# Bezange-la-Grande

> commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q230171](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230171)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bezange-la-Grande)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bezange-la-grande

## Summary
Bezange-la-Grande is a commune located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of northeastern France. It is part of the arrondissement of Lunéville and the canton of Arracourt, with a small population and rural character typical of the Lorraine region.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune of France
- **Location**: Meurthe-et-Moselle department, Grand Est region, France
- **Arrondissement**: Lunéville
- **Canton**: Arracourt
- **Population (recent)**: 169
- **Historical Population Range**: 157–203
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.7461, Longitude 6.4739
- **Image Source**: Havang(nl), licensed under CC0 (public domain)
- **Wikidata Description**: "commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France"
- **Sitelink Count**: 40
- **Wikipedia Title**: Bezange-la-Grande
- **Image URL**: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ABezange-la-Grande%20%28M-et-M%29%20mairie%20-%20%C3%A9cole.jpg)

## FAQs

**What is Bezange-la-Grande?**  
Bezange-la-Grande is a small rural commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department of northeastern France. It is part of the administrative structure of the French Republic and falls under the arrondissement of Lunéville and the canton of Arracourt.

**Where is Bezange-la-Grande located?**  
It is located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, within the Grand Est region of France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 48.7461° N, 6.4739° E.

**What is the population of Bezange-la-Grande?**  
As of the latest data, the population is 169. Historical population figures range between 157 and 203 over recent decades.

**What administrative divisions is Bezange-la-Grande part of?**  
It is part of:
- **Department**: Meurthe-et-Moselle
- **Region**: Grand Est
- **Arrondissement**: Lunéville
- **Canton**: Arracourt

**What is the significance of its administrative classification?**  
As a commune, it is the smallest administrative division in France, governed by a mayor and municipal council. It is part of the decentralized structure of French local governance.

**Is there any visual documentation of Bezange-la-Grande?**  
Yes, there is a public domain image of the mairie (town hall) and school, taken by photographer Havang(nl), available on Wikimedia Commons.

## Why It Matters
Bezange-la-Grande represents the fabric of rural French communal life, embodying the decentralized administrative structure of France. Though small, it contributes to the demographic and geographic continuity of the French state, maintaining local governance, cultural identity, and historical continuity in the Lorraine region. Its existence reflects the deep-rooted tradition of communal autonomy and local representation in France.

## Notable For
- **Rural Character**: A small, traditional commune in the Lorraine region
- **Administrative Stability**: Part of the long-standing French system of decentralized governance
- **Historical Continuity**: Maintains a consistent population and administrative presence since at least the early 20th century
- **Photographic Documentation**: Publicly available imagery of its town hall and school
- **Part of Meurthe-et-Moselle**: A department with historical significance from the 1871 reorganization post-Franco-Prussian War

## Body

### Geography and Location
Bezange-la-Grande is situated in the northeastern region of France, within the department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. This department was established on September 7, 1871, following the reorganization after the Franco-Prussian War. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Lunéville, a subprefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle, and is part of the canton of Arracourt.

Geographically, it is located at:
- **Latitude**: 48.7461° N
- **Longitude**: 6.4739° E

This positioning places it within the historical and cultural region of Lorraine, known for its distinct dialects, architecture, and historical ties to both France and Germany.

### Administrative Structure
As a **commune of France**, Bezange-la-Grande is part of the foundational level of French local governance. Communes are the smallest administrative units in France, each governed by a mayor and a municipal council. The commune is classified under:
- **Department**: Meurthe-et-Moselle (established 1871)
- **Former Department**: Meurthe (established 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Lunéville
- **Canton**: Arracourt

This structure reflects France’s highly decentralized system, where local governance plays a key role in public services, education, and infrastructure.

### Demographics and Population
The population of Bezange-la-Grande has fluctuated slightly over recent decades:
- **Historical Range**: 157 to 203
- **Most Recent Figure**: 169

This small population is typical of rural communes in the region. The commune’s size reflects the broader demographic trends in rural France, where many small communities maintain historical continuity despite modest populations.

### Cultural and Administrative Context
Bezange-la-Grande is part of the broader cultural and historical context of Lorraine, a region that has experienced significant political shifts between France and Germany. The administrative structure of the commune, arrondissement, and department reflects the French system of governance established during the French Revolution and refined through subsequent republics.

### Image and Documentation
The commune is visually documented through a public domain image of its mairie (town hall) and school, taken by photographer Havang(nl). This image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons and serves as a visual reference for the commune’s architecture and local identity.

### Related Entities
- **Meurthe-et-Moselle**: The department in which Bezange-la-Grande is located, established in 1871.
- **Meurthe (former department)**: A predecessor department from 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Lunéville**: The administrative subdivision overseeing the commune.
- **Canton of Arracourt**: The electoral and administrative division within the arrondissement.
- **Commune of France**: The classification under which Bezange-la-Grande operates, part of the 1789 administrative reforms.

### Governance and Representation
As a commune, Bezange-la-Grande participates in the broader French system of local elections, municipal governance, and regional representation. It contributes to the administrative and electoral structure of the canton of Arracourt and the arrondissement of Lunéville, which in turn feed into the departmental and national governance systems.

### Conclusion
Bezange-la-Grande, while small, is emblematic of the enduring structure of French local governance. Its continued existence and documentation reflect the importance of communes in maintaining cultural, historical, and administrative continuity in France.

## 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)