Puidul

Puidul is a village in the northern Valen region, within the municipality of Northshore. It lies along the Puidul River, a tributary of the Valen watershed, and is surrounded by mixed deciduous forest and cultivated fields. The settlement covers about 6.2 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of roughly 120 meters.

The name Puidul derives from the local language, where pu- relates to wood and dul to valley, commonly interpreted as "pine valley" or "wooded valley." The toponym appears in regional records dating to the 14th century.

Puidul developed as a timber outpost in the medieval period, expanding into a small trading village by the 15th century. It remained agrarian and forest-based through early modern times, growing after the construction of a regional road in the 19th century. The village faced population decline mid-20th century but stabilized with modernization.

Today the local economy centers on forestry, carpentry, and small-scale agriculture. A village cooperative runs a sawmill and a weekly market. As of the latest census, Puidul has about 420 residents, with an older demographic but a small inflow of young families.

Puidul hosts an annual Harvest and Wood Festival celebrating regional crafts, music, and traditions. Notable landmarks include the Old Mill, a timber-framed bridge across the Puidul River, and a parish church dating from the 18th century.

The village is governed by a local council and a mayor within the Northshore district. Public services include a primary school, a library, and a health outpost. It is connected by a regional road and a minor railway halt.