# Fourmies, Nord

Fourmies (French pronunciation:) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. The inhabitants are called Fourmisiens. It lies on the river Helpe Mineure (Helpe Minor or Little Helpe). Since 2015, Fourmies has been the seat of the Canton of Fourmies, an administrative division of the Nord department. The canton was created at the French canton reorganization which came into effect in March 2015.

## Geography

Fourmies is situated in the Euroregion of Thiérache, a region of Northern France and Southern Belgium. It is 50 km (31 mi) from Valenciennes, 100 km (62 mi) from Lille, and 175 km (109 mi) from Paris. The city is surrounded by forests and ponds.

## History

Roman coins have been discovered in Fourmies. In the 11th century, the town was first mentioned under the name "Formeias", which may refer to the swamp area in the valley of the river Helpe Mineure. Since the 12th century, the village has been called Formies, Furmies, Formies, Formiis and Fourmies. At one time it was property of the Avesnes family, and the Liessies Abbey.
Glassworks were created in Fourmies in 1599. They were the first established in northern France.
On 1 May 1891 the Fusillade de Fourmies occurred. It was the first French and international celebration of International Workers' Day on May Day. In Fourmies, troops shot at peaceful strikers: nine died, including eight demonstrators under 21 years old, among whom a young worker who will remain a symbol, Marie Blondeau. Thirty-five strikers were also wounded.
The shooting of 1 May in Fourmies evoked strong emotions in France. It is regarded today as one of the founding events of the French Section of the Workers' International. Jean Jaurès visited Fourmies afterwards to make a speech there while Georges Clemenceau declared in front of the French Parliament that "it is the Fourth estate which rose" (« c'est le Quatrième état qui s'est levé ». ).

### Fusillade de Fourmies

On May 1, 1891, a shooting occurred in the French Nord department. Government troops fired upon a peaceful demonstration of workers claiming "C'est les huit heures qu'il nous faut !" (it's the eight-hour day we need), killing nine people and injuring 35 others.

### Heraldry

| Arms of Fourmies | The arms of Fourmies are blazoned : Gules, 3 fesses argent (Croÿ) dimidiated with Bendy Or and gules (Avesnes) |

## Events

* Every year, since 1928, the city hosts the Grand Prix de Fourmies, a professional cycle race.
* The music festival (fête de la musique)
* The traditional fun fair (traditionnelle fête foraine) attracts many people each summer.

## Economy

Medtronic has an assembly plant in Fourmies.

## Transportation

Fourmies is on the rail line between Lille and Hirson. The SNCF station (Gare de Formies) is served by the TER Nord-Pas-de-Calais.
It is planned to be crossed by the Trans-European Cycle Route Paris-Moscow knowns as EV3 The Pilgrims Route.
The Arc-en-Ciel (réseau interurbain du Nord) interurban departmental network in Hauts de France Nord provides bus service to the city of Fourmies in the 4 region (lines 402 express, 402, 433, 438 and 439).

## Twin towns – sister cities

Fourmies is twinned with:
* Fridley, United States (1978)
* Bernburg, Germany (1967)