# Charolles

> commune in Saône-et-Loire, France

**Wikidata**: [Q213509](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q213509)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charolles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charolles

## Summary
Charolles is a commune located in the Saône-et-Loire department of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. It serves as a sub-prefecture within the arrondissement of Charolles and is historically linked to the natural region of Charolais. The entity is geographically defined by coordinates 46.434444444444° N, 4.2752777777778° E and has a population fluctuating between approximately 2,757 and 3,199 residents based on recent census data.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Saône-et-Loire department, France.
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Part of the arrondissement of Charolles and the canton of Charolles (established March 22, 2015).
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 46.434444444444, Longitude 4.2752777777778.
- **Population Data**: Recorded values include 2,757, 2,758, 3,199, 2,785, 2,810, 2,888, 2,849, 2,819, 2,789, and 2,772.
- **Official Website**: http://www.ville-charolles.fr.
- **Historical Aliases**: Formerly known as Phorien-lès-Charolles; Saint-Symphorien-lès-Charolles was merged into Charolles.
- **Regional Context**: Situated within the natural region and former province of Charolais.
- **Related Municipalities**: Neighboring communes include Lugny-lès-Charolles and Vendenesse-lès-Charolles.
- **Wikidata Presence**: 50 sitelinks across various language editions.
- **Country Context**: Located in France, a country with origins tracing back to the Treaty of Verdun (843) and the First French Empire (1804).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Charolles within the French government structure?**
Charolles functions as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France, situated within the Saône-et-Loire department. It also serves as the seat of the arrondissement of Charolles and falls under the jurisdiction of the canton of Charolles, which was reorganized in March 2015.

**How has the population of Charolles changed in recent records?**
Census data indicates that the population of Charolles has varied between a low of 2,757 and a high of 3,199 across different measurement years. Specific recorded figures include 2,758, 2,785, 2,810, 2,888, 2,849, 2,819, 2,789, and 2,772, reflecting minor fluctuations over time.

**What historical names or mergers are associated with Charolles?**
The entity has historical aliases such as Phorien-lès-Charolles. Additionally, the nearby commune of Saint-Symphorien-lès-Charolles was historically reunited with Charolles, consolidating the municipal boundaries.

**Which neighboring towns and regions are geographically connected to Charolles?**
Charolles is located in the natural region known as Charolais and is surrounded by other communes in the Saône-et-Loire department, specifically Lugny-lès-Charolles and Vendenesse-lès-Charolles. These entities share the same departmental and national context within France.

## Why It Matters
Charolles matters as a specific administrative node within the French territorial organization, serving as the sub-prefecture for the arrondissement of Charolles. Its significance lies in its role as a local governance center that manages municipal affairs for its residents and coordinates with the broader Saône-et-Loire department. Historically, it anchors the identity of the Charolais region, a former province with distinct cultural and agricultural heritage. The commune's existence and data integrity are vital for accurate demographic tracking, local resource allocation, and the preservation of regional history within the French Republic.

## Notable For
- **Sub-Prefecture Status**: Serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Charolles.
- **Historical Mergers**: Known for the integration of Saint-Symphorien-lès-Charolles into its territory.
- **Regional Identity**: Acts as a focal point for the Charolais natural region and former province.
- **Demographic Stability**: Maintains a consistent population range around 2,800 residents across multiple census years.
- **Canton Reorganization**: Home to the canton of Charolles, established on March 22, 2015.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website at http://www.ville-charolles.fr.
- **Geographic Precision**: Defined by exact coordinates (46.434444444444° N, 4.2752777777778° E) for navigation and mapping.

## Body

### Administrative and Geographic Structure
Charolles is classified as a commune, the fundamental unit of local government in France, established as a territorial subdivision in 1789. It is located in the Saône-et-Loire department, which was created on March 4, 1790, within the country of France. The commune functions as the seat of the arrondissement of Charolles, an administrative division containing 27 linked entities. It is also the center of the canton of Charolles, a judicial and electoral district established on March 22, 2015. Geographically, the commune is situated at latitude 46.434444444444 and longitude 4.2752777777778. It lies within the natural region and former province of Charolais, a historical area known for its distinct identity.

### Demographics and Population Data
The population of Charolles has been recorded with varying figures across different census periods. The data points include 2,757, 2,758, 3,199, 2,785, 2,810, 2,888, 2,849, 2,819, 2,789, and 2,772. These figures reflect the demographic fluctuations of the commune over time. The entity maintains a stable population base typical of rural French communes, serving as a residential and administrative hub for the surrounding area.

### Historical Context and Aliases
The entity has evolved through historical name changes and territorial mergers. It was formerly known by the alias Phorien-lès-Charolles. A significant historical event in its formation was the reunion of the commune of Saint-Symphorien-lès-Charolles with Charolles, consolidating the two into a single municipal entity. This merger expanded the commune's territory and integrated the population of Saint-Symphorien-lès-Charolles into the administrative framework of Charolles.

### Related Entities and Neighboring Communes
Charolles is part of a network of related entities within the Saône-et-Loire department. It is directly connected to the commune of Lugny-lès-Charolles and the commune of Vendenesse-lès-Charolles, both of which share the same departmental and national context. These neighboring communes are part of the broader arrondissement of Charolles. The entity also shares a relationship with the canton of Charolles, which was reorganized in 2015 to include these localities. The arrondissement itself is a subdivision of France, with 27 linked entities, and the canton has 13 linked entities.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Charolles maintains an official digital presence through its municipal website, accessible at http://www.ville-charolles.fr. The entity is well-represented in knowledge bases, with a sitelink count of 50 across various language editions of Wikipedia. Its Wikidata description explicitly identifies it as a "commune in Saône-et-Loire, France." The entity is also linked to 83 other communes of France, highlighting its integration into the national network of municipalities.

### National Context: France
As a commune in France, Charolles is subject to the laws and administrative structures of the French Republic. France is a country located primarily in Western Europe, with origins dating back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia. The country has undergone significant historical changes, including the formation of the First French Empire in 1804. France operates as a semi-presidential republic with a population of approximately 68.6 million (2025 estimate) and a capital in Paris. The nation is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The currency used in metropolitan France is the Euro, while the official language is French. The country's borders include Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra, as well as overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.

## 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. MusicBrainz
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 2019
13. Populations légales 2020
14. Populations légales 2021
15. Populations de référence 2022
16. Populations de référence 2023
17. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
24. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File