill (Now a Warehouse) (20th century)
 * The Stackler Textile Works (Now a Business incubator) (19th century)
 * The Bazaille Chard Plant (1906)

Notable people linked to the commune

 * Jean-Baptiste Herbin-Dessaux (1765-1832): French General of the Revolution and the Empire, died at Balan.
 * Élisabeth Lion (1904-1988), French aviator, born at Balan.