# Champoléon

> commune in Hautes-Alpes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q612664](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q612664)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champoléon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/champol-on

## Summary

Champoléon is a commune located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, situated within the Écrins National Park region of the French Alps. The municipality sits at coordinates 44.72°N latitude and 6.26°E longitude and serves as part of the arrondissement of Gap. With a historical population that has fluctuated between approximately 102 and 148 residents across various census periods, Champoléon represents a small mountain community in one of France's most scenic alpine regions.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Champoléon
- **Alternative Spelling**: Champolion (alias)
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Hautes-Alpes (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Gap
- **Administrative Type**: Commune of France (inception: 1789)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 44.720555555556°N, Longitude 6.2611111111111°E
- **National Park**: Part of Écrins National Park (inception: March 27, 1973)
- **Population Range**: 102 to 148 residents (historical census data)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Champoléon
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Hautes-Alpes, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 40

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Champoléon?**
Champoléon is a commune, which is the smallest administrative division in France, comparable to a municipality or township. It is located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France and falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Gap.

**What geographical features define Champoléon's location?**
Champoléon is situated in the French Alps, specifically within the boundaries of Écrins National Park, one of France's ten national parks established in 1973. The commune sits at approximately 44.72°N latitude and 6.26°E longitude in a mountainous region characterized by alpine terrain.

**Which larger administrative structures govern Champoléon?**
Champoléon is governed through a hierarchical administrative system: it is a commune within the Hautes-Alpes department, which is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. The department of Hautes-Alpes was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution and is named after the Alps mountain range. At the sub-departmental level, Champoléon belongs to the arrondissement of Gap.

**What is the population of Champoléon?**
Champoléon is a small mountain commune with population figures historically ranging from 102 to 148 residents across various census periods, indicating a modest-sized rural community typical of alpine municipalities in the region.

## Why It Matters

Champoléon matters as a representative example of France's alpine commune system and serves as a gateway to one of the nation's most protected mountain environments. As part of Écrins National Park, the commune contributes to France's commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable mountain development. The area represents the intersection of traditional rural French community life with environmental stewardship, showcasing how small municipalities play vital roles in preserving natural heritage while maintaining local cultural traditions.

The commune's location in the heart of the French Alps places it within a region of significant geological, ecological, and recreational importance. The Alps attract millions of visitors annually for hiking, skiing, and mountaineering, making communities like Champoléon essential to France's outdoor tourism economy. Additionally, the commune demonstrates the French administrative model's ability to organize and govern even the most remote mountain settlements through the commune system that has existed since 1789.

## Notable For

- **Alpine Conservation**: Located within Écrins National Park, one of France's premier nature protection areas established in 1973
- **Mountain Geography**: Situated in the Hautes-Alpes department, one of the most mountainous departments in metropolitan France
- **Historical Administration**: Part of France's commune system dating back to 1789
- **Strategic Location**: Positioned in the arrondissement of Gap, a key administrative and economic center for the southern French Alps

## Body

### Geography and Location

Champoléon is a commune situated in the southeastern region of France, specifically within the Hautes-Alpes department. The municipality occupies coordinates at latitude 44.720555555556°N and longitude 6.2611111111111°E, placing it squarely within the core zone of the French Alps mountain range. The commune's geographical position places it in a landscape characterized by high-altitude terrain, alpine valleys, and proximity to some of the most significant peaks in Western Europe.

The territory of Champoléon falls entirely within the boundaries of Écrins National Park, France's tenth national park, which was officially established on March 27, 1973. This designation ensures the protection of the region's unique alpine ecosystems, including its flora, fauna, and geological formations. The national park covers a substantial area of mountainous terrain, making it a critical conservation area in the French Alps.

### Administrative Structure

Champoléon operates within France's hierarchical administrative system, which organizes territorial governance at multiple levels. At the base of this structure lies the commune, which represents the lowest level of administrative division in France. The commune system was formalized during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous feudal administrative units.

Above the communal level, Champoléon is part of the Hautes-Alpes department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. The department takes its name directly from the Alps mountain range, reflecting its geographic identity as one of France's most alpine departments. Hautes-Alpes is located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France.

At the sub-departmental level, Champoléon belongs to the arrondissement of Gap, which serves as an administrative division coordinating various communes within a defined geographic area. The city of Gap itself serves as the principal administrative center for this arrondissement and the broader department.

### Demographics and Community

As a small mountain commune, Champoléon represents the demographic characteristics typical of rural alpine communities in France. The population figures recorded across various census periods show fluctuations between 102 and 148 residents, indicating a modest-sized community that has experienced both growth and decline over time. These population dynamics reflect broader trends affecting rural mountain municipalities across France, where factors such as economic opportunities, accessibility, and lifestyle preferences influence residential decisions.

The commune functions as a traditional French local government unit, with a mayor and municipal council responsible for local affairs, public services, and community development. The small population size fosters a close-knit community structure where residents typically maintain strong connections to local traditions and the surrounding natural environment.

### Historical Context

The commune of Champoléon traces its administrative origins to the French Revolution, which fundamentally restructured France's territorial organization in 1789. The revolutionary government abolished the old provinces and parishes, replacing them with a uniform system of departments, arrondissements, and communes. This system, with some modifications, has endured to the present day, making Champoléon part of an administrative framework that has existed for over two centuries.

The establishment of Écrins National Park in 1973 marked a significant milestone in the history of Champoléon and the surrounding region. The national park designation brought increased environmental protections and recognition to the area, while also establishing frameworks for sustainable tourism and economic development that balance conservation with community needs.

### Regional Significance

Champoléon's location within the French Alps places it in one of Europe's most significant mountain regions. The Alps extend across approximately 1,200 kilometers, spanning eight countries, with the French Alps comprising the western portion of this mountain range. The region is renowned for its dramatic peaks, glacial valleys, and ecological diversity, supporting numerous endemic species and distinct alpine habitats.

The Hautes-Alpes department specifically is recognized as one of the most mountainous departments in metropolitan France, with elevations ranging from approximately 400 meters in the valley bottoms to over 4,000 meters at the highest peaks. This geography creates conditions for diverse recreational activities, including hiking, mountaineering, skiing, and climbing, which form important components of the local and regional economy.

### Connection to French Administrative System

As a commune of France, Champoléon participates in the country's distinctive system of local governance that combines central state authority with local autonomy. The commune operates as a territorial collectivity with its own budget, competencies, and elected officials, while remaining subject to national legislation and administrative oversight. This system allows for localized governance while maintaining national coherence in public policy and administrative standards.

The commune's sitelink count of 40 indicates moderate digital presence and recognition across Wikimedia projects, reflecting its status as a recognized administrative unit within the French territorial system. The Wikipedia article titled "Champoléon" provides additional documentation about the municipality, contributing to public knowledge about this alpine community.

### Environmental and Cultural Heritage

Champoléon, as part of Écrins National Park, contributes to France's network of protected areas that preserve natural heritage for future generations. The national park encompasses diverse ecosystems, including alpine meadows, forests, glacial lakes, and high-altitude zones, supporting populations of chamois, ibex, golden eagles, and numerous other species. The park's management balances conservation objectives with sustainable human activities, including traditional agriculture, forestry, and nature-based tourism.

The cultural heritage of Champoléon and similar alpine communes reflects centuries of human adaptation to mountain environments. Traditional architecture, local customs, and agricultural practices have evolved in response to the challenges and opportunities presented by alpine geography. These cultural elements, combined with the natural landscape, create the distinctive character that defines mountain communities throughout the French Alps.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. [Source](https://archives.hautes-alpes.fr/archive/fonds/FRAD005_E-DEPOT_99/)
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
12. Populations légales 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
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)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)