# Allain

> commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q682655](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q682655)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allain,_Meurthe-et-Moselle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/allain

## Summary

Allain is a commune located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It sits within the canton of Colombey-les-Belles and the arrondissement of Toul, situated at coordinates 48.55°N latitude and 5.9108°E longitude. The commune, also known by its alias Allain-aux-Bœufs, has a municipal website at http://mairiedallain.free.fr.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Meurthe-et-Moselle department, Grand Est region, France
- **Canton**: Colombey-les-Belles
- **Arrondissement**: Toul
- **Coordinates**: 48.55°N, 5.9108333333333°E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (communal territory established circa 1789)
- **Department History**: Meurthe-et-Moselle established September 7, 1871; Meurthe was a former department dating to March 4, 1790
- **Alias**: Allain-aux-Bœufs
- **Wikipedia Title**: Allain, Meurthe-et-Moselle
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
- **Website**: http://mairiedallain.free.fr
- **Sitelink Count**: 43
- **Population History**: Recorded populations of 254, 274 (twice), 353, 387 (twice), 452, 463, 470 (three times), 472, 476, 478, 489, 490 (twice), 491 across various census years

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Allain?**

Allain is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. Communes are the French equivalent of municipalities and serve as the lowest level of administrative organization in the country.

**Which department and region is Allain located in?**

Allain is located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. The department was officially established on September 7, 1871, following the Franco-Prussian War, which created the current departmental boundaries.

**What administrative subdivisions is Allain part of?**

Allain belongs to the canton of Colombey-les-Belles and the arrondissement of Toul. The commune falls under the broader administrative structure of France, with communes existing as territorial subdivisions since approximately 1789.

**What is the geographic position of Allain?**

Allain is situated at coordinates 48.55 degrees north latitude and 5.9108333333333 degrees east longitude, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the border with Luxembourg and Germany.

**Does Allain have a municipal website?**

Yes, Allain maintains a municipal website at http://mairiedallain.free.fr, providing information about local governance and community affairs.

## Why It Matters

Allain represents the fundamental unit of local administration in France, embodying the country's decentralized governmental structure. As one of the thousands of communes that form the backbone of French territorial organization, Allain participates in the historical system of municipal governance that dates back to the French Revolution. The commune's location in Meurthe-et-Moselle places it in a region of significant historical importance, as this area experienced territorial changes following the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, which led to the creation of the current department. Understanding Allain provides insight into how France manages its local governance through communes, which are responsible for local services, urban planning, and community organization. The variation in population figures over time reflects the demographic shifts common in rural French communes, where populations fluctuate based on economic conditions, employment opportunities, and quality of life factors.

## Notable For

- Historical departmental lineage tracing back to the former Meurthe department established in 1790
- Location within the arrondissement of Toul, an area with significant historical military importance
- Part of the canton system that provides intermediate administrative representation between communes and departments
- Alias name "Allain-aux-Bœufs" reflecting traditional French naming conventions for rural settlements

## Body

### Geography and Location

Allain is positioned at 48.55 degrees north latitude and 5.9108333333333 degrees east longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of France within the Meurthe-et-Moselle department. The commune lies in the Grand Est region, which was formed through the merger of Champagne-Ardenne, Alsace, and Lorraine in 2016. This geographic positioning places Allain in close proximity to the borders with Luxembourg and Germany, giving the area significant strategic importance throughout European history.

### Administrative Structure

Allain functions as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial collectivity in France. The French commune system originated during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and villages. Each commune operates as a municipal corporation with its own mayor and council, responsible for local services including civil registration, local taxation, and public facilities.

The commune is part of the canton of Colombey-les-Belles, which serves as an electoral district for departmental elections. Cantons represent intermediate administrative divisions between communes and arrondissements. Allain further belongs to the arrondissement of Toul, which is one of the administrative divisions within Meurthe-et-Moselle. Arrondissements serve as sub-prefectures and handle administrative coordination across multiple cantons.

### Historical Context

The Meurthe-et-Moselle department was established on September 7, 1871, following the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War. This war resulted in significant territorial changes for France, including the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to the German Empire. The new department was carved from the western portion of the former Meurthe department, combined with portions of the Moselle department that remained French. The former Meurthe department itself had been created on March 4, 1790, during the initial departmental reorganization following the French Revolution.

This historical context explains why Meurthe-et-Moselle represents a relatively recent administrative creation, designed to maintain French administrative presence in the region while accommodating the new international border. The area has since developed its own distinct departmental identity while maintaining connections to the broader historical regions of Lorraine and Meurthe.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Allain reveals significant fluctuations over time, with recorded figures including 254, 274 (appearing twice in the records), 353, 387 (appearing twice), 452, 463, 470 (appearing three times), 472, 476, 478, 489, 490 (appearing twice), and 491. These figures represent various census years and demonstrate the demographic variability common in rural French communes. The population has ranged from a low of approximately 254 residents to a high of approximately 491 residents, reflecting the challenges faced by smaller rural communities in maintaining population levels amid broader urbanization trends that have seen younger residents move to larger cities and urban areas.

### Local Infrastructure and Services

Allain maintains a municipal website at http://mairiedallain.free.fr, which serves as the primary digital interface between the commune's administration and its residents. This website likely provides information about local municipal services, community events, administrative procedures, and contact information for local officials. The presence of a dedicated municipal website reflects the commune's commitment to maintaining modern communication channels with its population, even as a smaller rural settlement.

### Relationship to Broader French Administrative System

As a French commune, Allain participates in the hierarchical structure of French territorial administration. At the base level, communes are governed by mayors and municipal councils elected by local residents. These councils make decisions about local affairs, manage municipal property, and oversee local services such as water supply, waste collection, and local roads.

Above the communal level, cantons provide representation for electoral purposes and serve as intermediaries for administrative coordination. Arrondissements, such as the arrondissement of Toul to which Allain belongs, handle more complex administrative matters and serve as the jurisdiction for certain government services. The department level, represented by the prefecture in Nancy and sub-prefectures, handles broader regional administration, while the regional level coordinates economic development and planning across multiple departments.

This multi-layered system allows France to balance local autonomy with national coordination, ensuring that even small communes like Allain have access to regional and national resources while maintaining meaningful local governance. The system also preserves historical administrative divisions that reflect centuries of French territorial evolution, from the revolutionary reorganization of 1789 through the departmental changes of 1871 and the regional mergers of 2016.

## 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65296603)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)