# Barchain > commune in Moselle, France **Wikidata**: [Q21915](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21915) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barchain) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/barchain ## Summary Barchain is a commune in the Moselle department of northeastern France, located in the Grand Est region. It is a small rural municipality situated in the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins, approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Sarrebourg. As a French commune, Barchain operates as a territorial subdivision within the French Republic and participates in the departmental governance structures of Moselle. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Barchain is situated in the Moselle department, Grand Est region, northeastern France - **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.707222222222°, Longitude 6.9622222222222° - **Administrative Status**: Commune in the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins (since January 1, 2016) - **Historical Administrative Context**: Previously part of the arrondissement of Sarrebourg; Meurthe department (established March 4, 1790); Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine, established May 20, 1871) - **Country**: France - **Population**: Historical population figures include 109, 109, 112, 110, 110, 95, 99, 109, 101, 99, 108, 111, 112, 111, 109, 101, and 94 (various census years) - **Image**: Municipal building (mairie) photographed by Havang(nl), released under CC0/public domain license - **Wikipedia Title**: Barchain - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Moselle, France - **Sitelink Count**: 41 (Wikipedia references) - **Wikidata Item Count**: 83 (related to commune of France category) ## FAQs **What region and department is Barchain located in?** Barchain is located in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, specifically within the Moselle department. It belongs to the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins, which was reorganized on January 1, 2016. **What is the historical administrative background of Barchain?** Barchain's administrative territory has evolved through several changes. It was originally part of the Meurthe department established in 1790. During the period of German annexation following the Franco-Prussian War, it fell under the Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine) in 1871. After World War I, the territory returned to French administration as part of Moselle. **What are the geographical coordinates of Barchain?** Barchain is positioned at latitude 48.707222222222° and longitude 6.9622222222222°, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the German border region. **What type of administrative entity is Barchain in France?** Barchain is a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial administrative division in France. Communes are analogous to municipalities and serve as the fundamental unit of local government, similar to towns or townships in other countries. **What is the population of Barchain?** Barchain is a small commune with population figures recorded in the range of 94 to 112 residents across various census years, indicating a stable small rural community in the Moselle department. ## Why It Matters Barchain represents the quintessential French rural commune that forms the backbone of local governance in France. Though small in population, it embodies the French administrative tradition of maintaining local municipal structures even in sparsely populated areas. The commune system in France, which dates back to 1789, ensures that citizens have direct local representation and that public services are administered at the most local level possible. The significance of Barchain also lies in its location in Moselle, a department with a complex historical identity. Moselle has transitioned between French and German sovereignty multiple times throughout history, most notably after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 and again after World War I and World War II. This historical context makes Barchain part of a region with a unique bilingual cultural heritage and cross-border connections with Germany. As part of the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins, Barchain contributes to the administrative organization of rural northeastern France. The commune participates in intercommunal structures that coordinate services such as waste management, public transportation, and economic development across multiple municipalities. This collective organization allows small communes like Barchain to access resources and services that would be impractical to provide independently. ## Notable For - **Historical Territorial Evolution**: Barchain's administrative history reflects the complex territorial changes in the Alsace-Lorraine region, having been part of Meurthe department, the German District of Alsace-Lorraine, and current Moselle department - **Rural Character**: Maintains the traditional rural commune structure typical of small French municipalities - **Cross-Border Region Location**: Situated in the French-German border region with cultural and historical ties to both nations - **Administrative Reorganization**: Part of the 2016 administrative reorganization that created the new arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins from the former arrondissement of Sarrebourg ## Body ### Geography and Location Barchain is geographically positioned at coordinates 48.707222222222° latitude and 6.9622222222222° longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of the Moselle department. The commune lies approximately 15 kilometers southeast of Sarrebourg, the principal town of the arrondissement. The terrain consists of the rolling hills and agricultural land characteristic of the Lorraine plateau region, which extends into this part of northeastern France. The commune's location near the German border places it within a region that has experienced significant political and cultural exchange throughout history. The landscape around Barchain consists primarily of farmland and small woodland areas, typical of rural Lorraine. The proximity to Sarrebourg provides residents with access to larger commercial, administrative, and cultural services while maintaining the peaceful character of rural living. ### Administrative History The administrative status of Barchain reflects the complex political history of the Alsace-Lorraine region. Following the French Revolution, France was reorganized into departments in 1790, with Barchain becoming part of the Meurthe department established on March 4, 1790. This departmental organization replaced the old provincial system of the Ancien Régime. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, the Alsace-Lorraine region was annexed by the German Empire. On May 20, 1871, the German authorities established the Bezirk Lothringen (District of Alsace-Lorraine), which included Barchain and surrounding areas. This German administration lasted until the end of World War I, when the territory returned to France in 1918. Following World War I, the department of Moselle was re-established within France, and Barchain became part of this department. The commune was subsequently included in the arrondissement of Sarrebourg. On January 1, 2016, as part of a nationwide administrative reorganization, the former arrondissement of Sarrebourg was merged with the arrondissement of Château-Salins to form the new arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins, which now includes Barchain. ### Demographics and Population Barchain exemplifies the small rural commune characteristic of the French departmental system. Population figures recorded across various census years show numbers ranging from 94 to 112 residents, indicating a stable but modest population typical of rural areas in eastern France. These population levels are consistent with other small communes in the rural portions of the Moselle department. The commune maintains the traditional French municipal structure with a mayor and municipal council, providing local governance and public services to residents. The small population allows for close community ties and a rural lifestyle that contrasts with the urbanized portions of the department closer to Metz and the German border. ### Cultural and Community Life As a French commune, Barchain participates in the broader cultural and administrative framework of the French Republic. The commune likely maintains traditional French institutions such as the mairie (town hall), which serves as the center of local administration. The municipal building, photographed and documented with the image showing the Barchain mairie, represents the civic heart of the community. The commune's location in Moselle places it within a region known for its distinctive cultural heritage. The department has retained elements of both French and German cultural influence, visible in local architecture, cuisine, and dialect. The nearby town of Sarrebourg serves as a cultural and commercial hub for the surrounding rural communes. ### Intercommunal Structure Small communes like Barchain often participate in intercommunal associations (syndicats intercommunaux or communautés de communes) that coordinate services across multiple municipalities. These intercommunal structures allow rural communes to share resources and provide services that would be impractical to maintain independently. Services typically include waste collection and disposal, public transportation, economic development initiatives, and maintenance of secondary roads. The arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins, to which Barchain belongs, encompasses both the urban center of Sarrebourg and surrounding rural communes. This administrative organization facilitates coordination between urban and rural areas while respecting the autonomy of individual communes. ### Historical Significance The history of Barchain is inextricably linked to the broader history of the Alsace-Lorraine region, one of the most contested territories in European history. The region has changed national sovereignty multiple times: part of the Holy Roman Empire, then France from 1648, annexed by Germany in 1871, returned to France after World War I, annexed by Germany again in 1940, and finally returned to France after World War II. This complex history has left lasting marks on the region's identity, architecture, and social structure. Communes like Barchain serve as living reminders of this turbulent past while continuing to function as modern French municipalities within the European Union. The preservation of French administrative structures in this border region demonstrates the resilience of local governance through periods of conflict and political change. ### Connection to French Administrative System Barchain represents the fundamental unit of French territorial organization—the commune. With over 35,000 communes in France, this system is one of the most decentralized in Europe. Each commune, regardless of size, has the same legal status and powers, including the ability to levy local taxes, manage municipal property, and provide basic public services. The commune of France category encompasses all municipalities in the French Republic, from major cities like Paris to small rural communes like Barchain. This uniform system ensures consistent local governance across the entire national territory while allowing for significant variation in local characteristics and population sizes. ## 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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 12. Populations légales 2019 13. Populations légales 2020 14. Populations légales 2021 15. Populations de référence 2022 16. Populations de référence 2023 17. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 19. GeoNames 20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 21. [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) 22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)