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People

The number of inhabitants has changed over time due to events and industrial evolution. The population was over 3,000 in the 19th century, and today it is just over 2,300.

Scholars in the 18th century described the rural people of Picardy as being brave and faithful to their land. They suffered several attacks and wars, especially in the 17th century. The Vignacourt church had been destroyed many times and was always rebuilt thanks to the will of its citizens. A British World War I soldier described the locals as friendly and helpful.

Monikers

Assigning some monikers to the people of the villages was a common practice in rural France. Some of these names survived somewhat, while others disappeared.

The fancy name attributed to the inhabitants is the little white rabbits, which refers to the merchants who sold rabbits.

Smugglers

Vignacourt has long been called a smuggling country owing to the illegal salt and tobacco trade, although it wasn't the only one to do this in the area. This does not date from the war but from before the revolution.

Salt was a major commodity because it served to preserve food. A tax on salt was introduced in the Middle Ages and even before. The Gabellers were in charge of suppressing the illegal salt trade.

Some people were engaged in the trade of "Chasse-marée" (fishmonger-seafood trade) and also smuggled. They could obtain salt or tobacco quite easily and sell them at a better price. Some villagers were condemned, such as Mr. Louis Noye and Mr. Louis Noiret, in 1748.

Globe's coffee shop.