# Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal

> commune in Cantal, France

**Wikidata**: [Q269276](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269276)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/champs-sur-tarentaine-marchal

## Summary

Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal is a commune located in the Cantal department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-central France. Situated along the Tarentaine river at coordinates 45.395833° N latitude and 2.560833° E longitude, it serves as part of the arrondissement of Mauriac. The commune was officially established in its current form on January 1, 1972, and has historically been part of the canton of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal until its dissolution in March 2015.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Department**: Cantal (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Mauriac
- **Historical Canton**: Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal (until March 2015)
- **Inception Date**: January 1, 1972
- **Geographic Coordinates**: 45.395833° N, 2.560833° E
- **Watercourse**: Tarentaine (river)
- **Commune Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision, inception: 1789)
- **Population Range**: 1,015 to 1,342 (recorded census figures across multiple years)
- **Wikipedia Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Cantal, France

## FAQs

**What region and department is Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal located in?**

Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, specifically within the Cantal department. It is part of the arrondissement of Mauriac, which is one of the administrative divisions governing local governance in the department.

**When was Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal officially established?**

The commune was officially established on January 1, 1972. Prior to this, the area was organized under different administrative structures, including the historical canton of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal, which existed until March 2015 when French administrative boundaries were reorganized.

**What geographic features define Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal?**

The commune is located along the Tarentaine river, a watercourse that flows through the Cantal department. Its precise coordinates are 45.395833° north latitude and 2.560833° east longitude, placing it in the mountainous central-southern region of France known for its volcanic landscape in the Massif Central.

**What is the population of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal?**

Population figures recorded across various census years show numbers ranging from approximately 1,015 to 1,342 residents, indicating a small rural commune in the Cantal department. These population figures reflect the commune's status as a modest rural settlement in the Auvergne region.

**What administrative changes affected Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal?**

The canton of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal, which the commune belonged to, was dissolved in March 2015 as part of France's administrative reorganization. This change reflects broader reforms in French local government structure, where cantons were reorganized to better represent population distribution and administrative efficiency.

## Why It Matters

Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal represents a quintessential example of rural French communal organization in the historic region of Cantal. While small in population, the commune embodies the preservation of traditional French municipal structures that date back to the French Revolution era, when communes were first established as fundamental territorial divisions in 1789.

The commune's location along the Tarentaine river connects it to the broader geographical and cultural identity of the Cantal department, which is renowned for its mountainous terrain, volcanic formations, and pastoral agricultural traditions. The area contributes to France's rural heritage, maintaining agricultural activities and traditional village life that characterize much of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

From an administrative perspective, Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal's establishment in 1972 reflects the ongoing evolution of French local government boundaries. The commune's participation in the former canton of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal until 2015 demonstrates the dynamic nature of French administrative organization, where boundaries are periodically adjusted to reflect demographic shifts and governance needs.

The commune's sitelink count of 41 on Wikidata indicates modest but consistent digital documentation, suggesting it maintains a presence in international knowledge bases that track French municipalities. This digital footprint contributes to the broader documentation of France's 34,955+ communes, each representing a unique administrative unit within the nation's democratic structure.

## Notable For

- **Historical Administrative Continuity**: The commune maintains the traditional French municipal structure established during the Revolution era, connecting it to over two centuries of local governance tradition.
- **Geographic Location in Massif Central**: Positioned in the Cantal department, which contains some of the most significant volcanic terrain in France, part of the Chaîne des Puys volcanic chain.
- **River Heritage**: Named in connection with the Tarentaine river, a watercourse that has shaped local geography and settlement patterns.
- **Post-1972 Establishment**: The commune's official inception in 1972 makes it a relatively modern administrative creation within the context of French municipal history.
- **Cantal Departmental Identity**: Part of Cantal, one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790, maintaining administrative continuity for over two centuries.

## Body

### Geography and Location

Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal is geographically positioned at coordinates 45.395833° north latitude and 2.560833° east longitude, placing it in the southern-central portion of the Cantal department. The commune is situated along the Tarentaine river, a watercourse that traverses the region and contributes to the local hydrological network. The terrain reflects the characteristic volcanic landscape of the Massif Central, with elevation variations typical of this mountainous region in south-central France.

The commune lies within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region, one of eighteen regions in metropolitan France. Cantal itself is renowned for its rugged topography, being one of the most sparsely populated departments in France while maintaining strong agricultural and pastoral traditions.

### Administrative History

The establishment of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal as a commune dates to January 1, 1972, representing a relatively recent creation within the French municipal framework. This inception date places it among the communes formed during the Fifth Republic period, when administrative reorganization and modernization were underway in French local government.

Prior to and following its establishment, the commune was part of the canton of Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal. This canton served as an electoral district for the departmental council until March 2015, when French administrative reforms led to the dissolution and reorganization of cantonal boundaries across the country. The cantonal reform aimed to better balance electoral representation with current population distributions.

Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal falls under the arrondissement of Mauriac, one of the administrative subdivisions within the Cantal department. The department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, as part of the initial division of France into 83 departments. Cantal was formed from the southern part of the former province of Auvergne.

### Demographics and Population

The commune's population figures, recorded across multiple census years, demonstrate the demographic characteristics typical of rural French communes. Population numbers have fluctuated between approximately 1,015 and 1,342 residents across various census periods, reflecting the broader trend of rural depopulation that has affected many communes in the Massif Central region.

These population figures position Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal as a small rural commune, characteristic of the many municipalities that dot the Cantal landscape. The commune's modest population is consistent with the departmental profile of Cantal, which remains one of the least densely populated departments in France despite its significant geographic area.

### Relationship to French Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal operates as the lowest level of administrative division in the French system. The commune structure dates to 1789, when the French Revolution abolished the previous feudal administrative divisions and established communes as the fundamental territorial units of local governance.

The commune operates under the general framework of French municipal law, with a mayor and municipal council responsible for local administration, public services, and local planning. This structure applies uniformly across all 34,955+ communes in France, from the smallest rural villages to the largest cities like Paris and Marseille.

### Connection to Tarentaine

The commune's name directly references the Tarentaine river, a watercourse that flows through the Cantal department. This connection to the river reflects the traditional French naming convention where communes are often named for their geographic features or locations relative to significant natural landmarks. The Tarentaine river has historically supported local agriculture, provided water resources, and contributed to the settlement patterns of the region.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal participates in the broader cultural and administrative identity of the Cantal department. Cantal is known for its distinctive cheese production (including Cantal cheese, one of France's oldest AOC-protected cheeses), its medieval architecture, and its preserved natural landscapes. The department attracts visitors interested in hiking, nature, and traditional French rural life.

The commune's location within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region places it in one of France's most geographically diverse regions, encompassing mountain ranges, volcanic plateaus, river valleys, and forested areas. This regional diversity supports tourism, agriculture, and outdoor recreational activities that contribute to the local economy.

### Digital Presence and Documentation

With a Wikipedia sitelink count of 41, Champs-sur-Tarentaine-Marchal maintains a modest but established presence in international knowledge databases. This documentation reflects the systematic recording of French communes in digital formats, enabling research, reference, and information sharing across linguistic and national boundaries.

The Wikidata entry for the commune includes structured data covering its geographic coordinates, inception date, administrative relationships, and population statistics. This digital documentation supports automated knowledge systems, research applications, and cross-referencing capabilities that characterize modern knowledge base infrastructure.

## 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 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)