# Ars-sur-Formans

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q206665](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q206665)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ars-sur-Formans)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ars-sur-formans

## Summary

Ars-sur-Formans is a commune located in the Ain department of southeastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse. The small town is notably home to the Basilique d'Ars, a significant basilica that has made it an important pilgrimage destination in the region. Positioned along the Formans river, the commune sits at coordinates 45.991944°N latitude and 4.822778°E longitude.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Ars-sur-Formans (commonly abbreviated to Ars)
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Ain (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Bourg-en-Bresse
- **Coordinates**: 45.991944°N, 4.822778°E
- **Website**: https://www.ars-sur-formans.fr
- **Related River**: Formans (river in France)
- **Notable Landmark**: Basilique d'Ars (basilica located in Ain, France)
- **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision dating to 1789)
- **Population History**: Records show figures including 496, 480, 719, 851, 1102, 1244, 1374, 1387, 1389, 1408, 1418, 1427, 1457, 1490, 1498, 1513, and 1528 across various census years
- **Wikipedia Title**: Ars-sur-Formans
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ain, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 64

## FAQs

**What region and administrative division is Ars-sur-Formans part of?**
Ars-sur-Formans is located in the Ain department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, specifically within the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse.

**What is the significance of the Basilique d'Ars?**
The Basilique d'Ars is a basilica located in the Ain department of France, representing a significant religious landmark that has contributed to Ars-sur-Formans' importance as a pilgrimage site.

**What geographical features surround Ars-sur-Formans?**
The commune is situated along the Formans river and positioned at coordinates 45.991944°N latitude and 4.822778°E longitude in the southeastern part of France.

**What is the historical administrative status of Ars-sur-Formans?**
As a commune of France, Ars-sur-Formans belongs to the French territorial subdivision system that originated in 1789, with the Ain department itself being established on March 4, 1790.

**How can one find more information about Ars-sur-Formans?**
The official municipal website is available at https://www.ars-sur-formans.fr, and the commune has a Wikipedia page titled "Ars-sur-Formans" with 64 sitelinks.

## Why It Matters

Ars-sur-Formans matters as a representative example of a French rural commune with deep historical and religious roots. The presence of the Basilique d'Ars elevates the commune beyond its modest population numbers, establishing it as a destination for religious pilgrims and those interested in French ecclesiastical architecture. The commune's location in the Ain department places it within one of France's departments created during the foundational reorganization of French territory following the French Revolution, giving it a direct link to the modern administrative structure of France. The commune's position along the Formans river also connects it to the geographical and environmental landscape of the region, contributing to the local ecosystem and rural character of the area. For researchers and those studying French administrative divisions, Ars-sur-Formans represents a data point in understanding the distribution of small communes across the French territory and their historical continuity.

## Notable For

- Home to the Basilique d'Ars, a significant religious landmark in the Ain department
- Located along the Formans river, providing natural geographical significance
- Part of the historic administrative structure of the Ain department (established 1790)
- Example of French commune organization dating to the revolutionary period of 1789
- Official municipal web presence at https://www.ars-sur-formans.fr

## Body

### Geography and Location

Ars-sur-Formans is situated in the southeastern region of France, specifically in the Ain department which forms part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region. The commune is positioned at coordinates 45.991944°N latitude and 4.822778°E longitude, placing it in the eastern portion of the country. The municipality is traversed by the Formans river, a waterway that contributes to the local geography and has influenced the settlement pattern of the area. The terrain and proximity to the river have historically supported agricultural activities and rural settlement in this part of the Ain department.

### Administrative History

The commune operates within the French administrative system that was fundamentally reorganized during the French Revolution. The department of Ain itself was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial division of French territory into departments. Ars-sur-Formans functions as a commune of France, which represents the lowest level of territorial administration in the French system, a structure that dates to 1789 when communes were established as the fundamental units of local government. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse, which serves as the administrative center for this portion of the Ain department.

### Religious Significance

The Basilique d'Ars represents the most notable landmark associated with Ars-sur-Formans. This basilica, located within the Ain department, has established the commune as a site of religious importance and pilgrimage. The presence of the basilica has historically drawn visitors and faithful to the area, contributing to the cultural and spiritual identity of the commune. This religious landmark distinguishes Ars-sur-Formans from other small communes in the region and provides a connection to broader French ecclesiastical heritage.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Ars-sur-Formans has fluctuated over time, with historical census data showing figures that reflect the broader demographic trends affecting rural French communes. The population records indicate variations between approximately 480 and 1,528 residents across different census periods, demonstrating the dynamic nature of small rural settlements in contemporary France. These population figures, while modest, are consistent with the character of a small French commune located in a rural portion of the Ain department.

### Municipal Infrastructure

Ars-sur-Formans maintains an official web presence through its municipal website at https://www.ars-sur-formans.fr, providing information about local government services, community events, and practical information for residents and visitors. The commune is part of the French departmental system and benefits from the administrative support structures in place for municipalities in the Ain department. The local government operates under the framework established for French communes, providing essential services to the resident population while maintaining connections to higher levels of administrative organization.

### Related Entities

The commune maintains connections to several related entities that define its context within the French territorial system. The Formans river represents an important geographical link, providing water resources and contributing to the local environment. The Basilique d'Ars serves as the primary landmark and cultural asset, while the broader framework of the commune of France provides the administrative structure within which the municipality operates. The department of Ain and the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse provide the intermediate levels of governance and administrative coordination that connect Ars-sur-Formans to regional and national structures.

## References

1. French National Directory of Representatives
2. BnF authorities
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q61336)
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
16. Populations légales 2019
17. Populations légales 2020
18. Populations légales 2021
19. Populations de référence 2022
20. Populations de référence 2023
21. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
22. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
23. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/cog/commune/COM01021-ars-sur-formans)
24. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
25. GeoNames
26. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
27. [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)
28. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
29. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File