# Ballaison

> commune in Haute-Savoie, France

**Wikidata**: [Q659141](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q659141)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballaison)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ballaison

## Summary
Ballaison is a commune located in the Haute-Savoie department of France, within the arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains. It is a small municipality with a population fluctuating around 1,470–1,499 residents, situated in the eastern part of the country near the Swiss border.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Ballaison is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department, France, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
- **Administrative Division**: It belongs to the arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains and was previously part of the Canton of Douvaine until March 2015.
- **Population**: Estimated between 1,460 and 1,499 residents (various recent counts).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 46.299166666667, Longitude 6.3291666666667.
- **Website**: Official commune website at [https://ballaison.fr](https://ballaison.fr).
- **Inception of Haute-Savoie**: The department of Haute-Savoie was established on June 14, 1860.
- **Commune System**: Ballaison operates under France’s commune system, a local administrative division introduced in 1789.
- **Sitelink Count**: The commune has 41 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects.

## FAQs
**Where is Ballaison located?**
Ballaison is situated in the Haute-Savoie department of France, within the arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains. It lies in the eastern part of the country, near the Swiss border, at coordinates 46.299°N, 6.329°E.

**What is the population of Ballaison?**
The population of Ballaison varies slightly across recent estimates, ranging from 1,460 to 1,499 residents. These figures reflect its status as a small rural commune in the French Alps region.

**What administrative divisions is Ballaison part of?**
Ballaison is part of the Haute-Savoie department, which was created in 1860. It falls under the arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains and was previously included in the Canton of Douvaine until a 2015 administrative reorganization.

**How does Ballaison fit into France’s local government structure?**
As a commune, Ballaison is the smallest administrative division in France, governed by a municipal council and mayor. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution to replace earlier feudal structures.

**What is the official website for Ballaison?**
The commune’s official website is [https://ballaison.fr](https://ballaison.fr), providing local information, services, and updates for residents and visitors.

## Why It Matters
Ballaison represents the foundational unit of French local governance, embodying the decentralized administrative structure that has shaped rural life in France since the Revolution. As part of Haute-Savoie, it contributes to the cultural and economic fabric of the French Alps, a region known for its tourism, agriculture, and proximity to Switzerland. The commune’s small size and stability reflect the enduring role of local municipalities in preserving regional identity, managing public services, and fostering community cohesion. Its inclusion in the arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains and former Canton of Douvaine highlights the layered administrative framework that balances local autonomy with broader regional governance.

## Notable For
- **Historical Administrative Role**: Part of the Canton of Douvaine until its dissolution in 2015, illustrating France’s evolving local governance.
- **Alpine Location**: Situated in Haute-Savoie, a department renowned for its mountainous landscapes, lakes, and tourism.
- **Stable Population**: Maintains a consistent population of around 1,470–1,499, typical of small French communes.
- **Local Governance**: Operates under France’s historic commune system, a model of decentralized administration since 1789.
- **Proximity to Switzerland**: Located near the Swiss border, benefiting from cross-border economic and cultural exchanges.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Ballaison is located in the Haute-Savoie department of France, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The commune lies at coordinates 46.299166666667°N, 6.3291666666667°E, placing it in the eastern part of the country near the Swiss border. This position situates it within the broader Alpine landscape, characterized by mountains, lakes, and valleys. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains, a sub-prefecture known for its proximity to Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and its role as a regional administrative center.

### Administrative Structure
Ballaison operates as a commune, the smallest administrative division in France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing earlier feudal and ecclesiastical structures with a uniform local government model. As a commune, Ballaison is governed by a municipal council (*conseil municipal*) and a mayor (*maire*), elected by local residents. The commune was historically part of the Canton of Douvaine, a larger administrative grouping, until the canton’s dissolution in March 2015 as part of a nationwide territorial reform aimed at reducing administrative costs and improving efficiency.

The department of Haute-Savoie, where Ballaison is located, was created on June 14, 1860, following the Treaty of Turin, which transferred the Duchy of Savoy from the Kingdom of Sardinia to France. Haute-Savoie is one of France’s 101 departments and is known for its Alpine geography, winter sports, and cross-border ties with Switzerland.

### Demographics
Ballaison has a small and relatively stable population, with recent estimates ranging from 1,460 to 1,499 residents. This population size is typical of rural communes in the French Alps, where communities are often centered around agriculture, tourism, or local services. The demographic stability reflects the commune’s role as a residential and agricultural hub rather than a rapidly growing urban area.

### Historical Context
The commune system, under which Ballaison operates, was introduced in 1789 as part of the French Revolution’s administrative reforms. These reforms aimed to create a rational, uniform system of local governance across France, replacing the patchwork of feudal and provincial structures. The creation of Haute-Savoie in 1860 marked a significant expansion of French territory into the Alps, incorporating regions with distinct cultural and linguistic traditions, including Savoyard dialects and influences from neighboring Switzerland.

### Related Administrative Entities
- **Haute-Savoie**: The department in which Ballaison is located, established in 1860 and known for its Alpine landscapes and tourism.
- **Arrondissement of Thonon-les-Bains**: The administrative district overseeing Ballaison, centered around the town of Thonon-les-Bains on Lake Geneva.
- **Canton of Douvaine**: The former administrative division that included Ballaison until its dissolution in 2015.
- **Commune of France**: The broader system of local governance to which Ballaison belongs, characterized by municipal councils and mayors.

### Infrastructure and Services
As a small commune, Ballaison provides essential local services, including primary education, waste management, and road maintenance. The commune’s official website ([https://ballaison.fr](https://ballaison.fr)) serves as a central hub for residents to access information on municipal services, events, and administrative procedures. The website likely includes details on local schools, public transportation, and community initiatives, though specific features are not detailed in the source material.

### Cultural and Economic Role
Ballaison’s location in Haute-Savoie places it within a region economically driven by tourism, agriculture, and small-scale industry. The commune likely benefits from the broader appeal of the French Alps, attracting visitors for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and lake-based recreation. Agriculturally, the area may produce dairy products, wine, or other local specialties typical of Savoyard cuisine.

### Connections to Switzerland
Given its proximity to the Swiss border, Ballaison may engage in cross-border economic and cultural exchanges. The Haute-Savoie department, and particularly the Thonon-les-Bains area, has historical and ongoing ties with Swiss cantons such as Geneva and Vaud. These connections can facilitate trade, employment, and cultural collaboration, enhancing the commune’s regional integration.

### Summary of Key Data Points
- **Population**: 1,460–1,499 residents.
- **Coordinates**: 46.299166666667°N, 6.3291666666667°E.
- **Department**: Haute-Savoie (established 1860).
- **Arrondissement**: Thonon-les-Bains.
- **Former Canton**: Douvaine (until 2015).
- **Commune System**: Established in 1789.
- **Website**: [https://ballaison.fr](https://ballaison.fr).
- **Sitelinks**: 41 across Wikimedia projects.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. répertoire géographique des communes
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)