# Fravaux

> commune in Aube, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1104666](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1104666)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fravaux)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/fravaux

## Summary

Fravaux is a commune located in the Aube department in the Grand Est region of north-central France. Situated at coordinates 48.237777777778°N latitude and 4.6383333333333°E longitude, it is part of the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube. As a French commune, Fravaux operates as a territorial subdivision within the French administrative system, representing a small rural municipality in the Champagne region.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Fravaux is situated in the Aube department of France (department inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube
- **Region**: Grand Est (north-central France)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 48.237777777778°N, 4.6383333333333°E
- **Population**: Historical population figures show 57, 61, 56, 47, 40, 40, 46, 34, 47, 57, 52, 50, 37, 39, 36, 36, 36 (across multiple census periods)
- **Commune Status**: Established as a French commune since 1789
- **Wikipedia Title**: Fravaux
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aube, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Fravaux?**
Fravaux is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This administrative status has existed since 1789, following the French Revolution's reorganization of local government.

**Which department and region is Fravaux located in?**
Fravaux is located in the Aube department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. It belongs to the Grand Est region in north-central France.

**What is the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube?**
Fravaux is part of the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube, an administrative division within the Aube department. This arrondissement serves as an intermediate level of government between the department and the communes.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Fravaux?**
Fravaux is located at latitude 48.237777777778°N and longitude 4.6383333333333°E, placing it in the Champagne-Ardenne area of northeastern France.

**How has the population of Fravaux changed over time?**
Historical population data for Fravaux shows fluctuation between 34 and 61 inhabitants across multiple census periods, indicating a small rural community typical of the Champagne region's agricultural communes.

## Why It Matters

Fravaux represents the foundational unit of French local government and exemplifies the country's extensive network of rural communes. Though small in population, communes like Fravaux form the backbone of France's administrative structure, with over 35,000 such entities across the nation. The commune system, dating back to 1789, ensures local governance and representation for even the smallest communities. Fravaux's location in the Aube department places it within a region known for its Champagne wine production, agricultural significance, and historical heritage from both World Wars. Understanding Fravaux helps illustrate how France maintains its distinctive decentralized administrative system, where even minor settlements retain official municipal status and local governance capabilities.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic Champagne-Ardenne region (now integrated into Grand Est)
- Located in the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube, a traditional administrative division
- Represents the French commune system dating to 1789
- Coordinates place it within the agricultural heartland of the Aube department

## Body

### Geography and Location

Fravaux is positioned at coordinates 48.237777777778°N latitude and 4.6383333333333°E longitude in the north-central part of France. The commune lies within the Aube department, which is part of the Grand Est region. This area of France is characterized by rolling plains and agricultural land, historically associated with champagne production and grain farming. The commune's location in the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube places it within a traditional administrative framework that organizes local governance at the sub-departmental level.

### Administrative Structure

Fravaux operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial subdivision of France for municipal governance. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous feudal administrative divisions. As a commune, Fravaux functions as the lowest level of local government in France, responsible for local services, urban planning, and municipal administration. The commune is part of the Aube department, which was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary reorganization of France's administrative divisions into departments. At the intermediate level, Fravaux belongs to the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube, which administers several communes within the department.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Fravaux shows values of 57, 61, 56, 47, 40, 40, 46, 34, 47, 57, 52, 50, 37, 39, 36, 36, and 36 across multiple census periods. These figures indicate a small rural community with population fluctuations typical of French rural communes, particularly in agricultural regions where depopulation has affected many small villages since the mid-20th century. The population figures demonstrate that Fravaux has remained a very small settlement, consistent with the commune's rural character in the Champagne region.

### Historical Context

The commune of Fravaux has existed since 1789, when the French Revolution established the commune system as part of its administrative reforms. This date marks the beginning of the modern French municipal structure, which replaced the previous system of parishes and seigneurial territories. The Aube department, created in 1790, has maintained its essential boundaries throughout subsequent political changes in France, including the Napoleonic era, the restoration of the monarchy, and the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958.

### Regional Significance

Fravaux is located in the Champagne region, specifically within the part of Aube that contributes to the broader Champagne wine-producing area. The department is known for its historical significance, having been heavily affected by both World Wars, particularly the Battle of the Champagne and the fighting during World War I. The arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube, to which Fravaux belongs, takes its name from the town of Bar-sur-Aube, which has served as a local administrative and market center for the surrounding rural communes.

### Administrative Relationships

Fravaux exists within a hierarchy of French administrative divisions: France (the nation) contains the Grand Est region, which contains the Aube department, which contains the arrondissement of Bar-sur-Aube, which contains the commune of Fravaux. This hierarchical structure exemplifies France's unitary state system, where local governments are subdivisions of the national government rather than sovereign entities. The commune maintains connections to the broader French administrative system through its membership in the department and arrondissement, participating in intercommunal structures and benefiting from departmental services and coordination.

## 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. 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)