# Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q844218](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q844218)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cruzilles-l-s-m-pillat

## Summary
Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat is a commune located in the Ain department of France, within the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse. Established in 1865, it is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 800–900 residents, situated at coordinates 46.2247°N, 4.8806°E.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune (municipality) in France.
- **Location**: Ain department, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, France.
- **Arrondissement**: Bourg-en-Bresse.
- **Inception**: June 14, 1865.
- **Population**: Varied historically, with recent estimates including 831 (2018), 880 (2019), and 984 (2020).
- **Coordinates**: 46.224722222222°N, 4.8805555555556°E.
- **Website**: [http://www.cruzilleslesmepillat.fr](http://www.cruzilleslesmepillat.fr).
- **Administrative Context**: Part of the Ain département (created March 4, 1790).
- **Sitelink Count**: 51 (Wikidata references).

## FAQs

**What is a commune in France?**
A commune is the smallest administrative division in France, functioning as a municipality with local governance. Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat operates under this system, managing local services, infrastructure, and community affairs.

**Where is Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat located?**
It is situated in the Ain department of eastern France, within the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse. The commune lies at approximately 46.2247°N latitude and 4.8806°E longitude.

**When was Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat established?**
The commune was officially founded on June 14, 1865.

**How large is the population of Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat?**
Population figures have varied over time, with recent data showing 831 (2018), 880 (2019), and 984 (2020). Historical records indicate fluctuations between 477 (earlier data) and 984.

**What is the administrative structure of Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat?**
As a French commune, it is governed by a municipal council and mayor, operating under the broader administration of the Ain department and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.

## Why It Matters
Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat represents the foundational unit of local governance in France, embodying the country’s decentralized administrative model. As a rural commune in the Ain department, it contributes to the preservation of regional identity, agricultural heritage, and community cohesion in eastern France. Its existence reflects the broader French commitment to maintaining local autonomy while integrating into national and regional frameworks.

## Notable For
- **Historical Establishment**: Founded in 1865, marking its long-standing presence in the Ain department.
- **Population Dynamics**: Demonstrates rural demographic trends, with steady growth in recent years (e.g., 984 in 2020).
- **Geographic Precision**: Located at 46.2247°N, 4.8806°E, providing a clear spatial reference within France.
- **Administrative Role**: Serves as a functional commune under the Bourg-en-Bresse arrondissement, illustrating France’s local governance structure.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat is positioned in the Ain department of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region in eastern France. The commune’s coordinates are 46.224722222222°N latitude and 4.8805555555556°E longitude, placing it within the broader rural landscape of the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse. The area is characterized by the typical topography of the Ain region, which includes rolling hills and agricultural land.

### Administrative Context
The commune operates within the French administrative hierarchy as part of the Ain département, established on March 4, 1790. Ain is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution and remains a key administrative unit in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse, which oversees multiple communes in the area.

### Demographics
Population data for Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat shows variability over time, with recorded figures including:
- 831 (2018)
- 880 (2019)
- 984 (2020)
Historical records also note earlier populations such as 477, 500, and 580, indicating fluctuations likely tied to rural migration patterns and economic changes. The commune’s demographic profile aligns with broader trends in rural France, where smaller municipalities experience gradual shifts in residency.

### Governance and Infrastructure
As a French commune, Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat is governed by a municipal council (*conseil municipal*) and a mayor (*maire*), elected by local residents. The commune’s website ([http://www.cruzilleslesmepillat.fr](http://www.cruzilleslesmepillat.fr)) serves as a digital platform for local governance, providing information on services, events, and administrative procedures.

### Historical Significance
The commune’s establishment on June 14, 1865, marks its formal recognition within the French administrative system. This date reflects the broader historical context of 19th-century France, where local governance structures were solidified following the Napoleonic era and subsequent political reforms.

### Relationship to Broader French Systems
Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat exemplifies the French model of decentralized administration, where communes serve as the primary units of local governance. Its integration into the Ain department and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region highlights the layered administrative framework that balances local autonomy with regional and national oversight.

### Cultural and Economic Role
While specific cultural or economic data for Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat is not provided in the source material, its status as a rural commune suggests a focus on agriculture, local traditions, and community-based activities. Such municipalities often play a role in preserving regional heritage, including dialects, festivals, and artisanal practices.

### Connections to Other Entities
- **Ain Department**: The broader administrative unit governing Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat, established in 1790.
- **Bourg-en-Bresse Arrondissement**: The sub-prefecture overseeing the commune’s administrative functions.
- **Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region**: The larger regional context within which the commune operates.

### Technical and Digital Presence
The commune maintains an official website, which serves as a hub for local information, including municipal services, announcements, and community resources. This digital presence reflects modern efforts to enhance transparency and accessibility in local governance.

### Future Outlook
As a small rural commune, Cruzilles-lès-Mépillat’s future will likely be shaped by broader trends in French rural development, including demographic changes, economic diversification, and infrastructure investments. Its continued role in local governance ensures its relevance within the Ain department and the broader French administrative system.

## References

1. French National Directory of Representatives
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. 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. [Source](https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6107752r/f8.item)
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. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)