# Bazoches-au-Houlme

> commune in Orne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q617764](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q617764)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazoches-au-Houlme)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bazoches-au-houlme

## Summary
Bazoches-au-Houlme is a commune in the Orne department of Normandy, France. It is a small rural municipality with a population that has gradually declined over recent decades. The commune is part of the canton of Putanges-Pont-Écrepin and the arrondissement of Argentan.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Orne department, Normandy, France.
- **Type**: Commune (France territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Population (historical)**: 508 (2010), 485 (2011), 483 (2012), 468 (2013), 465 (2014), 457 (2015), 456 (2016, 2017), 455 (2018), 449 (2020).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.8175, Longitude -0.24055555555556.
- **Canton**: Putanges-Pont-Écrepin.
- **Arrondissement**: Argentan.
- **Department**: Orne.
- **Region**: Normandy.
- **Country**: France.
- **Aliases**: Bazoches.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Bazoches-au-Houlme.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Orne, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 41.

## FAQs

**What is Bazoches-au-Houlme?**  
Bazoches-au-Houlme is a commune located in the Orne department within the Normandy region of France. It is a small rural municipality with a declining population.

**Where is Bazoches-au-Houlme located?**  
It is situated in the canton of Putanges-Pont-Écrepin, within the arrondissement of Argentan, in the Orne department of Normandy, France.

**What is the population trend of Bazoches-au-Houlme?**  
The population has steadily decreased from 508 in 2010 to 449 in 2020, indicating a demographic decline over the past decade.

**What administrative divisions does Bazoches-au-Houlme belong to?**  
It belongs to the canton of Putanges-Pont-Écrepin, the arrondissement of Argentan, and the department of Orne, all within the French administrative structure.

**What is the geographic location of Bazoches-au-Houlme?**  
Its geographic coordinates are approximately 48.8175° N (latitude) and -0.24055555555556° E (longitude).

**Is Bazoches-au-Houlme part of any larger political or administrative regions?**  
Yes, it is part of the Normandy region and the Orne department, which are both administrative divisions of France.

## Why It Matters
Bazoches-au-Houlme represents a typical small rural commune in France, offering insight into the demographic and administrative dynamics of rural areas in Normandy. Its steady population decline reflects broader trends in rural depopulation across France. As part of the French communal system, it contributes to the decentralized governance structure of the French Republic, embodying local identity and regional administration.

## Notable For
- **Rural Demographics**: Exemplifies the population decline affecting many rural French communes.
- **Administrative Structure**: Represents the layered governance of France through its inclusion in a canton, arrondissement, and department.
- **Historical Continuity**: Maintains its identity as a commune since the French communal system was established in 1789.
- **Geographic Positioning**: Located in Normandy, a historically and culturally significant region of France.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bazoches-au-Houlme is a commune in the Orne department of the Normandy region in northwestern France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately latitude 48.8175 and longitude -0.24055555555556. The commune is part of the canton of Putanges-Pont-Écrepin and the arrondissement of Argentan, both subdivisions of the Orne department. The area is characterized by rural Normandy landscapes, with agricultural land and small settlements typical of the region.

### Administrative Context
As a commune, Bazoches-au-Houlme is the smallest administrative division in France. It falls under the jurisdiction of:
- **Canton**: Putanges-Pont-Écrepin
- **Arrondissement**: Argentan
- **Department**: Orne
- **Region**: Normandy
- **Country**: France

The commune system in France was established in 1789, and Bazoches-au-Houlme continues to function within this framework, contributing to France’s decentralized governance model.

### Demographics
The population of Bazoches-au-Houlme has shown a consistent decline over the past decade:
- 2010: 508
- 2011: 485
- 2012: 483
- 2013: 468
- 2014: 465
- 2015: 457
- 2016: 456
- 2017: 456
- 2018: 455
- 2020: 449

This demographic trend reflects broader rural depopulation in France, where younger residents often migrate to urban centers for employment and education.

### Governance and Political Structure
Bazoches-au-Houlme, like all French communes, is governed by a mayor and a municipal council. It is part of the larger administrative hierarchy:
- **Canton**: Putanges-Pont-Écrepin – a local electoral and administrative division.
- **Arrondissement**: Argentan – an intermediate administrative division between the department and the canton.
- **Department**: Orne – established in 1790, part of the Normandy region since 2016.
- **Region**: Normandy – formed through regional consolidation in 2016.

This structure allows for local governance while maintaining integration with national policies and services.

### Cultural and Historical Context
Bazoches-au-Houlme, though small, is part of the rich cultural tapestry of Normandy, a region known for its historical significance, including its role in the D-Day landings and its medieval heritage. The commune’s identity is tied to this regional history, even if it does not have singularly notable historical events attributed to it.

### Economic and Social Aspects
The commune's economy is predominantly rural, likely centered around agriculture and small local businesses. With a declining population, economic sustainability and community services may present ongoing challenges. The area’s integration into the broader French social and economic system ensures access to national services, despite its small size.

### Related Entities and Connections
- **Orne Department**: Established in 1790, it is one of the five departments of Normandy.
- **Arrondissement of Argentan**: An administrative unit overseeing multiple cantons and communes.
- **Canton of Putanges-Pont-Écrepin**: A local electoral division that includes Bazoches-au-Houlme.
- **Normandy Region**: A historically and culturally rich area of France, now a consolidated administrative region.

These connections situate Bazoches-au-Houlme within the broader framework of French governance and regional identity.

## 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. MusicBrainz
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. [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. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)