# Arles-sur-Tech

> commune in Pyrénées-Orientales, France

**Wikidata**: [Q7897](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7897)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arles-sur-Tech)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arles-sur-tech

## Summary
Arles-sur-Tech is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France, situated in the historical Vallespir comarca of Catalonia. It serves as an administrative subdivision within the arrondissement of Céret and the canton of Arles-sur-Tech, featuring notable landmarks such as the Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Arles-sur-Tech and the prehistoric dolmen known as Caixa de Rotllan. As part of the broader commune system established in France in 1789, it represents a small municipal entity in the Occitania region with a population fluctuating around 2,700 residents.

## Key Facts
- Official classification: Commune in Pyrénées-Orientales, France, functioning as a territorial subdivision for municipalities under the French communal system.
- Inception of communal structure: Established with the commune of France on 1789-00-00, following the French Revolution.
- Department: Pyrénées-Orientales, a French department in the Occitania region, created on 1790-03-04.
- Arrondissement: Part of the arrondissement of Céret, an administrative division in France.
- Canton: Located in the canton of Arles-sur-Tech, a cantonal subdivision in France.
- Historical region: Situated in Vallespir, a historical comarca of Catalonia.
- Country: France, a nation in Western Europe with overseas territories in America, Africa, and Oceania; inception tied to the Treaty of Verdun in 0843-08-00 establishing West Francia, earlier roots in Francia from 0481, and the First French Empire from 1804-05-18.
- Notable landmarks: Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Arles-sur-Tech, an abbey in Pyrénées-Orientales with headquarters linked to its location; Caixa de Rotllan, a dolmen in Arles-sur-Tech.
- Website: http://www.ville-arles-sur-tech.fr.
- Geographic coordinates: Latitude 42.456944444444, longitude 2.6338888888889.
- Population figures: Recorded as 2687.0, 2695.0, 2738.0, 2705.0, 2698.0, 2724.0, 2784.0, 2794.0, 2805.0, and 2815.0 across various years.
- Sitelink count: 47.
- Wikipedia title: Arles-sur-Tech.
- Wikidata description: Commune in Pyrénées-Orientales, France.
- France context - official name: République française (French Republic).
- France context - capital: Paris.
- France context - population: 68,605,616 (2025 estimate).
- France context - area: 643,801 square kilometres.
- France context - government type: Semi-presidential system, unitary state, republic.
- France context - head of state: Emmanuel Macron (President of the French Republic).
- France context - head of government: Sébastien Lecornu (Prime Minister).
- France context - legislature: Bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate).
- France context - official language: French.
- France context - currency: Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France; CFP Franc in overseas territories.
- France context - motto: "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity).
- France context - national anthem: "La Marseillaise".
- France context - flag: Tricolore (blue, white, red).
- France context - independence/founding: Treaty of Verdun (843 AD) established West Francia; First French Empire (1804).
- France context - continents: Europe (metropolitan), Americas, Africa, Oceania, Antarctica (via overseas territories).
- France context - borders: Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, Switzerland; Brazil and Suriname (via French Guiana); Netherlands (via Sint Maarten).
- France context - highest point: Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters).
- France context - lowest point: Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters).
- France context - coordinates: 47°N 2°E.
- France context - time zones: UTC+01:00 (CET), UTC+02:00 (CEST), and various others for overseas territories.
- France context - driving side: Right.
- France context - electricity: 230 volts, 50 Hz; plugs: Europlug, Type E.
- France context - calling code: +33.
- France context - internet TLD: .fr.
- France context - ISO codes: FR (Alpha-2), FRA (Alpha-3), 250 (Numeric).
- France context - GDP: $2.78 trillion USD (2022).
- France context - budget: €455.2 billion (2023).
- France context - VAT rates: 20% (standard), 10% (reduced), 5.5% (reduced), 2.1% (medication).
- France context - life expectancy: 82 years (2022).
- France context - HDI: 0.903 (2021), classified as "Very High".
- France context - retirement age: 62 years (standard), 67 years (full rate).
- France context - marriageable age: 18 years.
- France context - age of majority: 18 years.
- France context - compulsory education: Ages 6 to 16.
- France context - emergency numbers: 112 (general), 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire).
- France context - UN membership: Since October 24, 1945; permanent member of the Security Council.
- France context - EU membership: Since March 25, 1957 (founding member).
- France context - NATO membership: Since April 4, 1949.
- France context - nuclear weapons: State possesses nuclear weapons (since 1960).
- France context - IOC code: FRA.
- France context - vehicle registration: F.

## FAQs
**Where is Arles-sur-Tech located and what administrative divisions does it belong to?**  
Arles-sur-Tech lies in the Pyrénées-Orientales department within the Occitania region of France, specifically in the arrondissement of Céret and the canton of Arles-sur-Tech. It is part of the historical Vallespir comarca associated with Catalonia, placing it in southern France near the Spanish border.

**What are the key landmarks in Arles-sur-Tech?**  
The commune features the Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Arles-sur-Tech, a historic abbey situated in Pyrénées-Orientales, and the Caixa de Rotllan, a prehistoric dolmen directly within the town. These sites highlight its cultural and archaeological heritage.

**What is the population trend in Arles-sur-Tech?**  
Population records for Arles-sur-Tech show figures of 2687.0, 2695.0, 2738.0, 2705.0, 2698.0, 2724.0, 2784.0, 2794.0, 2805.0, and 2815.0 over successive years, indicating a gradual increase from around 2,687 to 2,815 residents.

**How does Arles-sur-Tech fit into France's broader structure?**  
As a commune established under France's 1789 system, Arles-sur-Tech operates within the unitary semi-presidential republic of France, which has a population of 68,605,616, an area of 643,801 square kilometers, and uses the euro as currency in metropolitan areas like this one.

**What resources are available for learning more about Arles-sur-Tech?**  
The official website is http://www.ville-arles-sur-tech.fr, providing local information. It also has a Wikipedia page titled "Arles-sur-Tech" and a Wikidata entry describing it as a commune in Pyrénées-Orientales, France, with 47 sitelinks across language versions.

## Why It Matters
Arles-sur-Tech holds significance as a microcosm of France's layered historical and cultural identity, bridging the Catalan heritage of Vallespir with the administrative framework of modern France established in 1789 and the departmental creation of Pyrénées-Orientales in 1790. Its preservation of sites like the Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Arles-sur-Tech and the Caixa de Rotllan dolmen underscores the commune's role in safeguarding prehistoric and medieval legacies, contributing to regional tourism and archaeological studies in Occitania. Within France—a global power with veto authority in the UN Security Council, founding EU membership since 1957, NATO involvement from 1949, and nuclear capabilities since 1960—Arles-sur-Tech exemplifies how small communes sustain the nation's decentralized governance, economic vitality (reflected in France's $2.78 trillion GDP and 0.903 HDI), and cultural motto of "Liberté, égalité, fraternité." By maintaining a stable population around 2,700 while integrating into a country with 68 million residents, advanced infrastructure like 230-volt electricity and right-hand driving, and international ties, it supports local identity amid France's expansive influence across continents, from Mont Blanc's heights to overseas territories in Antarctica. This commune thus plays a quiet yet essential part in preserving diverse regional narratives within a unified republic that shapes global diplomacy, economy, and human development standards.

## Notable For
- Historical Catalan ties: Positioned in Vallespir, a comarca of Catalonia, distinguishing it as a cross-border cultural hub in French territory.
- Prehistoric archaeology: Home to Caixa de Rotllan, a dolmen that marks ancient megalithic presence in the region.
- Medieval religious site: Features the Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Arles-sur-Tech, an abbey emblematic of monastic history in Pyrénées-Orientales.
- Administrative specificity: Serves as the namesake for its own canton, highlighting its central role in local French governance.
- Population stability: Demonstrates consistent growth from 2,687 to 2,815 residents, reflecting resilience in a rural Pyrenean setting.
- Wikidata prominence: Boasts 47 sitelinks, indicating broader online recognition beyond its small size.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Arles-sur-Tech occupies a position in southern France, defined by coordinates at latitude 42.456944444444 and longitude 2.6338888888889. It forms part of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, which emerged on 1790-03-04 as a subdivision in the Occitania region. The commune integrates into the arrondissement of Céret, an organizational layer within French administration, and aligns with the broader commune of France system initiated in 1789-00-00 during the revolutionary restructuring of municipalities.

This location ties directly to France, a country spanning 643,801 square kilometers primarily in Western Europe, with extensions via overseas territories into the Americas (such as French Guiana and Guadeloupe), Africa (including Mayotte and Réunion), Oceania (like New Caledonia and French Polynesia), and Antarctica (Adélie Land). France's metropolitan borders encompass neighbors like Spain, relevant to Arles-sur-Tech's proximity, along with Andorra, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Switzerland, Brazil and Suriname through French Guiana, and the Netherlands via Sint Maarten. The nation's highest elevation reaches Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, while its lowest dips to Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters, with central coordinates at 47°N 2°E—contrasting Arles-sur-Tech's more southern Pyrenean footing.

### Administrative and Historical Context
Arles-sur-Tech operates as a commune, the foundational territorial unit for French municipalities since 1789, embodying the unitary semi-presidential republic's decentralized structure under the Fifth Republic's constitution from 1958-10-04. It falls within the canton of Arles-sur-Tech, a sub-division facilitating local elections and services. The encompassing Pyrénées-Orientales department anchors it in Occitania, while the arrondissement of Céret provides intermediate oversight.

Historically, the commune's roots intertwine with Vallespir, a comarca from Catalonia's past, reflecting pre-1789 cultural overlaps before France's modern form solidified via the Treaty of Verdun in 843-08-00 (creating West Francia), earlier Francia from 481, and the First French Empire on 1804-05-18. France's evolution includes regime shifts, such as Vichy during World War II, leading to the current republic with Emmanuel Macron as President and Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister. The bicameral Parliament—National Assembly and Senate—oversees national laws, while the judiciary features the Court of Cassation, Council of State, and Constitutional Council. Arles-sur-Tech's 18-region division places it among 12 metropolitan ones, supporting France's role in bodies like the UN (member since 1945-10-24, permanent Security Council seat), EU (founding from 1957-03-25), NATO (1949-04-04), G7, G20, WTO, Schengen Area, and Council of Europe.

### Landmarks and Cultural Sites
The Abbaye Sainte-Marie d'Arles-sur-Tech stands as a key feature, an abbey embedded in Pyrénées-Orientales with its headquarters at the site itself, boasting 9 sitelinks for global reference. This monastic complex, listed twice in records for emphasis, preserves medieval architecture and religious history central to the commune's identity.

Equally distinctive is Caixa de Rotllan, a dolmen situated precisely in Arles-sur-Tech, representing prehistoric megalithic construction with 7 sitelinks. These landmarks elevate the commune's profile, connecting it to France's rich UNESCO-recognized heritage, including numerous World Heritage Sites, and its cultural exports in art, philosophy, and gastronomy under the "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" ethos.

France's national symbols—tricolore flag (blue, white, red), "La Marseillaise" anthem, and Great Seal—extend symbolic resonance to local sites like these. Public holidays such as Bastille Day (July 14) and Armistice Day (November 11) are observed locally, aligning with the nation's 12 official celebrations.

### Demographics and Society
Population data for Arles-sur-Tech records sequential figures of 2687.0, 2695.0, 2738.0, 2705.0, 2698.0, 2724.0, 2784.0, 2794.0, 2805.0, and 2815.0, showing incremental growth over time in this rural setting. This contrasts with France's overall 68,605,616 residents (2025 estimate), where urban areas house 55.4 million versus 12.5 million rural (2022).

Society in Arles-sur-Tech adheres to French norms: official language French, with regional influences like Catalan from Vallespir; age of majority and marriageable age at 18; compulsory education from ages 6 to 16; retirement at 62 (full at 67). Life expectancy mirrors France's 82 years (2022), with birth rate 10.6 and death rate 9.8 per 1,000. Regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, and Catalan are acknowledged, enriching the commune's multicultural fabric.

### Economy and Infrastructure
As part of France's mixed economy with $2.78 trillion USD GDP (2022) and €455.2 billion budget (2023), Arles-sur-Tech benefits from metropolitan euro usage, standard 20% VAT (reduced 10%, 5.5%, 2.1% for medication), and median income around $30,364 USD. Public debt at 117.4% of GDP (Q3 2025) frames national fiscal context, while the Bank of France oversees currency, with CFP Franc in overseas areas irrelevant here.

Infrastructure follows French standards: right-hand driving, speed limits of 130 km/h (highways), 110 km/h (dual carriageways), 90 km/h (other roads), 50 km/h (urban); 230 volts/50 Hz electricity with Europlug/Type E; metric system. Time zone CET (UTC+01:00), CEST (UTC+02:00) in summer. Calling code +33, TLD .fr (plus regional like .bzh), ISO FR/FRA/250. Emergency numbers: 112 general, 15 medical, 17 police, 18 fire. Vehicle registration F, IOC code FRA.

### International and Broader Connections
Arles-sur-Tech's French affiliation links it to global engagements: nuclear weapons since 1960, Interpol founding (1923), second-largest EEZ worldwide via territories. France's diplomatic ties with the US, China, Russia, UK, and Germany, plus land/maritime borders, position the commune within a network influencing trade, security, and culture. Tourism slogan "Rendez-vous en France" applies locally, with awards like The Economist's 2017 Country of the Year for openness and Lagun Onari in 2012. HDI 0.903 (very high, 2021) and contributions to aerospace, luxury, and cuisine amplify the commune's place in a nation driving international norms.

## References

1. Géoportail
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. OpenStreetMap
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
25. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
26. [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)
27. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
28. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
29. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File