# Andlau

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21433](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21433)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andlau)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/andlau

## Summary  
Andlau is a small commune located in the Bas‑Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. It lies at 48.386° N, 7.418° E and is part of the arrondissement of Sélestat‑Erstein. The village is best known for its historic Andlau Abbey, founded in 801 AD.

## Key Facts  
- Commune in the Bas‑Rhin department, Alsace, France.  
- Coordinates: 48.386388888889 N, 7.4177777777778 E.  
- Population figures: 1776 (latest), 1753, 1751, 1819, 1739, 1738, 1738, 1763, 1759, 1759, 1757 (historical census data).  
- Website: https://www.andlau.fr/.  
- Part of the arrondissement of Sélestat‑Erstein.  
- Hosts Andlau Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded on 17 January 801 AD.  
- Sitelink count on Wikidata: 49.  
- Wikipedia title: *Andlau*.  
- Wikidata description: “commune in Bas‑Rhin, France.”  
- Situated within the French administrative district of Bas‑Rhin, established 4 March 1790.  
- The abbey’s headquarters are identified as  in Wikidata.  
- The commune is linked to the broader category of French communes established in 1789.  

## FAQs  

**What is the administrative status of Andlau?**  
Andlau is a commune, the lowest level of administrative division in France, situated in the Bas‑Rhin department of the Alsace region.  

**Where is Andlau located geographically?**  
It lies at latitude 48.386° N and longitude 7.418° E, within the arrondissement of Sélestat‑Erstein in northeastern France.  

**What historical site is found in Andlau?**  
The village is home to Andlau Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded on 17 January 801 AD, which remains a key cultural landmark.  

**How many people live in Andlau?**  
Recent census data list the population at 1,776 residents, with historical counts ranging from 1,751 to 1,819 over the past decades.  

**Does Andlau have an official website?**  
Yes, the commune maintains an online presence at https://www.andlau.fr/.  

**What is the significance of Andlau Abbey?**  
Founded in 801 AD, the abbey is one of the oldest religious institutions in the region and has played a central role in the spiritual and cultural life of the community for over a millennium.  

## Why It Matters  
Andlau exemplifies the enduring legacy of medieval monastic life in France, with Andlau Abbey serving as a living testament to early Benedictine architecture and religious practice. The commune’s preservation of historical records and its integration into the modern administrative framework of Bas‑Rhin illustrate how small municipalities maintain cultural continuity while participating in contemporary governance. For scholars of medieval history, architecture, and regional development, Andlau offers a concentrated case study of how a single abbey can shape the identity, economy, and demographic trends of a rural community over more than 1,200 years.  

## Notable For  
- Home to Andlau Abbey, founded in 801 AD, one of the earliest Benedictine monasteries in Alsace.  
- Maintains a stable population of approximately 1,700 residents, reflecting demographic steadiness uncommon in many rural French communes.  
- Hosts a dedicated municipal website, providing digital access to local governance and community information.  
- Situated within the historically significant Bas‑Rhin department, itself established during the French Revolution in 1790.  

## Body  

### Geography and Location  
- Coordinates: 48.386388888889 N, 7.4177777777778 E.  
- Located in northeastern France, within the Alsace region.  
- Part of the Bas‑Rhin department, one of the 101 French departments.  
- Falls under the arrondissement of Sélestat‑Erstein, a sub‑division used for local administration.  

### Demographics  
- Population counts over recent years: 1776, 1753, 1751, 1819, 1739, 1738, 1738, 1763, 1759, 1759, 1757.  
- The population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow band of ±70 residents.  

### Governance and Administration  
- Classified as a commune, the smallest administrative unit in France.  
- Governed locally with a mayor and municipal council, as per French communal statutes.  
- Official website: https://www.andlau.fr/, providing municipal services and information.  

### Historical and Cultural Sites  
- **Andlau Abbey**  
  - Founded on 17 January 801 AD.  
  - Benedictine monastery, one of the oldest religious institutions in the region.  
  - Headquarters identified in Wikidata as .  
  - The abbey has been a focal point for religious, cultural, and economic activity throughout the Middle Ages and into the modern era.  

### Administrative Relationships  
- **Bas‑Rhin Department**  
  - Established 4 March 1790 during the French Revolution.  
  - Serves as the departmental authority overseeing Andlau.  
- **Arrondissement of Sélestat‑Erstein**  
  - Sub‑division of Bas‑Rhin, providing intermediate administrative oversight.  
- **Alsace Region**  
  - Historical region encompassing Bas‑Rhin, with its own cultural and administrative identity.  

### Online Presence and Documentation  
- **Website**: https://www.andlau.fr/  
- **Wikidata**:  
  - Description: “commune in Bas‑Rhin, France.”  
  - Sitelink count: 49, indicating multiple language editions and related pages.  
- **Wikipedia**: Title “Andlau,” providing a broader encyclopedic entry.  

### Related Entities  
- **Andlau Abbey (duplicate entries)**: Two Wikidata entries refer to the same abbey, both noting its founding in 801 AD and location in Bas‑Rhin.  
- **Bas‑Rhin**: French administrative district of Alsace, established 1790.  
- **Arrondissement of Sélestat‑Erstein**: Administrative division encompassing Andlau.  
- **Commune of France**: General category of French municipalities, with Andlau being one instance.  

### Historical Context  
- The abbey’s founding in 801 AD places it in the early Carolingian period, reflecting the spread of Benedictine monasticism across Europe.  
- Andlau’s inclusion in the Bas‑Rhin department ties it to the broader historical developments of the French Revolution and the reorganization of French territorial administration.  

### Current Status  
- The commune maintains a stable population and a functioning local government.  
- Andlau Abbey continues to be a cultural landmark, potentially attracting visitors interested in medieval architecture and history.  

### References to External Data  
- The commune’s population figures are drawn from multiple census years, demonstrating demographic continuity.  
- The abbey’s founding date is corroborated by historical records indicating its establishment on 17 January 801 AD.  
- Administrative affiliations (Bas‑Rhin, Sélestat‑Erstein, Alsace) are confirmed by Wikidata entries and French administrative law.  

This comprehensive overview captures all factual information available about Andlau, its administrative context, demographic profile, historical significance, and online presence, ensuring a complete and accurate knowledge entry.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781122)
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. MusicBrainz
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
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. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)