# Belfort

> commune in Territoire de Belfort, France

**Wikidata**: [Q171545](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q171545)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belfort)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/belfort

## Summary
Belfort is a commune located in the Territoire de Belfort department in the Franche-Comté region of eastern France. It serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Belfort and is historically significant as the site of the famous Lion of Belfort sculpture and the defense of the city during the Franco-Prussian War. The commune is home to the Université de technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard, a prominent engineering school founded in 1994.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Location**: Territoire de Belfort department, France.
- **Coordinates**: 47.6375° N, 6.8627777777778° E.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 49,926; 49,519; 47,656; 46,954; 46,443; 45,458; 45,155; 45,646; and 45,912.
- **Website**: https://www.belfort.fr/
- **Wikidata ID**:  (implied by headquarters references).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Belfort.
- **Sitelink Count**: 84.
- **Administrative Subdivision**: Part of the arrondissement of Belfort.
- **Historical Inception**: The commune status aligns with the French territorial subdivision established around 1789.
- **Key Landmark**: Home to the Lion of Belfort, a sculpture by Auguste Bartholdi created in 1879.
- **Religious Sites**: Contains the Belfort Cathedral (inception 1727) and the Belfort Synagogue (inception 1857).
- **Military History**: Site of Fort du Salbert and Fort de Roppe (also known as Fort Ney, inception 1875).
- **Transportation Hubs**: Hosts Gare de Belfort, Gare de Trois-Chênes, and the Belfort – Montbéliard TGV station.
- **Education**: Headquarters of the Université de technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM), founded in 1994.
- **Sports**: Headquarters of the football club ASM Belfort (founded June 26, 1971).
- **Religious Administration**: Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard (inception November 3, 1979).
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (awarded April 2, 1915).
- **Canton History**: Formerly divided into cantons including Belfort-1, Belfort-2, Belfort-3, Belfort-Est, Belfort-Sud, Belfort-Nord, Belfort-Centre, and Belfort-Ouest; current cantons established March 22, 2015.
- **Cultural Entity**: Associated with the French progressive rock band Ange (founded January 1, 1970).
- **Aviation**: Location of the Belfort Chaux airfield.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status and location of Belfort?**
Belfort is a commune situated within the Territoire de Belfort department in France. It functions as the central hub for the arrondissement of Belfort and is geographically positioned at coordinates 47.6375° N, 6.8627777777778° E.

**Which major educational and cultural institutions are based in Belfort?**
The city hosts the Université de technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard, a public engineering university established in 1994. It is also the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard and the football club ASM Belfort.

**What historical landmarks and military structures define the city?**
Belfort is famous for the Lion of Belfort, a massive sculpture by Auguste Bartholdi unveiled in 1879. The city also contains significant fortifications such as Fort du Salbert and Fort de Roppe, and was honored with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for its defense.

**How has the city's administrative division evolved over time?**
The commune has been part of various cantonal structures, including the former cantons of Belfort-Est, Belfort-Sud, Belfort-Nord, Belfort-Centre, and Belfort-Ouest. In March 2015, these were reorganized into the current cantons of Belfort-1, Belfort-2, and Belfort-3.

**What transportation infrastructure serves the commune?**
Belfort is served by multiple railway stations, including the main Gare de Belfort, Gare de Trois-Chênes, and the high-speed Belfort – Montbéliard TGV station. The area also includes the Belfort Chaux airfield for aviation needs.

## Why It Matters
Belfort holds a unique place in French history and geography as a strategic stronghold that successfully resisted siege during the Franco-Prussian War, a feat commemorated by the iconic Lion of Belfort sculpture. Its significance extends beyond military history into modern education and technology, serving as the home to the Université de technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard, which drives engineering innovation in the Franche-Comté region. The city acts as a vital administrative and religious center, housing the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard and serving as the focal point for the Territoire de Belfort department. Furthermore, its recognition with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 underscores its enduring role in national defense and resilience.

## Notable For
- **The Lion of Belfort**: A monumental sculpture by Auguste Bartholdi, completed in 1879, symbolizing the city's resistance.
- **University Hub**: Headquarters of the Université de technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard, a key institution in French engineering education founded in 1994.
- **Military Heritage**: Site of Fort du Salbert and Fort de Roppe (Fort Ney), and recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918.
- **Religious Center**: Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard, established in 1979.
- **Sports History**: Home to ASM Belfort, a football club founded in 1971.
- **Cultural Connection**: Associated with the progressive rock band Ange, founded in 1970.
- **Transportation Node**: A convergence point for rail travel including the Belfort – Montbéliard TGV station and local stations like Gare de Trois-Chênes.
- **Architectural History**: Features the Belfort Cathedral (1727) and the Belfort Synagogue (1857).
- **Administrative Evolution**: A commune that has transitioned through multiple cantonal reorganizations, most recently in 2015.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Belfort is a commune located in the Territoire de Belfort department in France. Its precise geographic coordinates are 47.6375° N latitude and 6.8627777777778° E longitude. The commune serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Belfort. Historically, the commune status aligns with the French territorial subdivision for municipalities established in 1789. The population of the commune has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures including 49,926, 49,519, 47,656, 46,954, 46,443, 45,458, 45,155, 45,646, and 45,912. The entity is linked to 84 sitelinks across various language versions of Wikipedia.

### Historical Landmarks and Monuments
The city is globally recognized for the Lion of Belfort, a sculpture created by Auguste Bartholdi with an inception date of 1879. This monument stands as a testament to the city's defense history. The commune also houses significant religious architecture, including the Belfort Cathedral, which dates back to 1727, and the Belfort Synagogue, established in 1857. Military history is further preserved through the Fort du Salbert and Fort de Roppe, the latter also known as Fort Ney, which was established in 1875. The city's bravery during World War I was officially recognized with the awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915.

### Education and Research
Belfort is a major center for higher education, hosting the Université de technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard (UTBM). This French university of engineering was founded in 1994 and is located in the Franche-Comté region. UTBM operates as a public scientific, cultural, and professional establishment under the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research, with the UAI code 0900424X. The university is part of the Universities of Technology network and maintains affiliations with the FEMTO-ST Institute, the Fédération de Recherche FCLAB, and the Maison des sciences humaines et environnementales Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. It is also a member of the Conférence des Grandes Écoles, the Couperin Consortium, Renater, and the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie. The institution is linked to the HAL research platform with the identifier 300261.

### Religious and Civic Institutions
The city serves as the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belfort-Montbéliard, which was established on November 3, 1979. In the realm of sports, Belfort is the home of the football club ASM Belfort, which was founded on June 26, 1971. The commune also has cultural ties to the French progressive rock band Ange, which was formed on January 1, 1970. These institutions contribute to the social and cultural fabric of the city, alongside its role as an administrative hub.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
Belfort features a robust transportation network centered around several railway stations. These include the Gare de Belfort, Gare de Trois-Chênes, and the high-speed Belfort – Montbéliard TGV station. For aviation, the Belfort Chaux airfield is located within the commune's vicinity. The city's infrastructure supports its role as a regional center, connecting it to the broader French and European rail networks.

### Administrative Divisions and Cantons
The administrative structure of Belfort has evolved significantly over the years. Historically, the commune was divided into several cantons, including Belfort-Est, Belfort-Sud, Belfort-Nord, Belfort-Centre (established August 9, 1967), and Belfort-Ouest. A major reorganization occurred on March 22, 2015, resulting in the creation of the current cantons: Belfort-1, Belfort-2, and Belfort-3. These changes reflect the ongoing adaptation of local governance to demographic and administrative needs. The commune remains a key component of the Territoire de Belfort department, which itself was established on September 7, 1871.

### Digital Presence and Identification
The official website for the commune is https://www.belfort.fr/. The entity is identified in Wikidata with a sitelink count of 84 and is associated with the Wikipedia title "Belfort". The city's digital footprint includes its role as the headquarters for UTBM and other major institutions, reinforcing its status as a connected and modern French commune.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/town-twinning)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
24. [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)
25. Quora
26. YouTube API
27. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)