Essoir

Essoir is a commune located in the Oise department of the Hauts‑de‑France region in northern France. It falls within the administrative jurisdiction of the Arrondissement of Beauvais and the Canton of Beauvais-2. Geographically the village covers an area of approximately 4.4 square kilometres and is situated about 12 kilometres southeast of the departmental capital, Beauvais. The elevation of Essoir ranges from 52 metres to 128 metres above sea level, with a predominant landscape of gently rolling farmland and patches of woodland.

According to the most recent national census of 2017, Essoir had a population of around 1,200 residents, giving it a population density of roughly 270 inhabitants per square kilometre. The demographic profile is typical of rural French communes, with a mix of agricultural families, retirees, and a small workforce engaged in local industry and services. The local economy is largely based on dairy farming, crop cultivation, and small‑scale artisanal production, complemented by a modest tourism sector linked to the commune’s historical and natural sites.

Historically, Essoir dates back to the medieval era, with the earliest documented mention in a 12th‑century charter referring to the settlement as a small agrarian community under the authority of the Bishop of Beauvais. The village’s most prominent landmark is the Church of Saint‑Martin, a Romanesque structure rebuilt in the 18th century following a fire, and listed as a monument historique in 1987. The war memorial in the town square commemorates the local men who perished during the First and Second World Wars.

Today, Essoir maintains a collaborative relationship with neighbouring communes on inter‑communal projects such as waste management and regional transportation. The mayoral office and municipal council, elected under the French municipal election system, oversee local administration, schooling, and maintenance of communal infrastructure. The community hosts annual cultural events, including a summer market and a midsummer festival, which draw visitors from the surrounding region and help sustain the village’s social fabric.