Bapaume

from bat-paume. a legend says that it comes from applause: in the past, around the city, there was a vast forest, the forest of Arrouaise. it was infested with brigands including Bérenger. travelers who arrived in Bapaume without being robbed were applauded by inhabitants from the top of the ramparts: bat-paume, bapalmes, bappaume, then bapaume. according to the book 'Names of towns and villages' by Éric Vial, the origin is indeed bat-paume, but it is not related to applause.