Oudfrans

Oudfrans is a village in the Netherlands, located in the province of North Holland. It is part of the municipality of Schagen and lies roughly 35 kilometers northwest of Amsterdam, close to the North Sea coast. The settlement is characterized by a compact village center surrounded by fields and small woodland patches, with a network of dikes and canals typical of the region.

History: Oudfrans traces its origins to the 12th century, when a farming community developed near a ford on a local canal. The name is believed to derive from a family or estate named Frans; "Oud" distinguishes the early settlement from a later one called Nieuwfrans not far away. The village grew modestly through the Middle Ages and into the early modern period, with a church and a few farms forming the core of the settlement.

Today: The population is around several thousand residents. The local economy remains predominantly agricultural, with dairy farming and bulb cultivation, supplemented by small-scale crafts and some tourism. The village preserves several historic features, including a 15th‑century church, a windmill monument and a number of traditional gabled farmhouses.

Infrastructure: Oudfrans is served by regional bus lines that connect to larger towns. The nearest railway station is in Alkmaar, about 15–20 minutes by car. Education is provided by a primary school in the village; older students travel to nearby towns for secondary education.

Culture: The village hosts the annual Fransmarkt, a harvest fair featuring a market, music and traditional foods. Local archives document generations of farming families and a small but active community life.

Notable people: No widely known figures are associated with Oudfrans; its history is chiefly documented through parish and municipal records.