# Fourilles

> commune in Allier, France

**Wikidata**: [Q666272](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q666272)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourilles)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fourilles

## Summary
Fourilles 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 200 inhabitants, situated in the canton of Chantelle and part of the arrondissements of Moulins and Vichy.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Allier department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the canton of Chantelle.
- **Arrondissements**: Belongs to both the arrondissement of Moulins and the arrondissement of Vichy.
- **Population**: Historically ranges between ~187–264 inhabitants (data points include 202, 198, 201, 195, 194, 264, 237, 198, 194, 188, 203, 209, 191, 188, 187, 191, 195).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 46.241666666667, Longitude 3.1952777777778.
- **Image**: Depicted in an early 1900s photograph showing "Trois pièces de saint-pourçain devant la gare" (Three pieces of Saint-Pourçain in front of the station).
- **Wikidata Sitelinks**: 45 references across Wikimedia projects.
- **Inception of Allier Department**: March 4, 1790 (during the French Revolution).
- **Inception of French Communes**: 1789 (post-French Revolution administrative reform).

## FAQs
**Where is Fourilles located?**
Fourilles is a commune in the Allier department of central France, within the historical region of Auvergne. It lies in the canton of Chantelle and is administratively divided between the arrondissements of Moulins and Vichy.

**What is the population of Fourilles?**
The population of Fourilles has varied between approximately 187 and 264 inhabitants over recorded years, with recent data points including 202, 198, and 201 residents. It is a small rural commune typical of the French countryside.

**What administrative divisions is Fourilles part of?**
Fourilles is part of the canton of Chantelle and falls under the jurisdiction of two arrondissements: Moulins and Vichy. It is located in the Allier department, which was established on March 4, 1790.

**What is notable about the imagery of Fourilles?**
An early 1900s photograph of Fourilles depicts "Trois pièces de saint-pourçain devant la gare," showcasing a historical scene likely related to local agriculture or commerce. The image is in the public domain and hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

**How does Fourilles fit into France’s administrative structure?**
As a commune, Fourilles is the smallest administrative division in France, created in 1789 after the French Revolution. It is governed locally while being part of larger divisions like the canton, arrondissement, and department (Allier).

## Why It Matters
Fourilles represents the quintessential rural French commune, embodying the administrative and cultural fabric of France’s decentralized governance. As part of the Allier department, it contributes to the preservation of regional identity in central France, particularly within the historic Auvergne region. Its small population and rural setting highlight the demographic and economic diversity of France beyond its urban centers. The commune’s inclusion in both the Moulins and Vichy arrondissements reflects the complex administrative organization that ensures local governance while maintaining ties to broader regional networks. Additionally, historical imagery like the early 1900s photograph provides a glimpse into the agricultural and social history of the area, offering cultural value for regional heritage studies.

## Notable For
- **Rural Commune**: Exemplifies the small-scale administrative units that form the backbone of France’s local governance.
- **Dual Arrondissement Affiliation**: Uniquely part of both the Moulins and Vichy arrondissements, showcasing administrative flexibility.
- **Historical Imagery**: Features a public domain photograph from the early 1900s, documenting local life and agriculture.
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a consistent small population (187–264 inhabitants), reflecting the stability of rural French communities.
- **Canton of Chantelle**: One of the communes contributing to the canton’s administrative and cultural identity.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Fourilles is situated in the Allier department of central France, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Its coordinates are approximately 46.2417°N latitude and 3.1953°E longitude. The commune is part of the canton of Chantelle, a territorial subdivision that groups multiple communes for electoral and administrative purposes. Fourilles is also divided between two arrondissements: Moulins and Vichy, which are larger administrative districts overseeing multiple cantons.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune, Fourilles is the smallest administrative division in France, a system established in 1789 following the French Revolution. Communes are responsible for local governance, including municipal services, land use planning, and public facilities. The Allier department, where Fourilles is located, was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary reorganization of French territories. The department is named after the Allier River and is known for its rural landscapes and historical towns.

Fourilles’ affiliation with both the Moulins and Vichy arrondissements is notable. Arrondissements are intermediate administrative divisions between departments and cantons, typically overseeing multiple cantons. This dual affiliation may reflect historical or logistical considerations in regional governance.

### Demographics
The population of Fourilles has fluctuated slightly over time, with recorded figures including:
- 202, 198, 201, 195, 194, 264, 237, 198, 194, 188, 203, 209, 191, 188, 187, 191, and 195 inhabitants.
These numbers indicate a small, stable rural community typical of many French communes outside major urban areas. The demographic profile likely reflects an aging population with limited migration, common in rural France.

### Historical and Cultural Context
An early 1900s photograph of Fourilles, titled "Trois pièces de saint-pourçain devant la gare," provides a historical snapshot of the commune. The image, which is in the public domain, depicts three pieces of Saint-Pourçain (a local wine or agricultural product) in front of a train station, suggesting the importance of agriculture and transportation in the commune’s history. Saint-Pourçain is a nearby town known for its wine production, indicating potential economic ties between Fourilles and neighboring areas.

The photograph is hosted on Wikimedia Commons and serves as a cultural artifact, illustrating the daily life and economic activities of the early 20th century in rural Allier.

### Related Administrative Entities
- **Canton of Chantelle**: A canton is a territorial subdivision of an arrondissement, grouping multiple communes. The canton of Chantelle includes Fourilles and other nearby communes, serving as an electoral and administrative unit.
- **Arrondissement of Moulins**: One of the three arrondissements in the Allier department, Moulins is the prefecture (administrative capital) of Allier and oversees a significant portion of the department’s communes.
- **Arrondissement of Vichy**: Known for the historic town of Vichy, this arrondissement includes communes in the southern part of Allier. Vichy is famous for its thermal baths and its role as the de facto capital of Vichy France during World War II.
- **Allier Department**: Established in 1790, Allier is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is named after the Allier River. It is predominantly rural with a mix of agriculture, forests, and small industries.

### Significance in French Governance
Fourilles, like other French communes, plays a crucial role in the country’s decentralized administrative system. Communes are responsible for local services such as schools, waste management, and road maintenance, ensuring that governance is tailored to the needs of small communities. The existence of communes like Fourilles allows for direct citizen participation in local decision-making, a cornerstone of French republican values.

The dual affiliation with the Moulins and Vichy arrondissements highlights the flexibility of France’s administrative structure, which can adapt to geographical, historical, or logistical needs. This system ensures that even small rural communes like Fourilles are integrated into broader regional networks while maintaining local autonomy.

### Economic and Social Characteristics
As a rural commune, Fourilles’ economy is likely based on agriculture, small-scale commerce, and possibly tourism related to the nearby historic sites in Allier. The presence of the early 1900s photograph suggesting agricultural trade (e.g., Saint-Pourçain wine) indicates a long-standing tradition of local production.

The commune’s small population and rural setting may present challenges typical of such areas, including aging demographics, limited economic opportunities, and dependence on nearby urban centers for services. However, it also benefits from the preservation of traditional lifestyles and close-knit community structures.

### Connection to Broader French History
The Allier department, where Fourilles is located, has a rich history tied to the French Revolution and the broader development of modern France. The department’s creation in 1790 was part of a nationwide effort to replace the old provincial system with a more rational and centralized administrative structure. This reform aimed to strengthen national unity and efficiency, principles that remain central to French governance today.

Fourilles, as a commune within this system, is a microcosm of these historical processes, reflecting both the continuity and evolution of local governance in France over more than two centuries.

## 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)