This isn't an administrative oversight, but rather a deliberate decision to create a memorial to villages destroyed in World War I. All six towns are in north east France along the Verdun river and were all destroyed in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of 1918, although most civilians had fled the area long before as fighting raged. France's other 'memorial village' is Oradour-sur-Glane down in south west France. This thriving community was home to around 600 people until in 1944 a squadron of SS soldiers massacred all the inhabitants and set the place on fire. It does not have a mayor, but a new village was built close by for anyone from the local area who survived and who wanted to return.

Source: The Local December 09, 2019 06:56 UTC