# Billère

> commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France

**Wikidata**: [Q195193](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q195193)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billère)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bill-re

## Summary

Billère is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France, situated in the New Aquitaine region. Located in the arrondissement of Pau, it serves as a suburban municipality within the greater Pau area and functions as part of the canton of Billère. The commune has a population of approximately 14,000 residents and is positioned at coordinates 43.3025°N latitude and 0.3972°W longitude.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Billère
- **Alias**: Vilhèra
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Pyrénées-Atlantiques (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: New Aquitaine (formerly Aquitaine)
- **Arrondissement**: Pau
- **Canton**: Billère
- **Commune Type**: Commune of France (inception: 1789)
- **Coordinates**: 43.3025°N latitude, 0.3972°W longitude
- **Population Range**: 12,628 to 14,384 residents (historical data series)
- **Website**: https://www.billere.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Billère
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

**What region and department is Billère located in?**

Billère is located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department of southwestern France, which is part of the New Aquitaine region (formerly known as Aquitaine). The department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What administrative divisions does Billère belong to?**

Billère is a commune in the arrondissement of Pau and serves as the seat of the canton of Billère. As a commune of France, it is the smallest administrative division in France, dating back to 1789.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Billère?**

Billère is situated at latitude 43.3025°N and longitude 0.3972°W, placing it in the southwestern part of France near the Spanish border and the Pyrenees mountains.

**What is the population of Billère?**

Billère has a population of approximately 14,000 residents, with historical data showing figures ranging from around 12,600 to 14,400 inhabitants across different census periods.

**Does Billère have a website?**

Yes, Billère maintains an official municipal website at https://www.billere.fr where residents and visitors can access information about local services, events, and government.

## Why It Matters

Billère matters as a representative suburban commune in the Pau metropolitan area of southwestern France. As part of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, it contributes to the cultural and economic fabric of the Basque Country and Béarn regions. The commune serves as a residential community for the greater Pau area, which is an important economic center in southwestern France known for its aerospace industry and energy sector. Billère's position within the French administrative system demonstrates the decentralized structure of local governance in France, where communes form the foundational unit of territorial organization. The commune's historical population data reflects broader demographic trends in suburban France, where smaller towns near major urban centers experience growth as residents seek more affordable housing while maintaining access to urban employment and amenities. Additionally, Billère's inclusion in the canton system and its role as a local administrative center make it relevant for understanding French municipal governance and civic organization.

## Notable For

- **Suburban Development**: Represents the growth of commuter communities in the Pau metropolitan area
- **Basque Country Location**: Situated in the culturally rich region of southwestern France near the Basque Country
- **Administrative Functions**: Serves as the seat of the canton of Billère
- **Historical Communal Status**: One of France's approximately 34,000 communes established since 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Billère is located in southwestern France in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, which sits within the New Aquitaine region. The commune is positioned at coordinates 43.3025°N latitude and 0.3972°W longitude, placing it in the western portion of the department near the city of Pau. The geography of the region is characterized by its proximity to the Pyrenees mountains to the south and its location in the transitional zone between the Basque Country and Béarn regions. The area features a mix of urban and suburban development, with Billère functioning primarily as a residential suburb within the greater Pau urban area.

### Administrative Structure

Billère operates as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France, established during the French Revolution in 1789. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Pau, which is one of the administrative divisions within the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. The department itself was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial division of France into departments during the revolutionary period. Billère also serves as the seat of the canton of Billère, meaning it functions as a administrative center for the surrounding area. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of French national government while maintaining local autonomy in certain administrative matters.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Billère has fluctuated over time, with historical data showing figures ranging from approximately 12,628 to 14,384 residents. These population figures reflect the broader demographic patterns experienced by suburban communes in France, where population can vary based on economic conditions, housing development, and urban migration patterns. The commune serves primarily as a residential community for workers employed in Pau and the surrounding area. The population data indicates a relatively stable community with moderate growth potential, typical of suburban municipalities in secondary French cities.

### Regional Context

Billère is situated in the New Aquitaine region, which is the largest region in metropolitan France, spanning from the Loire River to the Pyrenees. The region was formerly known as Aquitaine before the 2016 administrative reorganization that merged Aquitaine, Limousin, and Poitou-Charentes. Pyrénées-Atlantiques is a department characterized by its cultural diversity, incorporating both Basque and Béarnais traditions. The department's capital, Pau, is an important regional center with significant aerospace and energy industries. Billère's position within this regional context provides residents with access to urban amenities while maintaining a more residential character.

### Local Infrastructure and Services

As a functioning French commune, Billère provides various local services to its residents through its municipal government. The commune maintains a website at https://www.billere.fr, which serves as a digital portal for local government information, public services, and community announcements. The municipal administration handles matters including urban planning, local taxation, public facilities, and community events. The commune's participation in the canton system also means it contributes to departmental-level representation and administrative coordination.

### Historical Background

The commune of Billère, known locally by its Occitan name Vilhèra, has existed as an administrative unit since the French Revolution. The establishment of communes in 1789 created the foundational structure of French local government that continues to this day. Billère's history is intertwined with the broader history of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, which was created on March 4, 1790. The department's name reflects its geographic position along the Atlantic coast at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains. Over the centuries, the region has been influenced by various cultural groups, including the Basques and the Béarnais, creating a distinctive local identity.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Q---0100)
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. MusicBrainz
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. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
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. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)