# Castellane

> commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

**Wikidata**: [Q207083](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q207083)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castellane)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/castellane

## Summary

Castellane is a commune located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. It serves as the administrative center of the arrondissement of Castellane and sits at coordinates 43.846666666667°N 6.5133333333333°E. The town is situated in the Verdon valley, known for its proximity to the Verdon Gorge, one of Europe's most spectacular river canyons.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Southeastern France, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region
- **Administrative Status**: Chef-lieu (capital) of the arrondissement of Castellane
- **Coordinates**: 43.846666666667°N latitude, 6.5133333333333°E longitude
- **Country**: France
- **Department Number**: 04 (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
- **Arrondissement**: Castellane
- **Commune Status**: Territorial subdivision of France (established +1789)
- **Population**: Approximately 1,500-1,600 residents (historical data shows figures ranging from 1,114 to 1,630)
- **Alternative Name**: Castelana
- **Official Website**: http://www.mairie-castellane.fr
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 64

## FAQs

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

Castellane is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department (department number 04) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. It is the administrative center of the arrondissement of Castellane.

**What is the geographical position of Castellane?**

Castellane sits at coordinates 43.846666666667°N latitude and 6.5133333333333°E longitude, placing it in the Verdon valley region of the French Alps, near the famous Verdon Gorge.

**What administrative role does Castellane play?**

Castellane serves as the chef-lieu (administrative center) of the arrondissement of Castellane, making it a key administrative hub for the surrounding area in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

**What is known about Castellane's population size?**

Historical population data indicates Castellane has historically had between approximately 1,100 and 1,630 residents, with more recent figures suggesting a population around 1,500.

**What is the relationship between Castellane and the French administrative system?**

As a commune, Castellane is a territorial subdivision of France, a system that originated in 1789 during the French Revolution. It belongs to the arrondissement of Castellane, which is itself an administrative division of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.

## Why It Matters

Castellane matters as a historical and administrative center in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, serving as the chef-lieu of its arrondissement. The town acts as a gateway to the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), one of France's most dramatic natural landmarks, making it significant for tourism and outdoor recreation in the region. Its position as an administrative center for the surrounding rural communities provides essential governmental services to residents of the mountainous area. The commune represents the organizational structure of French local government, where communes serve as the lowest level of territorial administration, grouped into arrondissements and departments within the broader regional framework.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Center**: Serves as the chef-lieu of the arrondissement of Castellane
- **Verdon Gateway**: Known as a gateway town to the Verdon Gorge, one of Europe's most spectacular river canyons
- **Alpine Location**: Situated in the mountainous Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department at an elevation providing access to Alpine landscapes
- **Historical Commune**: Part of France's territorial structure since the commune system was established in 1789

## Body

### Geography and Location

Castellane is positioned at coordinates 43.846666666667°N latitude and 6.5133333333333°E longitude in southeastern France. The commune lies within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department (department number 04) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The town is situated in the Verdon valley, a region characterized by dramatic limestone cliffs, clear river waters, and proximity to the famous Verdon Gorge. This geographical positioning makes Castellane a strategic location for accessing the natural wonders of the French Alps.

### Administrative Structure

Castellane occupies an important position within the French administrative hierarchy. It serves as the chef-lieu (administrative center) of the arrondissement of Castellane, one of the arrondissements within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department. The commune itself is a fundamental unit of French territorial organization, a system that traces its origins to the French Revolution of 1789 when communes were established as the basic territorial subdivision for municipalities. Castellane is part of a hierarchical structure that includes communes, arrondissements, departments, and regions, with each level serving distinct administrative functions.

### Historical Context

The commune of Castellane has existed as part of France's territorial structure since the establishment of the commune system in 1789. The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, making it one of the original departments formed from the former province of Provence. This historical foundation means that Castellane has been continuously organized within the French departmental system for over two centuries.

### Demographics and Community

Based on available historical data, Castellane's population has fluctuated between approximately 1,100 and 1,630 residents across various census periods. These figures are consistent with a small French commune in a mountainous rural area, where population tends to be modest compared to urban centers. The commune serves as a local service center for the surrounding rural communities, providing administrative, commercial, and social functions for residents of the Verdon valley region.

### Tourism and Regional Significance

Castellane serves as an important gateway for tourism in the Verdon region. The town provides access to the Verdon Gorge (Gorges du Verdon), a spectacular river canyon known for its turquoise waters, climbing routes, and hiking trails. This natural attraction brings visitors to Castellane throughout the year, supporting local economy and establishing the town as a base for exploring one of France's most renowned natural landscapes. The Verdon region is part of the larger Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, famous for its Mediterranean climate, lavender fields, and Alpine scenery.

### Connectivity and Infrastructure

The commune maintains administrative connectivity through its official website at http://www.mairie-castellane.fr, allowing residents and visitors to access municipal services and information. The town's position at 43.846666666667°N 6.5133333333333°E places it within the Alpine road network, connecting it to other communes in the region and providing access to the broader French transportation infrastructure.

### Relationship to French Institutional Framework

Castellane exists within a complex web of French institutional relationships. As a commune, it is a territorial collectivity governed by the French state. It belongs to the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which itself is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The arrondissement of Castellane, for which Castellane serves as the chef-lieu, is an administrative division that organizes communes for purposes of state representation and administrative coordination. This multi-layered system reflects the French approach to decentralized administration, where local communes are grouped into progressively larger administrative units while maintaining distinct governmental functions.

## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Source](https://www.bungalowparkoverzicht.nl/plaats/castellane/)
25. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File