ORIGNY-EN-THIÉRACHE

The small, quiet village of Les Routières is a stone's throw from Origny-en-Thiérache, which has several shops (bakery, pharmacist, grocer, post office...).

In the 19th and 20th centuries it was the center of the “vannerie fine” (fine basket weaving). It was a traditional activity carried on throughout the region around Origny, due to the natural presence of wicker willows on the banks of the Oise and Ton. In Origny one can still discover many old warehouses and director villas that refer to its basket weaving past. At the beginning of the 20th century, almost all Origny residents worked in the basketry: from growing the willow to manufacturing objects for sale. The arrival of the plastic, the use of cardboard and boxes, caused the final decline. The imposing town hall reflects the importance of Origny's basketry past.

The most famous resident of Origny-en-Thiérache is undoubtedly
Monsignor Pigneau de Behaine, born in 1741, and appointed as missionar south of present-day Vietnam (called by the French Cochin-China) to train priests there. He became bishop of Adran in 1770.

Click here for photos of Origny-en-Thiérache

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