Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in the region of Normandy.
Although it is the second largest city of Manche after Cherbourg, it remains the prefecture of the department. It is also chef-lieu of an arrondissement and two cantons. The placename derives from that of a local saint, Laud of Coutances.
The commune has 18,931 inhabitants who are called Saint-Lois. The names of Laudois, Laudiens or Laudiniens are also cited. A martyr city of World War II, Saint-Lô was decorated with the Legion of Honour in 1948 and was given the nickname "Capital of the Ruins", a phrase popularised by Samuel Beckett.
Although it is the second largest city of Manche after Cherbourg, it remains the prefecture of the department. It is also chef-lieu of an arrondissement and two cantons. The placename derives from that of a local saint, Laud of Coutances.
The commune has 18,931 inhabitants who are called Saint-Lois. The names of Laudois, Laudiens or Laudiniens are also cited. A martyr city of World War II, Saint-Lô was decorated with the Legion of Honour in 1948 and was given the nickname "Capital of the Ruins", a phrase popularised by Samuel Beckett.
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