# Canteleux

> former commune in Pas-de-Calais, France

**Wikidata**: [Q430925](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q430925)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canteleux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/canteleux

## Summary

Canteleux was a former commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. It existed as an independent municipality until December 31, 2018, when it was dissolved and merged into the newly established commune of Bonnières on January 1, 2019. The commune was located at coordinates 50.215277777778 latitude and 2.3075 longitude, situated in the arrondissement of Arras within the Pas-de-Calais department.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Former commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
- **Dissolution Date**: December 31, 2018
- **Successor**: Bonnières (established January 1, 2019)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.215277777778, Longitude 2.3075
- **Arrondissement**: Arras
- **Department**: Pas-de-Calais
- **Country**: France
- **Wikipedia Title**: Canteleux
- **Wikidata Description**: former commune in Pas-de-Calais, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Population History**: Declined from 121 inhabitants (1975) to 15-18 inhabitants (2015-2018)

## FAQs

**What happened to Canteleux?**

Canteleux was dissolved on December 31, 2018, and ceased to exist as an independent commune. On January 1, 2019, it was succeeded by the newly created commune of Bonnières, which was established through administrative restructuring.

**Where was Canteleux located?**

Canteleux was located in the Pas-de-Calais department of France, specifically in the arrondissement of Arras. Its precise coordinates were 50.215277777778 latitude and 2.3075 longitude.

**Why was Canteleux dissolved?**

Canteleux was dissolved as part of French administrative reforms aimed at consolidating small municipalities. The commune had experienced significant population decline over several decades, falling from 121 inhabitants in 1975 to just 15-18 residents by the late 2010s, making it increasingly difficult to maintain independent municipal administration.

**What was the population of Canteleux?**

Canteleux experienced a steady population decline throughout its existence. The population dropped from 121 inhabitants in 1975 to 103 by 1982, continued falling to 63 by 1999, and reached approximately 15-18 inhabitants in the final years before dissolution.

**What succeeded Canteleux?**

Canteleux was succeeded by Bonnières, a commune that was established on January 1, 2019. Bonnières was created through the merger of Canteleux and another commune, reflecting France's ongoing efforts to consolidate small municipalities for more efficient governance.

## Why It Matters

Canteleux represents a common phenomenon in rural France: the gradual decline and eventual administrative dissolution of small communes facing depopulation and economic challenges. Its existence and subsequent dissolution provide insight into the demographic and administrative transformations affecting rural communities in northern France. The commune's history illustrates the broader challenges faced by small municipalities in maintaining viable administrative structures when population declines significantly. The dissolution of Canteleux and its merger into Bonnières reflects France's decentralized governance model, which allows for the reorganization of municipal boundaries to ensure effective local representation and service delivery. This administrative change is part of a nationwide trend where smaller communes are consolidated to optimize resources and governance efficiency.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Dissolution**: Canteleux was dissolved on December 31, 2018, making it one of many French communes to undergo administrative restructuring in recent years.
- **Significant Population Decline**: The commune experienced a dramatic population decrease from 121 inhabitants in 1975 to just 15-18 by 2018, representing an 87% decline over four decades.
- **Succession by Bonnières**: The commune was succeeded by the newly created Bonnières on January 1, 2019, as part of French municipal consolidation efforts.
- **Smallest Population in Region**: With a population of just 15-18 inhabitants in its final years, Canteleux represented one of the smallest communes in the Pas-de-Calais department.
- **Wikipedia Recognition**: Despite its dissolution, Canteleux maintains a Wikipedia entry with 41 sitelinks, preserving its historical record.

## Body

### Historical Context and Establishment

Canteleux was established as a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department of northern France. While the exact founding date is not specified in the source material, the commune existed as an independent municipal entity for several decades. The commune was situated in the historical region of Artois, within the Pas-de-Calais department, which itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

### Geographic Location

Canteleux was located at precise coordinates of latitude 50.215277777778 and longitude 2.3075. The commune was situated in the arrondissement of Arras, a subdivision of the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France. This area is characterized by agricultural landscapes and small rural communities, typical of the French countryside in this portion of the country.

### Population and Demographics

The population data for Canteleux reveals a consistent and significant decline over several decades:

- 1975: 121 inhabitants
- 1982: 103 inhabitants
- 1990: 96 inhabitants
- 1999: 63 inhabitants
- 2006: 52-53 inhabitants
- 2011: 38-43 inhabitants
- 2015-2018: 15-18 inhabitants

This demographic decline of approximately 87% over four decades illustrates the challenges faced by rural communes in northern France. The population fall from 121 to just 15-18 inhabitants represents one of the most significant population declines among communes in the region, making Canteleux an example of rural depopulation affecting many small French municipalities.

### Administrative Structure and Governance

As a commune, Canteleux was the smallest administrative division in France, functioning as a municipal subdivision within the Pas-de-Calais department. The commune was part of the arrondissement of Arras, which serves as an administrative intermediate between the department and the commune. This structure reflects France's decentralized governance model, which provides local representation and management at the municipal level.

### Dissolution and Succession

Canteleux was dissolved on December 31, 2018, at the end of the year. This dissolution was followed by the establishment of Bonnières on January 1, 2019. The successor commune, Bonnières, was created through administrative restructuring and inherited the territory formerly occupied by Canteleux. Bonnières itself was established on January 1, 2019, with a population of approximately 676 inhabitants, significantly larger than Canteleux in its final years.

The dissolution of Canteleux reflects a broader pattern in French administrative history where small communes with declining populations are merged with neighboring municipalities to create more viable administrative units. This process helps ensure more efficient governance and better service delivery at the local level.

### Relationship with Bonnières

The relationship between Canteleux and Bonnières is one of predecessor and successor. Bonnières, which has a Wikipedia title of "Bonnières, Pas-de-Calais" and a Wikidata description identifying it as a commune in Pas-de-Calais, France, absorbed the territory of Canteleux. The establishment of Bonnières in 2019 represents the continuation of municipal administration in the region, albeit under a new administrative structure better suited to contemporary governance needs.

### Wikipedia and Wikidata References

Canteleux maintains a presence on Wikipedia under the title "Canteleux" with 41 sitelinks, indicating moderate recognition and documentation. The Wikidata entry describes Canteleux as a "former commune in Pas-de-Calais, France," accurately capturing its status as a dissolved municipality. These references ensure that the historical record of Canteleux is preserved, even after its administrative dissolution.

### Significance in French Administrative History

The case of Canteleux illustrates several important aspects of French municipal administration. First, it demonstrates the ongoing challenge of maintaining viable administrative structures in rural areas experiencing depopulation. Second, it shows how France's administrative system allows for the reorganization of municipal boundaries through the dissolution and merger of communes. Third, it highlights the country's commitment to decentralized governance while maintaining flexibility in municipal organization.

The dissolution of Canteleux in 2018-2019 occurred during a period of continued administrative reform in France, where the government has encouraged the merger of small communes to improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs. This trend has affected numerous small municipalities across the country, particularly in rural areas where population decline has made independent governance increasingly difficult.

## 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. [Recensement de la population 2013](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2021173?geo=COM-62210)
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=6826)
10. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2129090?geo=COM-62210)
11. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2129076?geo=COM-62210)
12. [Recensement de la population 2008](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2129068?geo=COM-62210)
13. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2129062?geo=COM-62210)
14. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2129059?geo=COM-62210)
15. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2123937?geo=COM-62210)
16. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2123878?geo=COM-62210)
17. [Source](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2534314?geo=COM-62210)
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)