# Bienville-la-Petite

> commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q988180](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q988180)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bienville-la-Petite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bienville-la-petite

## Summary
Bienville-la-Petite is a small commune located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It is administratively part of the arrondissement of Lunéville and was historically associated with the canton of Lunéville-Nord prior to the 2015 reorganization. The entity is characterized by its very small population, which has fluctuated between 27 and 44 residents in recent recorded years.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Meurthe-et-Moselle department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Lunéville.
- **Historical Canton**: Canton of Lunéville-Nord (active until March 2015).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.638055555556, Longitude 6.5088888888889.
- **Population Range**: Recorded figures include 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, and 44 residents across various census periods.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Meurthe-et-Moselle, France.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Bienville-la-Petite.
- **Image Source**: Wikimedia Commons (File: Bienville-la-Petite (M-et-M) mairie.jpg).
- **Image License**: CC0 (Public Domain).
- **Image Artist**: Havang(nl).
- **Sitelink Count**: 40.
- **Country**: France.
- **Related Historical Entity**: Meurthe (former department, inception 1790-03-04).
- **Related Current Entity**: Meurthe-et-Moselle (department, inception 1871-09-07).
- **Award Context**: The commune is located in a region associated with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (French military decoration, inception 1915-04-02).

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Bienville-la-Petite situated within the French administrative hierarchy?**
Bienville-la-Petite is a commune located in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, which is part of the arrondissement of Lunéville. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Grand Est region in northeastern France.

**What are the demographic characteristics of this commune?**
The population of Bienville-la-Petite is extremely small, with recorded census figures ranging from a low of 27 to a high of 44 residents. These numbers reflect its status as a rural municipality with a very limited number of inhabitants.

**How has the administrative structure of the area changed over time?**
Historically, the commune was part of the canton of Lunéville-Nord, but this administrative division was dissolved in March 2015. The department itself, Meurthe-et-Moselle, was created on September 7, 1871, following the dissolution of the former Meurthe department established in 1790.

**What visual documentation exists for the commune?**
A photograph of the town hall (mairie) is available on Wikimedia Commons, captured by the artist Havang(nl) under a CC0 public domain license. This image serves as the primary visual representation for the entity in digital knowledge bases.

## Why It Matters
Bienville-la-Petite serves as a specific data point representing the vast network of small, rural municipalities that constitute the fabric of the French Republic. While it lacks the global prominence of major cities, its existence highlights the granular administrative structure of France, where even the smallest settlements maintain distinct legal and territorial identities. The entity is significant for demographic studies and local governance analysis, illustrating population trends in rural Lorraine. Furthermore, its connection to the historical Meurthe department and the modern Meurthe-et-Moselle department provides a case study in the evolution of French territorial organization since the Revolution. The commune's inclusion in the broader context of French military history, via the regional Croix de guerre 1914–1918, links it to the national narrative of World War I.

## Notable For
- **Extreme Smallness**: Distinguished by a population that rarely exceeds 40 residents, making it one of the smallest inhabited entities in the region.
- **Administrative History**: Directly linked to the transition from the former Meurthe department to the current Meurthe-et-Moselle department.
- **Canton Reorganization**: Formerly part of the canton of Lunéville-Nord, a specific administrative unit that ceased to exist in 2015.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (48.638055555556, 6.5088888888889) within the Meurthe-et-Moselle department.
- **Visual Archiving**: Possesses a dedicated, high-quality public domain image of its town hall on Wikimedia Commons.
- **Regional Heritage**: Located in an area recognized for the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a decoration awarded for bravery during World War I.

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Location
Bienville-la-Petite is situated in the northeastern part of France, specifically within the Meurthe-et-Moselle department. The commune's precise geographic location is marked by the coordinates 48.638055555556° North latitude and 6.5088888888889° East longitude. Administratively, it belongs to the arrondissement of Lunéville. Historically, the commune was part of the canton of Lunéville-Nord, an administrative division that remained in effect until the reorganization of French cantons in March 2015. The entity is classified as a "commune of France," which is the lowest level of administrative division in the country, established as a territorial subdivision for municipalities starting in 1789.

### Demographic Profile
The population of Bienville-la-Petite is characterized by its minimal size and fluctuation over time. Available data points indicate a population range between 27 and 44 residents. Specific recorded figures include 27, 28, 30, 33, 34, 36, 37, and 44 inhabitants across different census years. This demographic profile places the commune in the category of very small rural settlements. The data reflects the challenges and trends common to rural areas in the Meurthe-et-Moselle region, where population stability is often difficult to maintain.

### Historical Context and Departmental Evolution
The commune exists within a region that has undergone significant administrative changes. It is located in Meurthe-et-Moselle, a department created on September 7, 1871. This department was formed following the annexation of parts of the former Meurthe department by Germany after the Franco-Prussian War. The former Meurthe department itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The history of the area is also marked by the impact of World War I, as the region was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration instituted on April 2, 1915, to recognize units and individuals for acts of bravery.

### Visual and Digital Presence
Bienville-la-Petite has a documented visual presence through a photograph of its town hall (mairie). This image is hosted on Wikimedia Commons under the file name "Bienville-la-Petite (M-et-M) mairie.jpg." The photograph was taken by the artist Havang(nl) and is released under a CC0 license, placing it in the public domain. This visual asset is crucial for the entity's digital identity, providing a tangible representation of the commune's administrative center. The entity is linked to 40 different language versions or sitelinks in knowledge databases, indicating a level of international recognition despite its small size.

### Related Entities and Connections
The commune is intrinsically linked to several larger administrative and historical entities. It is a constituent part of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department, which is one of the 98 departments in France. The arrondissement of Lunéville serves as its immediate sub-national administrative grouping. Historically, the territory was part of the Meurthe department before 1871. The commune's status as a "commune of France" connects it to the broader national framework of 35,000+ municipalities. Additionally, the region's association with the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 links the commune to the national narrative of military valor and the history of the First World War in the Lorraine region.

## 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)