# Bourdonnay

> commune in Moselle, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21625](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21625)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourdonnay)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bourdonnay

## Summary
Bourdonnay is a commune located in the Moselle department of northeastern France. It is a small rural municipality situated within the administrative region of Grand Est, historically part of the Lorraine cultural and territorial area.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Bourdonnay is located in the Moselle department, in the Grand Est region of France.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude: 48.72, Longitude: 6.7288888888889
- **Classification**: Commune of France — a local administrative subdivision
- **Historical Context**: Part of the broader historical region of Lorraine, previously under the jurisdiction of the Meurthe department and later Moselle
- **Population Data**: 215 to 357 residents across various census years
- **Administrative Evolution**:
  - Formerly part of the canton of Vic-sur-Seille (until March 2015)
  - Previously within the arrondissement of Château-Salins, now part of arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins (reorganized in 2016)
- **Historical Jurisdictions**:
  - Part of the former French department of Meurthe (established March 4, 1790)
  - Under Bezirk Lothringen during the German annexation period (established May 20, 1871)
- **Country**: France (ISO code: FR; Wikidata ID: )
- **Sitelink Count**: 40 (indicating moderate digital presence)

## FAQs

**What is Bourdonnay?**  
Bourdonnay is a commune in the Moselle department in northeastern France. It is a small rural community that reflects the historical and administrative evolution of the Lorraine region.

**Where is Bourdonnay located?**  
Bourdonnay is situated in the Moselle department, within the Grand Est region of France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 48.72°N latitude and 6.7288888888889°E longitude.

**What historical regions or jurisdictions has Bourdonnay belonged to?**  
Bourdonnay was historically part of the Meurthe department (established 1790), later the German-administered Bezirk Lothringen (1871–1918), and is now in the Moselle department. It was also part of the canton of Vic-sur-Seille until 2015.

**What is the population of Bourdonnay?**  
Population data shows fluctuations over time, with recorded values including 215, 229, 230, 234, 236, 238, 239, 241, 246, 248, 253, 254, 261, 272, 313, and 357 across different years.

**What administrative changes has Bourdonnay undergone?**  
Bourdonnay was formerly in the canton of Vic-sur-Seille until March 2015. It was also part of the arrondissement of Château-Salins, which was reorganized into the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins in 2016.

## Why It Matters
Bourdonnay represents a microcosm of French administrative evolution, particularly in the Lorraine region, which has experienced significant political and territorial shifts. Its history reflects broader European geopolitical changes, including the Franco-Prussian War and the two World Wars. As a commune, it plays a role in local governance, rural preservation, and cultural continuity in northeastern France.

## Notable For
- **Historical Significance**: Part of the German-occupied Bezirk Lothringen from 1871 to 1918
- **Administrative Evolution**: Reflects France’s complex reorganization of local governments, including cantonal and arrondissement changes
- **Rural Demographics**: Population data illustrates rural community trends in post-industrial France
- **Cultural Continuity**: Maintains local identity within the broader Lorrainian and French national framework
- **Geographic Position**: Located in Moselle, a department with rich historical and cultural significance in French history

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Context
Bourdonnay is a commune in the Moselle department, which was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the French Revolutionary administrative restructuring. The commune is located in the Grand Est region, which encompasses the historical territories of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine. This region has been shaped by centuries of Franco-German rivalry, particularly during the periods of German annexation (1871–1918 and 1940–1945).

### Historical Jurisdictions
Bourdonnay was originally part of the Meurthe department, established in 1790. During the German annexation of Alsace-Lorraine, it fell under Bezirk Lothringen from 1871 to 1918. After World War I, it was reintegrated into France and administratively placed in the Moselle department. The commune was part of the arrondissement of Château-Salins until 2016, when it was reorganized into the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins.

### Demographics and Population Trends
Population data for Bourdonnay shows variability over time, with recorded figures including 215, 229, 230, 234, 236, 238, 239, 241, 246, 248, 253, 254, 261, 272, 313, and 357. These fluctuations may reflect rural-to-urban migration trends, economic changes, or administrative adjustments in data collection.

### Local Governance and Reorganization
Bourdonnay was formerly part of the canton of Vic-sur-Seille until March 2015, when France restructured its cantonal system. This reorganization aimed to align local governance with intercommunal structures and improve administrative efficiency. The commune now falls under the arrondissement of Sarrebourg-Château-Salins, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of former arrondissements.

### Cultural and Regional Identity
Bourdonnay is part of the Lorraine cultural region, which has a distinct identity shaped by its history of Germanic and French influences. The area’s history includes periods of annexation, war, and reintegration, which are reflected in its architecture, dialects, and traditions. This cultural blend is part of the broader Lorrainian heritage, which includes both French and Germanic elements.

### Digital Presence and Recognition
Bourdonnay has a moderate digital presence, with 40 sitelinks across various platforms, including Wikipedia and Wikidata. This reflects its recognition in regional and national databases, despite its small size. The commune is part of France’s extensive network of over 35,000 communes, each contributing to the country’s decentralized administrative model.

### Broader Context: France’s Administrative Structure
As a commune, Bourdonnay is the smallest administrative division in France. It is part of the French Republic (established 1870, Fifth Republic since 1958), which operates under a semi-presidential system. France is divided into 101 departments, 18 regions, and thousands of communes, each with local elected councils. Bourdonnay’s governance reflects this structure, with local mayors and municipal councils managing daily affairs.

### International and Historical Context
Bourdonnay’s history is intertwined with broader European conflicts, particularly the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1871) and the two World Wars. The region was a focal point of Franco-German rivalry, leading to territorial changes that affected local jurisdictions. The Treaty of Frankfurt (1871) ceded Alsace-Lorraine to Germany, and the Treaty of Versailles (1919) returned it to France. These geopolitical shifts are embedded in the commune’s administrative history.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)