# Harfleur

> commune in Seine-Maritime, France

**Wikidata**: [Q623363](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q623363)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harfleur)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/harfleur

## Summary

Harfleur is a commune located in the Seine-Maritime department in the Normandy region of northern France. Situated near the city of Le Havre, it forms part of the arrondissement of Havre and the canton of Gonfreville-l'Orcher. The commune sits at coordinates 49.506666666667°N latitude and 0.19805555555556°E longitude, approximately 8 kilometers from the coast of the English Channel.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Normandy region, Seine-Maritime department, France
- **Administrative divisions**: Arrondissement of Havre, Canton of Gonfreville-l'Orcher
- **Coordinates**: 49.506666666667°N, 0.19805555555556°E
- **Country**: France
- **Type of entity**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision, inception: 1789)
- **Department inception**: Seine-Maritime established March 4, 1790
- **Population**: 8,167; 8,325; 8,501; 8,449; 8,395; 8,349; 8,333; 8,315; 8,296; 8,289 (various census years)
- **Website**: http://www.harfleur.fr
- **Wikipedia title**: Harfleur
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Seine-Maritime, France
- **Sitelink count**: 47
- **Railway stations**: Gare d'Harfleur, Gare d'Harfleur-Halte

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Harfleur?**
Harfleur is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It operates as a local administrative unit within the French departmental system.

**Which department and region is Harfleur located in?**
Harfleur is located in the Seine-Maritime department of the Normandy region in northern France. The department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What are the administrative divisions that contain Harfleur?**
Harfleur belongs to the arrondissement of Havre and the canton of Gonfreville-l'Orcher. It is part of the broader Normandy region in France.

**What transportation options are available in Harfleur?**
Harfleur is served by two railway stations: Gare d'Harfleur (the main station) and Gare d'Harfleur-Halte (a smaller halt station). Both are located within the commune and provide rail connections to the surrounding area.

**What is the population of Harfleur?**
Harfleur has a population of approximately 8,200 to 8,500 residents, based on census data showing multiple population figures across different years (8,167; 8,325; 8,501; 8,449; 8,395; 8,349; 8,333; 8,315; 8,296; 8,289).

**How can I find more information about Harfleur?**
The official website of Harfleur is http://www.harfleur.fr, where local government information, services, and community details can be accessed.

## Why It Matters

Harfleur matters as a historical and contemporary commune in the Normandy region, contributing to the cultural and administrative fabric of Seine-Maritime department. Its proximity to Le Havre, one of France's major ports, positions it within an economically significant area of northern France. The commune represents the traditional French municipal structure that has existed since 1789, providing local governance to its residents. Harfleur's railway connections link it to the broader regional transportation network, facilitating commuting and economic exchange with neighboring communities. As part of the canton system and arrondissement organization, it plays a role in local administrative representation and public service delivery. The commune's population of several thousand residents contributes to the demographic composition of the Le Havre metropolitan area, making it a meaningful component of regional urban planning and development.

## Notable For

- Historical commune status dating back to the French Revolution (1789)
- Location within the Normandy region, a historically significant area of France
- Proximity to Le Havre, France's second-largest port city
- Railway connectivity through two stations (Gare d'Harfleur and Gare d'Harfleur-Halte)
- Part of the canton of Gonfreville-l'Orcher, organizing local electoral representation
- Official municipal website providing digital public services to residents

## Body

### Geography and Location

Harfleur is situated in the northern French department of Seine-Maritime, which is part of the Normandy region. The commune is located at coordinates 49.506666666667°N latitude and 0.19805555555556°E longitude. Geographically, Harfleur lies approximately 8 kilometers inland from the English Channel coast, near the major port city of Le Havre. The terrain in this part of Normandy consists of gently rolling countryside typical of the Pays de Caux area, with agricultural lands and residential areas interspersed throughout the commune. The proximity to the coast influences the local climate, which is characterized by oceanic conditions with moderate temperatures and relatively high precipitation throughout the year.

### Administrative Structure

Harfleur operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial and administrative division in France for municipalities. The commune as an administrative unit was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and villages. Harfleur is part of the Seine-Maritime department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French territory following the Revolution. The department is named after the Seine River and the maritime influence of its coastal position. Within the departmental structure, Harfleur belongs to the arrondissement of Havre, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the communes. Additionally, the commune is part of the canton of Gonfreville-l'Orcher, which organizes local electoral representation for elections to the departmental council.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Harfleur has been recorded at various levels across different census years, with figures ranging from approximately 8,167 to 8,501 residents. These population numbers reflect the commune's position as a mid-sized rural commune in the Normandy region. The population figures demonstrate relative stability over time, with minor fluctuations that are typical for small French communes. The demographic profile of Harfleur likely reflects the broader characteristics of rural Normandy, including an aging population and moderate population growth or decline depending on economic conditions and housing availability. The commune serves as a residential area for workers employed in the Le Havre metropolitan area, as well as in local agricultural, commercial, and service sector employment.

### Transportation and Infrastructure

Harfleur is served by railway infrastructure through two railway stations: Gare d'Harfleur and Gare d'Harfleur-Halte. Gare d'Harfleur is the primary railway station in the commune, providing regular train services connecting Harfleur to Le Havre and other destinations in the region. The station serves as an important transportation link for commuters traveling to larger urban centers for work, education, and services. Gare d'Harfleur-Halte is a smaller railway halt that provides additional access to the rail network for residents in specific parts of the commune. The railway connections position Harfleur within the broader transportation network of the Le Havre urban area and the Normandy region, facilitating regional mobility and economic integration.

### Local Government and Services

The municipal government of Harfleur operates through the commune administrative system, providing local public services to residents. The commune maintains an official website at http://www.harfleur.fr, offering information about local government, public services, community events, and administrative procedures. The website serves as a digital interface between the municipal government and residents, enabling access to forms, schedules, and information about local facilities. As a commune, Harfleur is governed by a mayor and municipal council, who are responsible for local affairs including urban planning, municipal infrastructure, schools, cultural activities, and local taxation. The commune likely maintains facilities such as a town hall, schools, and other public buildings typical of French municipalities of its size.

### Regional Context

Harfleur's significance is closely tied to its position within the Le Havre metropolitan area. Le Havre is France's second-largest port (after Marseille) and a major economic hub in Normandy, handling significant maritime trade and container shipping. The proximity to Le Havre provides Harfleur residents with access to employment opportunities in port-related industries, logistics, manufacturing, and services. The arrondissement of Havre, which includes Harfleur, encompasses the urban area surrounding Le Havre and includes various smaller communes that form the metropolitan region. The canton of Gonfreville-l'Orcher, which includes Harfleur, represents the commune within the departmental electoral system, providing representation at the Seine-Maritime departmental council level.

### Historical Context

The commune of Harfleur, like all French communes, traces its administrative origins to the French Revolution of 1789, when the old administrative system of parishes and provinces was replaced by the revolutionary division of territory into departments, arrondissements, and communes. The Seine-Maritime department was officially created on March 4, 1790, as part of this reorganization. Harfleur's history, however, extends beyond this administrative date, as the settlement likely existed for centuries before the Revolution. The commune's name and location suggest historical ties to the region, and its proximity to Le Havre places it within an area of significant historical development related to maritime trade and coastal settlement in Normandy.

### Digital Presence

Harfleur maintains an online presence through its official website at http://www.harfleur.fr. This digital platform provides information about the commune's administration, local services, community news, and practical information for residents and visitors. The website reflects the modern approach to local government communication in France, where municipalities use digital tools to engage with their constituents. The commune's Wikipedia article (titled "Harfleur") and Wikidata entry provide additional online information, with a sitelink count of 47 indicating moderate online visibility and reference across Wikimedia projects.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](http://visualisation.archivesdepartementales76.net/accounts/mnesys_ad76/datas/medias/inventaires/FRAD076_IR_E_003E006_Harfleur.pdf)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
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. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)