# Fleuriel

> commune in Allier, France

**Wikidata**: [Q867928](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q867928)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleuriel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fleuriel

## Summary
Fleuriel is a commune located in the Allier department of France, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 340 inhabitants, situated in the canton of Chantelle and part of the arrondissement of Moulins.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune (smallest administrative division in France)
- **Location**: Allier department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Population**: Approximately 340 inhabitants (varies between 311 and 429 across different years)
- **Coordinates**: 46.281666666667° N, 3.1780555555556° E
- **Administrative Division**:
  - **Canton**: Chantelle
  - **Arrondissement**: Moulins (also historically linked to Vichy arrondissement)
- **Department**: Allier (created March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France
- **Website**: [Official Fleuriel Page](https://www.intramuros.org/fleuriel)
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 43 references across languages

## FAQs
**Where is Fleuriel located?**
Fleuriel is a commune in the Allier department of central France, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It lies within the canton of Chantelle and the arrondissement of Moulins.

**What is the population of Fleuriel?**
The population of Fleuriel has fluctuated between approximately 311 and 429 inhabitants in recent years, with most estimates around 340 residents.

**What administrative divisions is Fleuriel part of?**
Fleuriel is part of the canton of Chantelle and the arrondissement of Moulins in the Allier department. It is also historically associated with the arrondissement of Vichy.

**When was the Allier department created?**
The Allier department, where Fleuriel is located, was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

## Why It Matters
Fleuriel represents the administrative and cultural fabric of rural France, embodying the decentralized governance structure that defines the country’s local communities. As a commune, it plays a role in preserving regional identity, managing local resources, and maintaining the social cohesion of its small population. Its existence reflects France’s commitment to decentralization, where even the smallest municipalities have autonomy in local governance.

## Notable For
- **Small Population**: A rural commune with a population consistently under 500, illustrating the demographic diversity of France’s administrative divisions.
- **Historical Arrondissement Links**: Associated with both the Moulins and Vichy arrondissements, highlighting shifts in administrative boundaries.
- **Canton of Chantelle**: Part of a smaller administrative unit that groups multiple communes for electoral and administrative purposes.
- **Allier Department**: Located in one of France’s original 83 departments, created during the French Revolution.

## Body
### Geography and Location
Fleuriel is situated in central France, within the Allier department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Its coordinates are 46.281666666667° N latitude and 3.1780555555556° E longitude. The commune is part of the canton of Chantelle, a territorial subdivision that groups nearby municipalities for administrative and electoral purposes.

### Administrative Structure
Fleuriel operates as a **commune**, the smallest administrative division in France, with local governance responsibilities. It falls under the **arrondissement of Moulins**, one of the three arrondissements in the Allier department. Historically, it has also been linked to the **arrondissement of Vichy**, reflecting past administrative reorganizations.

The **Allier department**, where Fleuriel is located, was established on **March 4, 1790**, during the French Revolution. It is one of France’s original departments and remains a key administrative unit in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

### Demographics
Fleuriel’s population has varied slightly over the years, with recorded figures including:
- 340, 337, 341, 335, 338, 429, 335, 330, 330, 311, 360, 345, 341, 344, 340, 339, and 336 inhabitants.
The average population hovers around **340 residents**, classifying it as a small rural commune typical of France’s countryside.

### Related Administrative Entities
- **Canton of Chantelle**: A territorial subdivision grouping multiple communes, including Fleuriel, for electoral and administrative efficiency.
- **Arrondissement of Moulins**: One of Allier’s three arrondissements, overseeing local governance and public services.
- **Arrondissement of Vichy**: A neighboring arrondissement with which Fleuriel has historical administrative ties.
- **Allier Department**: The broader administrative region encompassing Fleuriel, created in 1790.

### Online Presence
Fleuriel maintains an official online presence through its website: [https://www.intramuros.org/fleuriel](https://www.intramuros.org/fleuriel). This platform likely provides local information, administrative updates, and community resources.

### Historical Context
The **commune system** in France was established in **1789**, replacing earlier feudal structures with a decentralized model of local governance. Fleuriel’s existence as a commune reflects this historical shift, emphasizing local autonomy within the broader French administrative framework.

The **Allier department**, where Fleuriel resides, was among the first departments created to replace the provinces of the *Ancien Régime*. Its establishment marked a key step in France’s modernization and administrative standardization.

### Role in Local Governance
As a commune, Fleuriel is responsible for local services such as:
- **Urban planning** (land use, zoning)
- **Public infrastructure** (roads, water, waste management)
- **Education** (primary schools)
- **Social services** (elderly care, community programs)

Its small size allows for direct citizen participation in local decision-making, a hallmark of France’s decentralized governance model.

### Cultural and Regional Identity
Fleuriel contributes to the cultural and historical identity of the **Allier department**, known for its rural landscapes, medieval heritage, and agricultural traditions. The commune’s presence in the **canton of Chantelle** further ties it to a network of small municipalities that preserve regional customs and local governance practices.

### Comparison to Other Communes
Unlike larger French cities, Fleuriel exemplifies the **rural commune**—a category that makes up the majority of France’s 35,000+ municipalities. Its population size, administrative structure, and regional ties are characteristic of thousands of similar communes that form the backbone of France’s local governance system.

### Future Outlook
As part of France’s ongoing administrative reforms, communes like Fleuriel may see changes in intermunicipal cooperation, digital governance, and sustainability initiatives. However, its core role as a local administrative unit is likely to remain stable, ensuring continued autonomy for its residents.

## References

1. [prefectoral decree in France](https://www.prefectures-regions.gouv.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/irecontenu/telechargement/112588/843056/file/3janvier2023_n°-2_recueil-84-2024-002-recueil-des-actes-administratifs-special.pdf)
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. [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)