# Aboncourt

> commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q668451](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q668451)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboncourt,_Meurthe-et-Moselle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/aboncourt-q668451

## Summary

Aboncourt is a commune located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.358°N latitude and 5.967°E longitude, it belongs to the arrondissement of Toul and the canton of Colombey-les-Belles. As a French commune, Aboncourt serves as a territorial subdivision within the French administrative system, representing one of the smallest units of local government in France.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Aboncourt is situated in northeastern France, in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of the Grand Est region
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Toul
- **Canton**: Colombey-les-Belles
- **Department**: Meurthe-et-Moselle (established September 7, 1871)
- **Former Department**: Meurthe (established March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.358055555556°N, Longitude 5.9669444444444°E
- **Commune Type**: Territorial subdivision of France (established circa 1789)
- **Website**: http://www.aboncourt.mairie54.fr
- **Population Range**: 90 to 137 residents (based on recorded figures)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Aboncourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

## FAQs

**What region and department is Aboncourt located in?**

Aboncourt is located in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, specifically within the Meurthe-et-Moselle department. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Toul and the canton of Colombey-les-Belles.

**What type of administrative area is Aboncourt?**

Aboncourt is classified as a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system was established around 1789 following the French Revolution, providing local administrative autonomy to towns and villages.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Aboncourt?**

Aboncourt is situated at latitude 48.358055555556 degrees north and longitude 5.9669444444444 degrees east, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the border with Luxembourg and Germany.

**What is the historical background of Meurthe-et-Moselle department?**

The Meurthe-et-Moselle department was established on September 7, 1871, following the Franco-Prussian War. It was formed from parts of the former Meurthe department, which had existed since March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French administrative divisions after the Revolution.

**How can I find more information about Aboncourt's local government?**

The official website for Aboncourt's local municipality is http://www.aboncourt.mairie54.fr, where residents and visitors can access information about local services, administrative procedures, and community matters.

## Why It Matters

Aboncourt represents the foundational unit of local governance in France, embodying the country's decentralized administrative structure. As one of approximately 34,000 communes in France, it plays a crucial role in delivering public services, maintaining local infrastructure, and representing the interests of its residents at the municipal level. The commune system in France, which dates back to the Revolution, ensures that even small communities have a dedicated local government structure, allowing for direct citizen participation in local affairs.

The commune's location in Meurthe-et-Moselle places it in a historically significant region of northeastern France. This area has been shaped by centuries of European history, including conflicts between France and German-speaking states, the industrial revolution, and more recently, European integration. Understanding Aboncourt provides insight into how France manages its territorial organization and maintains connection between national governance and local communities.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Structure**: Represents the smallest unit of local government in France's administrative hierarchy
- **Historical Department**: Part of Meurthe-et-Moselle, a department created in 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War
- **Regional Identity**: Located in the Grand Est region, one of France's 18 administrative regions
- **Cantonal Affiliation**: Part of the canton of Colombey-les-Belles, organizing local electoral representation

## Body

### Geography and Location

Aboncourt is positioned in northeastern France within the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, which is part of the Grand Est administrative region. The commune sits at coordinates 48.358055555556 degrees north latitude and 5.9669444444444 degrees east longitude. This location places Aboncourt in a region characterized by rolling hills and agricultural land, relatively close to the borders with Luxembourg and Germany. The area benefits from proximity to larger urban centers while maintaining its rural character as a small commune.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Aboncourt operates as a territorial subdivision within the French administrative system. The commune system in France was established during the French Revolution, specifically around 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Each commune has its own municipal government, headed by a mayor and municipal council, responsible for local services including urban planning, civil registration, local taxation, and maintenance of public spaces and roads.

Aboncourt belongs to the arrondissement of Toul, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the commune. The arrondissement of Toul is one of several arrondissements within Meurthe-et-Moselle, providing a framework for coordinating state services and administrative functions at a sub-departmental level.

### Cantonal Organization

The commune is part of the canton of Colombey-les-Belles, which serves as a constituency for elections to the departmental council. The canton system in France allows for the organization of elections and representation at the departmental level, with each canton represented by advisors elected by proportional representation. The canton of Colombey-les-Belles encompasses several communes in the region, providing a framework for local democratic representation beyond the municipal level.

### Departmental Context

Aboncourt is located within the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, which was officially established on September 7, 1871. This department was created following the Franco-Prussian War, when France lost the territories of Alsace and part of Lorraine to the German Empire. The new department was formed from portions of the former Meurthe department, with the Moselle river serving as part of the new departmental boundary. The department's creation reflects the complex historical interactions between France and German-speaking Europe.

The former department of Meurthe, from which Meurthe-et-Moselle was partially formed, had existed since March 4, 1790, during the initial administrative reorganization following the French Revolution. This historical context gives the region a distinct identity shaped by both French and broader European historical processes.

### Regional Context

The commune belongs to the Grand Est region, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of the former Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine regions. This large eastern region of France encompasses diverse landscapes, from the vineyards of Champagne to the Vosges mountains, and from the plains of Champagne to the forested areas of Lorraine. The region has historically served as a crossroads between France, Germany, and other parts of Western Europe.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for Aboncourt are provided as a range from 90 to 137 residents, these numbers indicate a small rural commune typical of the agricultural regions of northeastern France. French communes vary dramatically in population, from small rural villages like Aboncourt to major urban centers like Paris. The commune's modest population places it among the smaller administrative units in the country, reflecting the rural character of parts of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department.

### Local Government and Services

As the smallest unit of local government in France, the commune of Aboncourt maintains its own municipal administration. The official municipal website, http://www.aboncourt.mairie54.fr, provides information about local services, administrative procedures, and community matters. The ".mairie54" domain extension indicates the commune's affiliation with Meurthe-et-Moselle (department code 54), demonstrating the systematic organization of French local government websites.

### Historical Significance

The commune system in France represents one of the oldest forms of local government organization in the world, with roots extending back to the late 18th century. The French Revolution of 1789 fundamentally transformed the administrative organization of France, replacing the ancient regime's complex hierarchy of provinces, parishes, and jurisdictions with a uniform system of departments, arrondissements, cantons, and communes. This system was designed to promote equality, centralization, and rational administration throughout the national territory.

### Relationship to Broader Administrative Framework

Aboncourt exists within a hierarchical administrative structure that includes the commune, canton, arrondissement, department, region, and nation. This multi-layered system allows for both local autonomy and national coordination. The commune handles matters directly affecting local residents, while higher levels of administration manage regional planning, departmental services, and national policy implementation. This structure reflects the French approach to balancing local needs with national cohesion.

### Cultural and Historical Context

The Meurthe-et-Moselle department and the broader Lorraine region have a rich history shaped by their position between French and German cultural spheres. The region has experienced multiple changes in national affiliation over the centuries, particularly during the conflicts between France and the German states. The department's current boundaries date from 1871, reflecting the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War and the subsequent redrawing of France's eastern frontier. This historical context gives the region a distinctive cross-cultural character and explains the importance of local administrative structures in maintaining French identity in this border region.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. répertoire géographique des communes
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
11. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)