# Bernardswiller

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21247](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21247)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernardswiller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bernardswiller

## Summary

Bernardswiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Situated at coordinates 48.453333°N latitude and 7.464444°E longitude, the commune falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein. As a French commune, Bernardswiller serves as a territorial subdivision of France, which itself is a unitary semi-presidential republic and a founding member of the European Union.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Bernardswiller is situated in the Bas-Rhin administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace, France
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein
- **Country**: France — a semi-presidential republic and founding member of the EU (since March 25, 1957)
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin — French administrative district established on March 4, 1790, with headquarters in Strasbourg
- **Region**: Alsace — European Collectivity with historical ties to both France and Germany
- **Commune Status**: As a commune of France, Bernardswiller is a territorial subdivision for municipalities (communes established since 1789)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.453333333333°N, Longitude 7.4644444444444°E
- **Population**: 1,473 (most recent figure); historical figures include 1,467; 1,460; 1,501; 1,455; 1,446; 1,437; 1,451; 1,459; 1,466
- **Website**: https://www.bernardswiller.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Bernardswiller
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 47

## FAQs

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

Bernardswiller is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. Communes have existed since 1789 and serve as the fundamental unit of local administration in the French Republic.

**Which department and region is Bernardswiller located in?**

Bernardswiller is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the Alsace region in northeastern France. Bas-Rhin is one of the two departments in the European Collectivity of Alsace, established on March 4, 1790, with its administrative headquarters in Strasbourg.

**What arrondissement does Bernardswiller belong to?**

Bernardswiller is part of the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, an administrative division of France that groups communes together for certain governmental purposes.

**What is the population of Bernardswiller?**

The most recent recorded population of Bernardswiller is 1,473 inhabitants. Historical population figures show fluctuations between approximately 1,437 and 1,501 residents across recent years.

**What country is Bernardswiller in?**

Bernardswiller is located in France, a semi-presidential republic and unitary state. France is a founding member of the European Union (since 1957), a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and a member of NATO since 1949. The country operates under the constitution of the Fifth Republic, established on October 4, 1958.

## Why It Matters

Bernardswiller represents the granular administrative structure that forms the foundation of French local governance. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, it embodies the country's commitment to decentralized administration where local municipalities maintain significant autonomy within the unitary state framework. The commune system, dating back to 1789, ensures that even small settlements have a recognized administrative identity and can participate in local governance.

Located in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace, Bernardswiller sits in a region of significant historical and cultural importance. Alsace has a unique heritage, having changed hands between France and Germany multiple times throughout history, which has shaped its distinct cultural identity, bilingualism, and architectural traditions. The department of Bas-Rhin, with its capital in Strasbourg (also the seat of the European Parliament), represents a key area of European integration and cross-border cooperation.

For researchers, policymakers, and those studying French administrative structures, Bernardswiller serves as an example of how France maintains its highly decentralized yet unified approach to governance. The commune system allows for local representation while maintaining national coherence, a model that has influenced administrative structures worldwide.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Structure**: Part of France's extensive commune system, which is unique in Europe for its granularity and uniform organization
- **Alsace Location**: Situated in Bas-Rhin, one of the two departments comprising the European Collectivity of Alsace, a region of significant geopolitical importance in European history
- **Strasbourg Proximity**: Located in the same department as Strasbourg, which serves as an institutional center for Europe (seat of the European Parliament, Council of Europe, and European Court of Human Rights)
- **Local Governance**: Represents the lowest level of French administrative organization, directly serving its residents through municipal government

## Body

### Geography and Location

Bernardswiller is positioned at coordinates 48.453333333333°N latitude and 7.4644444444444°E longitude, placing it in the northeastern portion of France. The commune lies within the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the Alsace region that borders Germany to the east. This positioning places Bernardswiller in the heart of the Upper Rhine region, an area characterized by the Rhine River valley, fertile plains, and the Vosges mountains to the west.

The commune falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department. This arrondissement groups together numerous communes in the central portion of Bas-Rhin, facilitating regional coordination and administrative functions.

### Administrative Context

Bernardswiller operates as a commune of France, which is the French term for a municipality and the lowest level of administrative division in the country. The commune as an administrative unit was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Today, France is divided into approximately 34,970 communes, each serving as a territorial collectivity with its own municipal council, mayor, and local administration.

The commune is situated within the Bas-Rhin department, one of the two departments (along with Haut-Rhin) that comprise the European Collectivity of Alsace. Bas-Rhin was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, as part of the reorganization of France's administrative divisions. The department's capital is Strasbourg, which is also the prefecture (administrative headquarters) of the Bas-Rhin department.

### Historical Background

The territory of Bernardswiller, like all French communes, has its legal identity rooted in the revolutionary period of 1789 when the old regime's administrative structures were abolished and replaced with a uniform system of municipalities. This transformation marked the beginning of modern local governance in France, establishing the principle that communes serve as the fundamental units of democratic representation and local administration.

The Alsace region, where Bernardswiller is located, has a complex history characterized by cultural exchange and territorial changes between France and German-speaking states. The region was annexed by Germany following the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) and remained under German control until the end of World War I in 1918. It was again annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II (1940-1944) before being returned to France after the war. This historical context has shaped the region's distinctive bilingual (French and German/Alsatian) character and its strong European identity.

### Population and Demographics

The population of Bernardswiller has shown relative stability in recent years, with recorded figures fluctuating between approximately 1,437 and 1,501 inhabitants. The most recent population figure available is 1,473 residents. These population figures place Bernardswiller among the smaller communes in France, reflecting the rural and semi-rural character of many municipalities in the Bas-Rhin department outside the major urban centers.

The population trends for Bernardswiller are consistent with broader patterns observed in rural and semi-rural areas of Alsace, where many small communes maintain stable populations due to their quality of life, connection to agricultural activities, and proximity to larger urban centers like Strasbourg and Colmar.

### Institutional Framework

As a French commune, Bernardswiller operates under the framework of French municipal law, which grants communes considerable autonomy in managing local affairs. The municipal council, elected by residents, makes decisions on local matters such as urban planning, local taxes, municipal services, and community facilities. The mayor serves as both the head of the municipal council and the representative of the central government at the local level.

The commune is part of the French administrative hierarchy that includes the department (Bas-Rhin), the region (Grand Est), and the national government in Paris. This multi-level system allows for both local autonomy and national coordination, characteristic of France's unitary state structure.

### Regional Context: Alsace and Bas-Rhin

Bernardswiller's location in the Bas-Rhin department places it in one of France's most economically dynamic and culturally distinctive regions. Alsace is known for its vineyards, half-timbered houses, Christmas markets, and gastronomy (including wines, beer, and flammekueche). The region has also become a hub for European institutions, with Strasbourg hosting the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights.

The Bas-Rhin department encompasses both the urban area of Strasbourg and numerous rural communes like Bernardswiller. The department's economy benefits from its strategic location on the Rhine River, its strong industrial base (including automotive, chemical, and technology sectors), and its agricultural productivity.

### Connection to National and International Structures

As part of France, Bernardswiller is indirectly connected to France's position as a major global power. France is a founding member of the European Union (since 1957), a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council with veto power, and a member of NATO since 1949. The country possesses nuclear weapons and has significant cultural, economic, and diplomatic influence worldwide.

At the European level, Bernardswiller benefits from France's membership in the Schengen Area (which allows free movement across European borders) and the Eurozone (using the Euro as currency). The commune's location near the German border also facilitates cross-border cooperation and economic exchange within the Upper Rhine region.

### Local Infrastructure and Services

While specific details about Bernardswiller's local infrastructure are not provided in the source material, French communes of this size typically provide essential services including municipal administration, local roads, primary education facilities, and basic public services. The commune's website (https://www.bernardswiller.fr) would contain more detailed information about local services and facilities.

The broader Bas-Rhin department offers additional services and facilities at the departmental level, including secondary education, road infrastructure, and social services, with the prefecture in Strasbourg coordinating these functions across the department.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q781132)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)