# Dreux

> French commune in Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire

**Wikidata**: [Q142410](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q142410)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dreux

## Summary
Dreux is a French commune located in the Eure-et-Loir department within the Centre-Val de Loire region of Western Europe. It serves as a significant administrative hub, hosting the arrondissement of Dreux and acting as the seat for the cantons of Dreux-1 and Dreux-2 following the 2015 reorganization. The town is historically notable for the Dreux Royal Chapel, established in 1816, and maintains a population fluctuating between approximately 29,000 and 35,000 residents.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: French commune (municipality).
- **Location**: Eure-et-Loir department, Centre-Val de Loire region, France.
- **Coordinates**: 48.736388888889° N, 1.3655555555556° E.
- **Administrative Division**: Seat of the arrondissement of Dreux.
- **Cantonal Status**: Seat of cantons Dreux-1 and Dreux-2 (established March 22, 2015).
- **Former Cantons**: Formerly divided into cantons of Dreux-Est, Dreux-Ouest, and Dreux-Sud (disbanded March 2015).
- **Population Data**: Recorded figures include 31,373; 30,836; 31,575; 31,044; 30,664; 29,408; 33,101; 33,379; 35,230; 31,849; 32,723; 30,536; 30,646; 30,744; 30,879; 31,205; and 31,543.
- **Official Website**: http://www.dreux.com.
- **Key Landmark**: Dreux Royal Chapel (inception: 1816).
- **Infrastructure**: Home to the Dreux-Vernouillet airfield.
- **Country Context**: Part of France, a country with origins tracing to the Treaty of Verdun (843 AD) and the First French Empire (1804).
- **Department Context**: Located in Eure-et-Loir, a department created on March 4, 1790.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Dreux.
- **Sitelink Count**: 70.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Dreux within France?**
Dreux is a commune situated in the Eure-et-Loir department of the Centre-Val de Loire region. It functions as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Dreux and was reorganized in 2015 to become the seat for the cantons of Dreux-1 and Dreux-2.

**How has the population of Dreux changed over time?**
The commune's population has fluctuated across various census counts, ranging from a low of 29,408 to a high of 35,230. Specific recorded figures include 31,373, 30,836, 31,575, 31,044, 30,664, 33,101, 33,379, 31,849, 32,723, 30,536, 30,646, 30,744, 30,879, 31,205, 31,543, and 31,575.

**What historical and cultural sites are located in Dreux?**
The most prominent historical structure is the Dreux Royal Chapel, which was established in the year 1816. This site is located within the Eure-et-Loir department and serves as a key cultural landmark for the commune.

**What transportation infrastructure exists in the area?**
The commune is served by the Dreux-Vernouillet airfield, which provides aviation facilities within the region. Additionally, as part of France, the commune adheres to national standards such as driving on the right side of the road and using the Euro currency.

**How did the cantonal divisions of Dreux evolve?**
Prior to March 2015, the area was divided into three former cantons: Dreux-Est, Dreux-Ouest, and Dreux-Sud. Following the administrative reorganization on March 22, 2015, these were replaced by the current cantons of Dreux-1 and Dreux-2.

## Why It Matters
Dreux matters as a vital administrative and historical node within the Centre-Val de Loire region, anchoring the arrondissement of Dreux and serving as a focal point for local governance. Its significance is amplified by the presence of the Dreux Royal Chapel, a structure dating back to 1816 that connects the commune to the broader history of the French monarchy and religious heritage. As a commune with a dynamic population history and established infrastructure like the Dreux-Vernouillet airfield, it represents the continuity of French municipal organization from the departmental creation of 1790 to the modern cantonal reforms of 2015. The entity's high number of Wikipedia sitelinks (70) indicates its relevance as a subject of public interest and digital knowledge, bridging local French geography with global information networks.

## Notable For
- **Royal Heritage**: Host of the Dreux Royal Chapel, founded in 1816.
- **Administrative Hub**: Seat of the arrondissement of Dreux.
- **Cantonal Reorganization**: Transitioned from three former cantons (Est, Ouest, Sud) to two new cantons (Dreux-1, Dreux-2) in 2015.
- **Aviation Infrastructure**: Location of the Dreux-Vernouillet airfield.
- **Demographic Fluctuation**: Exhibits a wide range of recorded population figures, peaking at 35,230 and dipping to 29,408.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains an official website at http://www.dreux.com and holds 70 Wikipedia sitelinks.
- **Historical Continuity**: Exists within a department (Eure-et-Loir) established in 1790 and a country (France) with origins in 843 AD.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Dreux is situated in the Eure-et-Loir department, which is part of the Centre-Val de Loire region in France. The commune is geographically positioned at latitude 48.736388888889 and longitude 1.3655555555556. It falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Dreux. The broader context of its location includes France, a country primarily in Western Europe with origins dating back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD, which established West Francia, and the First French Empire proclaimed in 1804. The department of Eure-et-Loir itself was created on March 4, 1790.

### Administrative Structure and Cantons
The commune serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Dreux. Its cantonal structure has undergone significant changes over time. Historically, the area was divided into three former cantons: the canton of Dreux-Est, the canton of Dreux-Ouest, and the canton of Dreux-Sud. These three entities existed until March 2015. Following the reorganization on March 22, 2015, the commune became the seat for two new cantons: the canton of Dreux-1 and the canton of Dreux-2. This shift reflects the broader administrative evolution of French territorial subdivisions, which date back to the inception of the commune system in 1789.

### Demographics and Population History
The population of Dreux has varied significantly across different census periods. Recorded population figures include 31,373, 30,836, 31,575, 31,044, 30,664, 29,408, 33,101, 33,379, 35,230, 31,849, 32,723, 30,536, 30,646, 30,744, 30,879, 31,205, 31,543, and 31,575. The highest recorded figure in this dataset is 35,230, while the lowest is 29,408. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of the commune's demographic profile over the years. The data points to a community that has experienced periods of growth and decline, maintaining a population generally within the 30,000 to 33,000 range in recent decades.

### Infrastructure and Facilities
Dreux is home to specific infrastructure assets that support its local economy and connectivity. Notably, the commune hosts the Dreux-Vernouillet airfield, a facility dedicated to aviation activities. As part of the French Republic, the commune adheres to national standards, including driving on the right side of the road and utilizing the Euro as currency. The commune also maintains an official digital presence through its website, http://www.dreux.com, which serves as a primary information source for residents and visitors.

### Historical and Cultural Landmarks
The most significant historical structure in the commune is the Dreux Royal Chapel. This chapel was established in the year 1816 and is located in the Eure-et-Loir department. It stands as a testament to the region's royal connections and religious history. The existence of this landmark contributes to the cultural identity of Dreux and distinguishes it from other communes in the region. The chapel's inception date places it in the post-Napoleonic era, aligning with the restoration period of the French monarchy.

### Digital and Informational Presence
Dreux has a substantial footprint in digital knowledge bases, evidenced by a sitelink count of 70 on Wikipedia. The entity is identified by the Wikipedia title "Dreux" and is described as a French commune in Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire. This high level of documentation underscores the commune's importance as a subject of public interest. The detailed records of its administrative changes, population statistics, and landmarks ensure that it remains a well-documented entity within the global knowledge ecosystem.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.dreux.com/jumelage/)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. Quora
27. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
28. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File