Audinghen
Audinghen is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France.
Geography
A farming commune, comprising several hamlets, some north of Boulogne-sur-Mer, at the junction of the D940 and the D191 roads. Cap Gris-Nez, the nearest part of France to the English coast, forms the western boundary of the commune.History
The town was originally named Odingehem, 'home of Odin', by the Vikings who built a temple here dedicated to the Germanic god Odin. Audinghen has been rebuilt several times after being completely destroyed, including:- In 1643 or 1644, according to the interpretations, by a party of soldiers of the King of England, who burned the village population inside the church;
- Three centuries later, in November 1943, by the British, who bombed and totally destroyed the village and a centre for Organisation Todt.
Population
Sights
- The church of St. Pierre, dating from the twentieth century.
- The ruins of the lighthouse at Cap Gris Nez.
- World War II German defences, part of the Atlantic wall.
Personalities
- Gabriel Auguste Ferdinand Ducuing, soldier who died here in 1940.
- Raoul de Godewaersvelde, composer, died here in 1977.