# Brassac-les-Mines

> commune in Puy-de-Dôme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q476907](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q476907)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassac-les-Mines)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brassac-les-mines

## Summary

Brassac-les-Mines is a commune in the Puy-de-Dôme department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, situated in the arrondissement of Issoire. The commune is home to a railway station and the historic U.S. Bassin Minier football club, and serves as a local center in the former mining basin of the Allier river valley.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Brassac-les-Mines is located in Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- **Coordinates**: 45.414166666667° N, 3.3288888888889° E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune in the arrondissement of Issoire
- **Canton**: Part of the canton of Brassac-les-Mines (since March 22, 2015); previously part of canton of Jumeaux until March 2015
- **Department**: Puy-de-Dôme (French department, established March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Country**: France
- **Population**: Approximately 3,291 to 3,412 residents (varies across recorded years)
- **Aliases**: Barçac, Barçac las Minas, Brassac, Brassac les Mines
- **Website**: https://brassaclesmines.fr/
- **Railway Station**: Gare de Brassac-les-Mines
- **Football Club**: U.S. Bassin Minier (founded December 16, 1937)
- **Image**: BrassaclesMinesdepuisMarnant.jpg by Elliott Sadourny (public domain)
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Puy-de-Dôme, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Brassac-les-Mines?**

Brassac-les-Mines is a commune, which is the smallest administrative division in France, similar to a municipality. It is located in the Puy-de-Dôme department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, specifically in the arrondissement of Issoire.

**What is the administrative history of Brassac-les-Mines' canton?**

Prior to March 2015, Brassac-les-Mines was part of the canton of Jumeaux. On March 22, 2015, a administrative reorganization took effect, creating the new canton of Brassac-les-Mines, which now includes the commune.

**What transportation infrastructure serves Brassac-les-Mines?**

The commune is served by Gare de Brassac-les-Mines, a railway station located within the commune itself. This station provides rail connectivity to the surrounding region.

**What notable organizations are based in Brassac-les-Mines?**

U.S. Bassin Minier is a notable football (soccer) club based in Brassac-les-Mines. The club was founded on December 16, 1937, making it a historic local sports institution in the commune.

**What is known about Brassac-les-Mines in digital knowledge bases?**

Brassac-les-Mines has a Wikidata entry with a sitelink count of 40, indicating its presence across multiple Wikimedia projects. The commune is also known by several aliases including Barçac, Barçac las Minas, Brassac, and Brassac les Mines.

## Why It Matters

Brassac-les-Mines represents a traditional French commune that serves as a local administrative and social center in the Puy-de-Dôme department. While not a major metropolitan area, the commune plays an important role in the regional structure of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, providing municipal services, transportation infrastructure, and community identity to its residents.

The commune's history as part of a mining basin (Bassin Minier) gives it significance in understanding the industrial heritage of central France. The presence of U.S. Bassin Minier, founded in 1937, reflects the sporting and cultural traditions that have developed in the commune over decades.

From an administrative perspective, the 2015 reorganization that created the canton of Brassac-les-Mines demonstrates the ongoing evolution of French local government structures. The commune's website (brassaclesmines.fr) indicates active local governance and communication with residents.

The commune's coordinates (45.414°N, 3.329°E) place it in the volcanic region of the Massif Central, an area known for its distinctive geology and rural character. This positioning contributes to understanding the geographical diversity of Puy-de-Dôme, which ranges from the mountains of the Chaîne des Puys to the river valleys where communes like Brassac-les-Mines are situated.

## Notable For

- **Canton Status**: Became the seat of the canton of Brassac-les-Mines in the 2015 French cantonal reorganization
- **Historic Football Club**: Home to U.S. Bassin Minier, founded in 1937
- **Railway Connectivity**: Served by Gare de Brassac-les-Mines station
- **Regional Identity**: Part of the historic mining basin (Bassin Minier) of the Allier river valley
- **Wikimedia Presence**: 40 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects indicating reasonable digital documentation

## Body

### Geography and Location

Brassac-les-Mines is situated in the Puy-de-Dôme department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-central France. The commune lies at coordinates 45.414166667° north latitude and 3.328888889° east longitude. This location places it in the central portion of the Massif Central, a mountainous plateau region known for its volcanic geology, including the Chaîne des Puys volcanic chain.

The commune is positioned within the arrondissement of Issoire, one of the administrative divisions of Puy-de-Dôme. The surrounding landscape is characterized by the valley of the Allier River and the rolling hills typical of this part of central France. The area has historically been associated with mining activity, which is reflected in both the commune's name and the presence of the U.S. Bassin Minier football club.

### Administrative History

Brassac-les-Mines has undergone several administrative changes reflecting the evolution of French local government. The commune is part of the French departmental system, with Puy-de-Dôme being established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. This makes it one of the original departments created at that time.

Prior to 2015, Brassac-les-Mines was part of the canton of Jumeaux. However, on March 22, 2015, a significant administrative reorganization took effect, resulting in the creation of the new canton of Brassac-les-Mines. This change elevated the commune's administrative importance within the department, making it the seat of its own canton rather than being part of a neighboring commune's canton.

The commune operates under the broader structure of the commune of France, a territorial subdivision that originated in 1789 during the French Revolution. This system organizes France into approximately 35,000 municipalities, each with its own local government.

### Demographics and Population

The commune has a population of approximately 3,291 to 3,412 residents, based on recorded figures. This places Brassac-les-Mines in the category of small French communes, typical of rural and semi-rural areas in the Massif Central region. The population size is consistent with the commune's role as a local service center rather than a major urban hub.

The population figures reflect the broader demographic patterns seen in many rural communes in central France, where populations have remained relatively stable or experienced modest changes over the years. The commune likely serves as a residential area for workers employed in local agriculture, small-scale industry, or service sectors.

### Transportation and Infrastructure

A key feature of Brassac-les-Mines is the presence of Gare de Brassac-les-Mines, a railway station serving the commune and surrounding area. This railway connection provides residents with access to regional rail services, connecting them to larger towns and cities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and beyond.

The railway station represents important infrastructure for a commune of this size, enabling commuting, access to services, and economic connectivity. Railway stations in French communes often serve as focal points for local development and are typically located in the village center or nearby.

### Culture and Sports

The commune is home to U.S. Bassin Minier, a French association football club. The club was founded on December 16, 1937, making it a historic institution in the commune with over 80 years of continuous operation. The name "Bassin Minier" (Mining Basin) reflects the historical association of this area with mining activity, a significant economic driver in the region during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Sports clubs like U.S. Bassin Minier play important roles in French communal life, providing recreational activities, youth development, and social cohesion. The club's long history indicates sustained community interest in football and local sports traditions.

### Digital Presence and Knowledge Representation

Brassac-les-Mines has a notable presence in digital knowledge bases. The commune has a Wikidata entry with 40 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects, indicating that it is documented in multiple language versions of Wikipedia and other Wikimedia properties. This sitelink count is moderate for a commune of its size, suggesting reasonable coverage in French and potentially other language Wikipedia editions.

The commune is known by several aliases: Barçac, Barçac las Minas, Brassac, and Brassac les Mines. These variations likely reflect different historical spellings, Occitan language influences, or local pronunciation. The French Wikipedia article uses the title "Brassac-les-Mines," which is the official name.

The commune maintains an official website at https://brassaclesmines.fr/, providing information about local services, municipal government, and community events to residents and visitors.

### Visual Documentation

Brassac-les-Mines has been documented photographically, with an image titled "BrassaclesMinesdepuisMarnant.jpg" available on Wikimedia Commons. This photograph was taken by Elliott Sadourny and is in the public domain, allowing for free use and distribution. The image appears to show the commune as viewed from the nearby location of Marnant, providing a visual perspective on the commune's setting and architecture.

### Regional Context

Brassac-les-Mines is part of Puy-de-Dôme, a department named after the famous volcanic dome of Puy de Dôme, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the Massif Central region. The department includes the regional capital of Clermont-Ferrand and encompasses a variety of landscapes from volcanic mountains to river valleys.

The arrondissement of Issoire, in which Brassac-les-Mines is located, is one of several arrondissements in the department. This administrative division typically groups together communes for statistical and administrative purposes, providing a middle level of governance between the commune and the department.

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, created in 2016 from the merger of Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions, is one of France's 18 regions. This large region spans from the volcanic landscapes of the Massif Central to the Alpine mountains in the east, encompassing diverse geography, economies, and cultural traditions.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/K---0080)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k65296603)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File