# Avricourt

> commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q196340](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q196340)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avricourt,_Meurthe-et-Moselle)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/avricourt-q196340

## Summary

Avricourt is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of northeastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Lunéville within the canton of Blâmont. The commune, which spans coordinates 48.644722222222°N latitude and 6.8058333333333°E longitude, serves as a local administrative center with historical ties to the former Meurthe department and benefits from rail connectivity through Gare d'Igney - Avricourt. As part of the commune system established in France since 1789, Avricourt represents the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in the French administrative hierarchy.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Avricourt is located in the canton of Blâmont, Meurthe-et-Moselle department, France
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Lunéville
- **Department History**: Part of Meurthe-et-Moselle (inception: 1871-09-07), formerly part of Meurthe department (inception: 1790-03-04)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.644722222222, Longitude 6.8058333333333
- **Commune Status**: Established as a commune of France (inception: 1789-00-00)
- **Infrastructure**: Contains Gare d'Igney - Avricourt railway station
- **Population**: Historical population figures include 565, 543, 531, 524, 442, 425, 407, 392, 390, 388, 387, 385, 377 (various census years)
- **Country**: France (Western Europe)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Avricourt, Meurthe-et-Moselle
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

**What region and administrative area does Avricourt belong to?**

Avricourt is a commune located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of northeastern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Lunéville and the canton of Blâmont. The department of Meurthe-et-Moselle was established on September 7, 1871, following the Franco-Prussian War, which explains its relatively recent formation compared to older French departments.

**What is the historical administrative context of Avricourt?**

Avricourt's administrative territory evolved through French departmental reorganizations. Prior to the creation of Meurthe-et-Moselle in 1871, the area was part of the Meurthe department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune itself operates under the commune system established in 1789, which serves as France's lowest-level territorial subdivision for municipalities.

**What transportation infrastructure serves Avricourt?**

Avricourt is served by Gare d'Igney - Avricourt, a railway station located within the commune. This railway connection provides local and regional rail services, linking Avricourt to broader transportation networks in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region and beyond.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Avricourt?**

Avricourt is situated at latitude 48.644722222222°N and longitude 6.8058333333333°E, placing it in northeastern France within the Lorraine region. This positioning places the commune in a zone that has historically seen significant cross-border activity between France and neighboring Germany.

**How has the population of Avricourt changed over time?**

Avricourt has experienced population fluctuations throughout its history, with recorded figures including 565, 543, 531, 524, 442, 425, 407, 392, 390, 388, 387, 385, and 377 residents across various census periods. These variations reflect broader demographic trends in rural French communes, including urbanization pressures and regional economic shifts.

## Why It Matters

Avricourt matters as a representative example of the French commune system, which serves as the foundational unit of local governance in France. The commune embodies the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes the French Republic, providing essential public services and local representation to its residents. Its location in Meurthe-et-Moselle places it in a region with significant historical importance, particularly given the department's formation following the 1870-1871 Franco-Prussian War, which reshaped the eastern boundaries of France.

The presence of Gare d'Igney - Avricourt highlights the commune's role in regional transportation infrastructure, connecting residents to broader economic and social networks in the Lorraine region. This railway connection has likely influenced the commune's development patterns and economic opportunities.

The historical evolution of Avricourt's administrative status—from the former Meurthe department to the current Meurthe-et-Moselle—reflects the dynamic nature of French territorial organization. Understanding this evolution provides insight into how regional boundaries adapt to historical events, particularly conflicts that redrew national frontiers.

For researchers and those interested in French administrative geography, Avricourt serves as a data point for understanding population dynamics in rural northeastern France, where many communes face challenges related to demographic decline, aging populations, and the need to maintain public services in less densely populated areas.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Heritage**: Represents the French commune system established in 1789, making it part of one of Europe's oldest continuous systems of municipal organization
- **Departmental History**: Located in Meurthe-et-Moselle, a department with a distinct formation date (1871) tied to the Franco-Prussian War and the loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany
- **Railway Connectivity**: Home to Gare d'Igney - Avricourt, providing direct rail services to the region
- **Geographic Position**: Situated at precise coordinates 48.644722222222°N, 6.8058333333333°E in the northeastern French region of Lorraine

## Body

### Geography and Administrative Location

Avricourt is geographically positioned at latitude 48.644722222222°N and longitude 6.8058333333333°E, placing it in the northeastern French region of Lorraine. The commune is located within the canton of Blâmont and the arrondissement of Lunéville, both of which serve as intermediate administrative divisions between the commune and the department level.

The commune sits within the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, which was officially established on September 7, 1871. This department was created following the conclusion of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), when France was required to cede the eastern portion of Lorraine (including the former department of Moselle) to the German Empire. The remaining western portion of the historical region of Lorraine was reorganized into the new department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, combining territories from the former Meurthe department with portions of the Moselle region that remained under French control.

Prior to this reorganization, the territory now comprising Avricourt fell under the jurisdiction of the Meurthe department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. This historical context explains the department's name, which combines references to both the Meurthe River and the Moselle River, symbolizing the union of the remaining French territories in this border region.

### Historical Context and Communal Status

Avricourt operates as a commune, which represents the lowest level of territorial administration in France. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, when the monarchy was abolished and France was reorganized into a system of departments, arrondissements, and communes. This system has remained largely continuous since its inception, making it one of the oldest municipal administrative systems in Europe.

The commune of Avricourt, like all French communes, functions as a corporate entity with its own local government, budget, and administrative powers. Communes in France possess significant autonomy in managing local affairs, including urban planning, local taxation, and the provision of public services such as water, sanitation, and primary education.

### Transportation and Infrastructure

A key feature of Avricourt is the presence of Gare d'Igney - Avricourt, a railway station serving the commune and surrounding area. This railway infrastructure connects Avricourt to the broader regional transportation network, facilitating travel and commerce within the Lorraine region and beyond. Railway stations in rural France often serve as important anchors for local economic activity, providing residents with access to employment centers, educational institutions, and services located in larger towns and cities.

The railway station's name references both Avricourt and the nearby locality of Igney, a common practice in French railway nomenclature when stations serve multiple small communities. This dual naming reflects the interconnected nature of rural settlements in the region and the importance of collaborative infrastructure development.

### Demographics and Population Dynamics

Avricourt has experienced notable population fluctuations throughout its recorded history, with census data showing figures including 565, 543, 531, 524, 442, 425, 407, 392, 390, 388, 387, 385, and 377 residents across various census years. These population variations are characteristic of many rural communes in northeastern France, where demographic trends have been influenced by multiple factors including:

Rural depopulation has affected many small French communes since the mid-20th century, as younger residents have migrated to urban areas seeking employment opportunities and access to services. The broader economic transformation of France, with declining employment in agriculture and traditional industries, has accelerated this trend in rural regions.

However, some periods show population increases, suggesting that Avricourt has at times attracted new residents or experienced natural population growth. The commune's railway connection and proximity to larger population centers may have provided economic opportunities that helped stabilize or grow the population during certain periods.

### Regional Context and Relationships

Avricourt's position within the French administrative hierarchy reflects the multi-layered structure of governance in France. The commune is part of the canton of Blâmont, which serves as a constituency for elections to the departmental council. The canton of Blâmont represents a grouping of multiple communes for administrative and electoral purposes, providing a middle tier between the commune and the department.

The arrondissement of Lunéville provides another administrative layer, serving as a sub-division of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department. Arrondissements in France are primarily administrative divisions responsible for coordinating state services, including prefectural functions and the coordination of public services.

The commune is also connected to the broader entity of "commune of France," which represents the category of all French municipalities. This category was established with the inception of the commune system in 1789, creating a uniform framework for local governance across all of France, from the smallest rural hamlet to the largest metropolitan area like Paris.

### Connection to French Departmental History

The history of Meurthe-et-Moselle department, which contains Avricourt, is particularly significant in understanding the commune's historical context. The department's formation on September 7, 1871, resulted directly from the Treaty of Frankfurt, which ended the Franco-Prussian War. Under the terms of this treaty, France lost the eastern portion of Lorraine and Alsace to the German Empire, creating a new border that shifted dramatically westward.

The creation of Meurthe-et-Moselle represented not merely an administrative reorganization but a response to a fundamental transformation of France's eastern frontier. The department name deliberately combines references to both the Meurthe River (which flows through the remaining French territory) and the Moselle River (which now formed part of the German border), acknowledging the historical and geographical unity of the Lorraine region while recognizing the new political reality.

This historical context gives Avricourt and other communes in Meurthe-et-Moselle a distinctive character, as part of a region with deep historical ties to both French and German cultural influences. The border region has experienced multiple changes of national affiliation throughout history, contributing to a rich cultural heritage that distinguishes it from other French regions.

## 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. 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)
24. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File