# Bretoncelles

> commune in Orne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q690788](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q690788)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bretoncelles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bretoncelles

## Summary
Bretoncelles is a commune located in the Orne department within the Normandy region of northwestern France. It serves as a local administrative unit situated in the arrondissement of Mortagne-au-Perche and was formerly the seat of the canton of Bretoncelles. The commune is also home to the Gare de Bretoncelles, a railway station serving the area.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Orne (established March 4, 1790).
- **Region**: Normandy (implied by Orne department location).
- **Arrondissement**: Mortagne-au-Perche.
- **Canton**: Formerly the canton of Bretoncelles (established March 22, 2015); currently part of the canton of Rémalard.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.431666666667, Longitude 0.8875.
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 1446, 1464, 1503, 1487, 1483, 1478, 1475, 1469, 1462, and 1455.
- **Official Website**: http://www.bretoncelles.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Bretoncelles.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Orne, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 44.
- **Country**: France (Western Europe).
- **Railway Infrastructure**: Gare de Bretoncelles (railway station located within the commune).

## FAQs
**Where exactly is Bretoncelles located within the French administrative hierarchy?**
Bretoncelles is a commune situated in the Orne department, which is part of the Normandy region. Administratively, it falls under the arrondissement of Mortagne-au-Perche and is currently associated with the canton of Rémalard.

**What is the population trend of Bretoncelles based on available records?**
Available population records for the commune show a fluctuating range between 1446 and 1503 inhabitants. Specific recorded counts include 1446, 1464, 1503, 1487, 1483, 1478, 1475, 1469, 1462, and 1455.

**What transportation infrastructure exists within the commune?**
The commune contains the Gare de Bretoncelles, which functions as a railway station serving the local area. This station connects Bretoncelles to the broader French rail network.

**How is Bretoncelles categorized in knowledge databases?**
In Wikidata, Bretoncelles is described specifically as a "commune in Orne, France." It holds 44 sitelinks across various language editions of Wikipedia, indicating its recognition as a distinct geographical entity.

## Why It Matters
Bretoncelles matters as a specific example of the French municipal system, representing the foundational level of local governance in the Orne department. Its inclusion in the administrative structure of the arrondissement of Mortagne-au-Perche and its historical role as a canton seat highlight the complex layering of French territorial organization. The presence of the Gare de Bretoncelles underscores its function as a node in regional transportation networks, facilitating movement and connectivity for residents. As a commune with a stable population hovering around 1,400 to 1,500, it reflects the demographic characteristics of rural France.

## Notable For
- **Administrative History**: Served as the seat of the canton of Bretoncelles from its inception on March 22, 2015, before being merged into the canton of Rémalard.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates of 48.431666666667° N and 0.8875° E.
- **Railway Presence**: Hosts the Gare de Bretoncelles, a specific railway station entity linked to the commune.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a consistent population range recorded between 1,446 and 1,503 across multiple census periods.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website at http://www.bretoncelles.fr.
- **Departmental Context**: Located within the Orne department, which was established on March 4, 1790.

## Body

### Administrative Classification and Location
Bretoncelles is classified as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is located in the Orne department, a territorial subdivision created on March 4, 1790, within the Normandy region. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Mortagne-au-Perche. Historically, it served as the administrative center for the canton of Bretoncelles, which was established on March 22, 2015. Following administrative reorganization, the commune is now associated with the canton of Rémalard. The country of France, where Bretoncelles is situated, is a semi-presidential republic located primarily in Western Europe.

### Geographic and Demographic Data
The commune is geographically positioned at latitude 48.431666666667 and longitude 0.8875. Population records for Bretoncelles indicate a fluctuating but stable demographic profile. Specific recorded population figures include 1446, 1464, 1503, 1487, 1483, 1478, 1475, 1469, 1462, and 1455. These figures suggest a community size typical of rural French communes, with a population generally remaining between 1,400 and 1,500 residents. The commune is part of the broader French territory, which spans multiple continents through its overseas departments and territories, though Bretoncelles itself is located in metropolitan France.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
A key feature of the commune is the Gare de Bretoncelles, a railway station located within its boundaries. This station serves as a critical link for local transportation, connecting the commune to regional and national rail networks. The existence of this station highlights the commune's role in the broader infrastructure of the Orne department and the Normandy region. The commune maintains an official digital presence through its website, http://www.bretoncelles.fr, which likely provides information on local services, administration, and community events.

### Digital Presence and Knowledge Representation
Bretoncelles is recognized in major knowledge bases with a specific Wikidata description identifying it as a "commune in Orne, France." The entity has a sitelink count of 44, indicating its presence across 44 different language versions of Wikipedia. This level of documentation reflects its status as a distinct and notable geographical entity within the French administrative landscape. The Wikipedia title for the entity is simply "Bretoncelles," ensuring clear identification in search and reference contexts.

### Relationship to Broader French Context
As a commune in France, Bretoncelles operates under the legal and political framework of the French Republic. This includes adherence to national laws, the use of the Euro as currency, and participation in the French electoral system. The commune is part of the Orne department, which is one of the 101 departments of France, and the Normandy region, one of the 18 regions of the country. The administrative hierarchy places Bretoncelles under the arrondissement of Mortagne-au-Perche, which in turn is part of the department of Orne. The commune's history is intertwined with the formation of the canton of Bretoncelles in 2015 and its subsequent integration into the canton of Rémalard, reflecting ongoing changes in French local governance structures.

## 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 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
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)