# Bas-Lieu

> commune in Nord, France

**Wikidata**: [Q546650](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q546650)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bas-Lieu)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bas-lieu

## Summary
Bas-Lieu is a commune located in the Nord department of France, within the Hauts-de-France region. It is a small municipality with a population fluctuating around 340–360 residents, situated in the former canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord and the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Bas-Lieu is in the Nord department, part of the Hauts-de-France region in northern France.
- **Population**: Historical population counts include 347, 357, 361, 349, 345, 344, 342, 339, 344, and 348 residents across different years.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.133888888889, longitude 3.9408333333333.
- **Administrative Division**: Formerly part of the canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord (until March 2015) and currently within the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe.
- **Department**: Nord, established on March 4, 1790.
- **Commune Classification**: A territorial subdivision of France, part of the municipal system established in 1789.
- **Image**: The town hall (mairie) of Bas-Lieu is depicted in a public domain image by Havang(nl), available on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 45 sitelinks, including a Wikipedia article titled "Bas-Lieu."

## FAQs
**Where is Bas-Lieu located?**
Bas-Lieu is a commune in the Nord department of France, within the Hauts-de-France region. It lies at coordinates 50.133888888889 latitude and 3.9408333333333 longitude.

**What is the population of Bas-Lieu?**
The population of Bas-Lieu has varied slightly over time, with recorded counts including 347, 357, 361, 349, 345, 344, 342, 339, 344, and 348 residents in different years.

**What administrative divisions is Bas-Lieu part of?**
Bas-Lieu is part of the Nord department, which was established on March 4, 1790. It was formerly in the canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord until March 2015 and is now within the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe.

**What is the history of the commune system in France?**
The commune system in France was established in 1789 as a territorial subdivision for municipalities. Bas-Lieu is one of these communes, functioning as a local administrative unit.

**Is there an image of Bas-Lieu available?**
Yes, an image of the Bas-Lieu town hall (mairie) is available on Wikimedia Commons under a public domain license (CC0), credited to Havang(nl).

## Why It Matters
Bas-Lieu represents the small-scale administrative and cultural fabric of rural France. As a commune, it plays a role in local governance, providing essential services and maintaining the identity of its community within the broader Nord department. Its existence reflects the decentralized structure of French administration, where even small municipalities have autonomy in managing local affairs. Additionally, Bas-Lieu contributes to the demographic and geographic diversity of the Hauts-de-France region, illustrating the varied landscapes and settlements that define northern France.

## Notable For
- **Small Population**: A rural commune with a population consistently around 340–360 residents, showcasing the demographic characteristics of small French municipalities.
- **Administrative History**: Part of the former canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord until its reorganization in 2015, highlighting changes in French local governance.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Precisely located at 50.133888888889 latitude and 3.9408333333333 longitude, marking its place in the Nord department.
- **Public Domain Image**: The town hall of Bas-Lieu is documented in a public domain photograph, providing visual representation of the commune’s infrastructure.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bas-Lieu is situated in the Nord department of France, within the Hauts-de-France region. The commune’s geographic coordinates are 50.133888888889 latitude and 3.9408333333333 longitude, placing it in northern France. The Nord department, established on March 4, 1790, is known for its industrial and agricultural landscapes, and Bas-Lieu contributes to this regional diversity as a small rural settlement.

### Administrative Structure
Bas-Lieu operates as a commune, a fundamental administrative division in France introduced in 1789. Communes are responsible for local governance, including public services, infrastructure, and community management. Historically, Bas-Lieu was part of the canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord until March 2015, when cantonal boundaries were redrawn. Currently, it falls under the arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe, which oversees multiple communes in the area.

The Nord department, where Bas-Lieu is located, is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution. It is part of the larger Hauts-de-France region, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy. This administrative structure ensures that Bas-Lieu is integrated into both local and regional governance frameworks.

### Demographics
The population of Bas-Lieu has experienced minor fluctuations over time, with recorded counts including 347, 357, 361, 349, 345, 344, 342, 339, 344, and 348 residents. These figures reflect the stability of small rural communes in France, where population changes are typically gradual. The demographic profile of Bas-Lieu aligns with that of many French villages, characterized by a close-knit community and a focus on local traditions and governance.

### Visual Representation
An image of the Bas-Lieu town hall (mairie) is available on Wikimedia Commons, providing a visual representation of the commune’s administrative center. The photograph, taken by Havang(nl), is licensed under CC0 (public domain), making it freely accessible for educational and informational purposes. The town hall serves as a symbol of local governance and community identity in Bas-Lieu.

### Related Administrative Entities
Bas-Lieu is connected to several administrative entities within France’s governance system:
- **Nord Department**: The broader administrative region encompassing Bas-Lieu, established in 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Avesnes-sur-Helpe**: The administrative district overseeing Bas-Lieu and neighboring communes.
- **Former Canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord**: The previous cantonal division that included Bas-Lieu until its dissolution in 2015.

These connections highlight the layered administrative structure of France, where communes, cantons, arrondissements, and departments interact to manage local and regional affairs.

### Historical Context
The commune system in France, of which Bas-Lieu is a part, was established in 1789 during the French Revolution. This system replaced earlier feudal structures with a more centralized and uniform administrative framework. The Nord department, where Bas-Lieu is located, was created on March 4, 1790, as part of this reform. Over time, administrative boundaries have evolved, such as the dissolution of the canton of Avesnes-sur-Helpe-Nord in 2015, reflecting ongoing changes in French governance.

### Cultural and Community Role
As a small commune, Bas-Lieu plays a vital role in preserving local culture and community life. It contributes to the broader cultural landscape of the Nord department and the Hauts-de-France region, where rural traditions and local governance are integral to regional identity. The town hall, depicted in the public domain image, serves as a focal point for community activities and administrative functions.

### Conclusion
Bas-Lieu exemplifies the small-scale administrative units that form the backbone of France’s local governance system. Its geographic location, demographic stability, and administrative connections underscore its role within the Nord department and the broader Hauts-de-France region. The availability of a public domain image of its town hall further enhances its visibility and cultural representation.

## 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 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)