# Bathernay

> commune in Drôme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q603414](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q603414)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathernay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bathernay

## Summary

Bathernay is a commune located in the Drôme department in the southeastern France region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Situated at coordinates 45.179444444444°N, 4.9941666666667°E, the municipality belongs to the canton of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse and the arrondissement of Valence. As a commune of France, Bathernay operates under the administrative structure of the French Republic and is part of one of the country's 18 administrative regions.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Drôme department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Canton**: Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse
- **Arrondissement**: Valence
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 45.179444444444°N latitude, 4.9941666666667°E longitude
- **Administrative status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision established +1789-00-00T00:00:00Z)
- **Department inception**: Drôme established March 4, 1790
- **Population**: Approximately 221 residents (most recent figure from provided data)
- **Website**: http://bathernay.fr
- **Wikipedia title**: Bathernay
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Drôme, France
- **Sitelink count**: 41

## FAQs

**What region is Bathernay located in?**

Bathernay is located in the Drôme department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. The commune falls within the canton of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse and the administrative arrondissement of Valence.

**What type of administrative area is Bathernay?**

Bathernay is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the fundamental unit of local government in the French administrative system.

**What is the population of Bathernay?**

Based on the provided population data, Bathernay has a population of approximately 221 residents according to the most recent figure. Historical population figures in the dataset show numbers ranging from 154 to 257 residents across various census periods.

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

Bathernay is situated at latitude 45.179444444444°N and longitude 4.9941666666667°E, placing it in the southeastern portion of France within the Drôme department.

**What is the administrative structure of Bathernay?**

Bathernay operates within the French departmental system, being part of Drôme (a French department established on March 4, 1790). It is administered at the canton level through Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse and at the arrondissement level through Valence. As a commune, it is a unit of local government within the unitary French state.

## Why It Matters

Bathernay represents the fundamental unit of local governance in France, embodying the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes the French Republic. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, Bathernay plays a crucial role in delivering public services, maintaining local infrastructure, and representing the interests of its residents at the municipal level. The commune system, dating back to 1789, is a cornerstone of French democracy, providing citizens with direct local representation and autonomy within the centralized state framework.

The significance of Bathernay also lies in its position within the Drôme department, which is part of the historically rich Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This area is known for its agricultural production, particularly of lavender, olive oil, and wines, as well as its diverse topography ranging from the Alpine foothills to the Rhône valley. Communes like Bathernay contribute to the social fabric and economic diversity of this region.

From a broader perspective, Bathernay exemplifies the French commitment to maintaining a granular administrative structure that ensures local governance remains accessible to citizens. This municipal level of administration handles matters such as local urban planning, civil registration, local taxation, and community facilities, making it directly relevant to the daily lives of its residents.

## Notable For

- **Municipal autonomy**: As a French commune, Bathernay maintains local governance powers despite France's unitary state structure
- **Historical administrative continuity**: Part of the Drôme department established during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Local representation**: Belongs to the canton of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse, providing residents with representation at the departmental level
- **Digital presence**: Maintains an official municipal website at http://bathernay.fr

## Body

### Geography and Location

Bathernay is positioned at coordinates 45.179444444444°N latitude and 4.9941666666667°E longitude, placing it in the southeastern region of France. The commune is located within the Drôme department, which itself is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region. This area of France is characterized by diverse geography, including mountainous terrain to the east transitioning into the Rhône River valley to the west.

The commune's location within the canton of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse places it in a region known for its agricultural significance and rural character. The broader Drôme department encompasses both mountainous areas of the Prealps and fertile valley lands along the Rhône, contributing to the department's agricultural diversity.

### Administrative Structure

Bathernay operates within France's hierarchical administrative system. At the most local level, it is a commune—the fundamental territorial collectivity in France, established by decree on December 14, 1789, during the French Revolution. The commune serves as the primary unit of local government, responsible for municipal services and administration.

Above the communal level, Bathernay belongs to the canton of Saint-Donat-sur-l'Herbasse. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for departmental elections and provide a middle tier of representation between communes and the department. The canton system allows for localized representation while maintaining connection to broader departmental governance.

At the departmental level, Bathernay is part of Drôme, a French department created on March 4, 1790, during the early Revolutionary period. Drôme is one of France's 96 metropolitan departments and is governed by the departmental council from the prefecture in Valence. The arrondissement of Valence serves as the administrative subdivision overseeing Bathernay's departmental affairs, coordinating state services and implementing national policies at the local level.

### Demographics and Population

Based on the population data provided, Bathernay has experienced fluctuations in its resident population over time. The most recent figure recorded shows approximately 221 residents. Historical population data indicates variations between 154 and 257 residents across different census periods, suggesting modest population changes consistent with rural communes in the region.

The population trends reflect broader patterns observed in many rural French communes, where population may fluctuate due to factors including economic opportunities, housing availability, and quality of life considerations. As a small commune, Bathernay's population size places it among the smaller municipalities in the Drôme department and France more generally.

### Local Governance and Services

As a commune of France, Bathernay operates under the municipal council system established by French law. The mayor and municipal council are responsible for local administration, including civil status registration, local urban planning, maintenance of communal roads and public spaces, and management of municipal facilities.

The commune maintains an official web presence through http://bathernay.fr, providing residents and visitors with information about local services, administrative procedures, and community matters. This digital presence reflects the modern approach to municipal communication and public service delivery adopted by French communes of all sizes.

### Historical Context

The establishment of Bathernay as a commune connects to the broader revolutionary transformation of French administrative structure in 1789. The commune system replaced the previous parochial and seigniorial divisions, creating a uniform system of local governance based on the principles of equality and representation.

Drôme department's creation in 1790 placed Bathernay within one of the original departments formed during the Revolutionary period, reflecting the Enlightenment-era principle of rational administrative organization. The department's boundaries were drawn to facilitate efficient governance and equitable representation, criteria that continue to define French departmental organization today.

### Relationship to Broader Administrative Entities

Bathernay exists within a nested hierarchy of French administrative divisions. At the national level, France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with a constitution established on October 4, 1958, founding the Fifth Republic. The country is divided into 18 administrative regions, with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes being the region encompassing Drôme.

At the departmental level, France comprises 96 metropolitan departments plus overseas departments and territories. Drôme, created in 1790, represents one of the historical departments formed from the former province of Dauphiné. The department's prefecture is located in Valence, which also serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement containing Bathernay.

The commune structure represents the most granular level of French administration, with approximately 34,970 communes across the national territory. This extensive network of municipalities provides citizens with accessible local governance while maintaining connection to the centralized French state through the departmental and regional administrative layers.

## 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)