# Achenheim > commune in Bas-Rhin, France **Wikidata**: [Q22784](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22784) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achenheim) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/achenheim ## Summary Achenheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France, situated approximately 12 kilometers west of Strasbourg. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Strasbourg and is part of the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, a metropolitan area that fosters cross-border cooperation. With a population of approximately 2,637 residents, Achenheim represents a small but historically significant municipality in the Alsace area, which has experienced shifting national affiliations between France and Germany throughout its history. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Achenheim lies in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of France - **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 48.581111111111°, Longitude 7.6269444444444° - **Administrative Affiliation**: Part of the arrondissement of Strasbourg (since January 1, 2015) - **Historical Administrative Context**: Previously belonged to the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne (1800-1879 and 1919-2015) - **Metropolitan Structure**: Member of the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg (established December 31, 1966) - **Historical Regional Context**: Part of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), the central district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 - **Country**: France (country code ) - **Administrative Division Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, established December 1789) - **Population**: Approximately 2,637 residents (based on available census data) - **Website**: http://www.achenheim.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: Achenheim - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France - **Sitelink Count**: 50 ## FAQs **What region and department is Achenheim located in?** Achenheim is situated in the Alsace region of northeastern France, specifically in the Bas-Rhin department. The commune is located approximately 12 kilometers west of Strasbourg, the regional capital. Alsace is known for its distinctive bilingual (French and German) culture, its historical ties to both France and Germany, and its unique architectural heritage. **What is Achenheim's administrative structure?** Achenheim is classified as a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Strasbourg, a designation it has held since January 1, 2015. Prior to this administrative reorganization, Achenheim belonged to the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne from 1800 to 1879 and again from 1919 to 2015. The commune is also a member of the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, an intercommunal structure fostering metropolitan cooperation. **What is the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg?** The Eurometropolis of Strasbourg is a French urban community that was established on December 31, 1966. Headquartered in Strasbourg, this metropolitan structure coordinates economic, social, and cultural development across the Strasbourg metropolitan area. The Eurometropolis represents a significant framework for regional cooperation and planning in the Alsace region. **What is the historical context of Achenheim's region?** Achenheim's region, known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire from May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918. This historical period saw the Alsace region shift from French to German control following the Franco-Prussian War. The region returned to French administration after the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, though it retained strong cultural and linguistic ties to German-speaking traditions. **What are Achenheim's geographic coordinates?** Achenheim is located at latitude 48.581111111111° and longitude 7.6269444444444°. This positions the commune in the eastern part of France, near the German border, in the Rhine valley plain that characterizes much of the Alsace region. ## Why It Matters Achenheim matters as a representative example of the small communes that form the backbone of French territorial organization. While modest in population, the commune embodies the complex historical and cultural dynamics of the Alsace region, which has been contested between French and German influence for centuries. The commune's membership in the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg connects it to a significant metropolitan area that serves as a center of European institutions, including the European Parliament's seat in Strasbourg. The administrative history of Achenheim, particularly its placement within different arrondissements over time, reflects the broader patterns of French administrative reorganization that have aimed to optimize local governance. Its transition from the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne to the arrondissement of Strasbourg in 2015 exemplifies the contemporary consolidation of administrative structures in France. Furthermore, Achenheim represents the preservation of local identity and community in a region that has experienced significant political transformations. The commune's website (http://www.achenheim.fr) indicates ongoing local governance and civic engagement, demonstrating that even small municipalities maintain active administrative presence in modern France. ## Notable For - **Historical Territorial Shifts**: Located in a region that transitioned between French and German control multiple times from 1871 to the present - **Metropolitan Integration**: Part of the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg, connecting the commune to a major European institutional center - **Administrative Continuity**: Maintained commune status since the French Revolution, representing over two centuries of continuous municipal organization - **Cross-Border Positioning**: Situated in the French department of Bas-Rhin, which shares a border with Germany, placing Achenheim in a region of significant European integration ## Body ### Geography and Location Achenheim is positioned at coordinates 48.581111111111° latitude and 7.6269444444444° longitude, placing it in the eastern part of France within the Alsace plain. The commune is located approximately 12 kilometers west of Strasbourg, the capital of the Grand Est region (of which Alsace is a constituent part). The geography of the area is characterized by the Rhine valley, a fertile plain that has historically supported agricultural activity and settlement. The commune lies within the Bas-Rhin department, one of two departments (along with Haut-Rhin) that comprise the historical region of Alsace. Bas-Rhin translates to "Lower Rhine" in English, referring to the lower course of the Rhine River that flows through the department. This positioning near the Rhine River has historically made the region a strategic corridor for movement between France and Germany. ### Administrative History Achenheim's administrative classification as a commune dates to December 1789, when France was reorganized into municipalities following the French Revolution. The commune system replaced the previous feudal divisions and established the fundamental unit of local government that persists in France today. The commune's placement within the arrondissement system has evolved over time. From 1800 to 1879, Achenheim was part of the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne. Following the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine by the German Empire in 1871, French administrative structures were naturally displaced in the annexed territories. After the region returned to French control following World War I, the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne was re-established and functioned from 1919 until December 31, 2014. On January 1, 2015, a significant administrative reorganization occurred when the arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne was dissolved and its communes were integrated into the newly reorganized arrondissement of Strasbourg. This change reflected broader trends in French administrative policy aimed at streamlining governance and consolidating resources. ### Regional Context: Alsace and Bas-Rhin Achenheim is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The department encompasses the northern portion of the historical Alsace region and is headquartered in Strasbourg. Bas-Rhin is one of the most densely populated departments in France, reflecting the economic vitality and historical significance of the Alsace corridor. The department is part of the larger Grand Est region, which was created in 2016 through the merger of the former Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine regions. This administrative reorganization was part of a broader French policy to reduce regional administrative costs and increase economic competitiveness. ### Metropolitan Integration Achenheim is a member of the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg (Métropole européenne de Strasbourg), an intercommunal structure established on December 31, 1966. The Eurometropolis coordinates development, transportation, economic planning, and social services across the Strasbourg metropolitan area. With headquarters in Strasbourg, this metropolitan body represents a significant framework for regional cooperation. The Eurometropolis of Strasbourg is particularly notable because Strasbourg hosts several European institutions, including the European Parliament (which holds its plenary sessions in Strasbourg), the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. This institutional presence gives the metropolitan area significant international importance beyond its French context. ### Historical Context: Unterelsaß and Alsace-Lorraine The region surrounding Achenheim has a complex historical identity. The commune is located in what was historically known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was the central district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. Following France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), the German Empire annexed Alsace-Lorraine on May 20, 1871. This annexation was formalized by the Treaty of Frankfurt and resulted in the region becoming part of the German Empire for nearly five decades. During this period, the region underwent significant Germanization policies, though many residents maintained French cultural and linguistic ties. After World War I, the Treaty of Versailles returned Alsace-Lorraine to France in 1919. The region then experienced a period of "refrancization" (re-Frenchification), which included the restoration of French administration, language, and educational systems. This historical experience created the distinctive cultural character of modern Alsace, where both French and German influences remain visible in architecture, dialect, cuisine, and local traditions. ### Demographics and Population Based on available data, Achenheim has a population of approximately 2,637 residents. While the specific year for this figure is not detailed in the source material, the population data indicates a commune of modest size typical of rural and semi-rural municipalities in the Alsace region. The commune represents the typical French pattern of small municipalities, with France having approximately 35,000 communes—more than any other country in the European Union. These communes maintain significant administrative autonomy despite their small size, handling local matters such as civil registration, local taxation, and municipal planning. ### Local Infrastructure and Services As a French commune, Achenheim maintains local governance through a municipal council and mayor. The commune operates a website at http://www.achenheim.fr, providing information to residents and the public about local services, administrative procedures, and community events. The commune's integration into the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg provides residents with access to metropolitan-level services including public transportation, economic development programs, and environmental planning. Strasbourg itself offers comprehensive services including universities, hospitals, cultural institutions, and international connections through its position as a seat of European institutions. ### Relationship to Connected Entities Achenheim's administrative position connects it to several levels of French governance: At the departmental level, it is part of Bas-Rhin, which provides prefectural services and coordinates departmental policies. At the regional level, it belongs to Grand Est, which handles broader regional planning and development. At the metropolitan level, the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg coordinates intra-metropolitan cooperation. At the national level, the commune operates under French law and the structures of the French Republic. The historical connection to Unterelsaß represents the commune's place in a complex historical territory that no longer exists in its imperial German form but whose cultural legacy continues to influence the region's identity. ### Summary of Administrative Relationships - **Country**: France - **Department**: Bas-Rhin (established March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Strasbourg (since January 1, 2015; previously Strasbourg-Campagne 1800-1879 and 1919-2015) - **Metropolitan Area**: Eurometropolis of Strasbourg (since December 31, 1966) - **Historical Region**: Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) within Alsace-Lorraine (German Empire, 1871-1918) - **Commune Status**: Established December 1789 as part of the French Revolution's administrative reorganization ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 4. INSEE code 5. répertoire géographique des communes 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Annuaire de service-public.fr 8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 9. Populations légales 2016 10. Populations légales 2017 11. Populations légales 2018 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)