# Hunawihr > commune in Haut-Rhin, France **Wikidata**: [Q83766](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83766) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunawihr) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hunawihr ## Summary Hunawihr is a commune located in the Haut-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. Known for its picturesque setting in the vineyards of Alsace, Hunawihr is recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" and sits at coordinates 48.18°N latitude and 7.31°E longitude. The commune, which has a population of approximately 555 residents, is part of the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé and maintains a website at http://www.hunawihr.fr/. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Commune in Haut-Rhin, Alsace region, France - **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.180277777778°N, Longitude 7.3113888888889°E - **Administrative status**: Part of the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé (since January 1, 2015) - **Historical administrative unit**: Previously part of the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé - **Canton**: Formerly part of canton of Ribeauvillé until March 2015 - **Department**: Haut-Rhin (French administrative district, established March 4, 1790) - **Historical region**: Part of Upper Alsace (southern district of Alsace-Lorraine in German Empire, 1871-1918) - **Country**: France - **Population**: Approximately 555 residents (most recent figure provided) - **Historical population figures**: 587, 593, 598, 611, 602, 603, 606, 587, 568, 549, 555 - **Website**: http://www.hunawihr.fr/ - **Wikipedia title**: Hunawihr - **Wikidata description**: commune in Haut-Rhin, France - **Sitelink count**: 52 - **Membership**: Member of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association (since March 6, 1982) - **Classification**: Commune of France (France territorial subdivision for municipalities, established 1789) ## FAQs **What type of municipality is Hunawihr?** Hunawihr is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. As a French commune, it operates as a local administrative unit with its own mayor and municipal council, serving approximately 555 residents in the Alsace region. **Where is Hunawihr located geographically?** Hunawihr is situated in northeastern France in the Haut-Rhin department within the Alsace region. The commune lies at coordinates 48.18°N latitude and 7.31°E longitude, placing it in the picturesque vineyard region of Alsace known for its wine production and half-timbered houses. **What administrative changes has Hunawihr experienced?** Hunawihr was historically part of the canton of Ribeauvillé until March 2015. It transitioned from the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé to become part of the newly formed arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé on January 1, 2015. The Haut-Rhin department itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. **What is Hunawihr's connection to Upper Alsace?** Hunawihr is located in what was historically known as Upper Alsace (Oberelsass), the southern district of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. This historical region was part of Germany following the Franco-Prussian War until after World War I, when it returned to French administration. **What recognition has Hunawihr received?** Hunawihr is a member of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), an independent association founded in 1982 that recognizes outstanding French villages with preserved heritage. Hunawihr has been a member since March 6, 1982, signifying its architectural and cultural significance. **What is the population of Hunawihr?** Hunawihr has a population of approximately 555 residents according to the most recent data provided. Historical population figures show variations: 587, 593, 598, 611, 602, 603, 606, 587, 568, 549, and 555, indicating a relatively stable small commune in the Alsatian wine region. ## Why It Matters Hunawihr matters as a representative example of Alsatian rural heritage and viticulture. As a member of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" since 1982, it represents the preservation of traditional Alsatian architecture and culture in a region with a complex history between France and Germany. The commune's location in the Haut-Rhin department places it at the heart of one of France's most renowned wine-producing regions, where the Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and other grape varieties thrive on the eastern slopes of the Vosges mountains. The significance of Hunawihr extends beyond its size as a small commune of approximately 555 residents. It embodies the enduring character of Alsatian villages that have maintained their historical character despite the region's shifting national boundaries between France and Germany over centuries. The commune's inclusion in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association serves as recognition of its cultural value and helps promote sustainable tourism that preserves local heritage. From an administrative perspective, Hunawihr's reorganization between arrondissements in 2015 reflects the ongoing rationalization of French local government structures. Its position within the canton system and departmental organization demonstrates how small communes function within the broader French administrative framework, maintaining local identity while participating in regional governance structures. ## Notable For - **Membership in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France"**: Recognized since March 6, 1982, for its preserved architectural heritage and cultural significance - **Alsatian wine region location**: Situated in one of France's premier viticulture areas, known for white wine production - **Historical administrative evolution**: Experienced transition from the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé to the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé in 2015 - **Cross-border heritage location**: Positioned in Upper Alsace, a region with documented historical ties to German administration from 1871-1918 - **Small commune character**: Represents the category of French communes that form the backbone of local administration with populations under 1,000 residents ## Body ### Geography and Location Hunawihr is positioned at latitude 48.180277777778°N and longitude 7.3113888888889°E, placing it in the northeastern portion of France within the Alsace region. The commune sits in the Haut-Rhin department, which corresponds to the southern portion of the historical Alsace province. This地理位置 places Hunawihr in the heart of the Alsatian wine route, surrounded by vineyards that benefit from the microclimate created by the Vosges mountains to the west and the Rhine valley to the east. The commune's terrain reflects the characteristic landscape of the Alsatian foothills, where gradual slopes provide ideal conditions for grape cultivation. The area is known for its half-timbered houses, church steeples, and winding streets that exemplify traditional Alsatian village architecture. ### Administrative History Hunawihr's administrative status has evolved significantly over time. The commune is part of the modern French departmental system, specifically within Haut-Rhin, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. This department is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity created in 2021 that replaced the former Alsace region and combined the departments of Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin. Historically, the territory of Upper Alsace, where Hunawihr is located, was incorporated into the German Empire following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871. From May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918, the area formed the southern district (Bezirk) of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). This period of German administration left lasting cultural and architectural influences on the region. In terms of current administrative organization, Hunawihr became part of the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé on January 1, 2015, following French administrative reforms. Previously, the commune was part of the arrondissement of Ribeauvillé. The commune was also part of the canton of Ribeauvillé until March 2015, when cantonal boundaries were redrawn. ### Demographics and Population Hunawihr maintains a population of approximately 555 residents, representing the small rural commune character typical of the Alsatian wine region. The population figures provided (587, 593, 598, 611, 602, 603, 606, 587, 568, 549, 555) show fluctuations over time, reflecting broader demographic trends in rural France, including urbanization pressures and the attraction of larger urban centers. As a commune of France, Hunawihr operates under the municipal system established in 1789 during the French Revolution. This system organizes France into approximately 34,970 communes of varying sizes, with Hunawihr representing the smaller end of this spectrum. The commune is administered by a mayor and municipal council, providing local governance tailored to the needs of its residents. ### Cultural Recognition and Tourism The commune's membership in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association, established March 6, 1982, represents its primary claim to cultural significance beyond the local area. This independent association was founded to promote and preserve the heritage of France's most picturesque villages. Membership requires meeting strict criteria related to architectural preservation, environmental quality, and local heritage conservation. Hunawihr's inclusion in this association recognizes its traditional Alsatian architecture, including characteristic half-timbered houses (collegial houses), flower-decorated windows, and the Romanesque or Gothic churches typical of the region. The commune benefits from tourism generated by this recognition, with visitors exploring the wine route and experiencing the cultural heritage of Alsace. ### Regional Context Hunawihr exists within a rich regional context defined by viticulture, historical complexity, and cultural hybridity. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Colmar-Ribeauvillé, which itself is a creation of the 2015 administrative reorganization. This arrondissement serves as an administrative unit for state services and territorial coordination in the southern portion of the Haut-Rhin department. The department of Haut-Rhin, meaning "Upper Rhine" in French, takes its name from the river that forms part of the border with Germany and Switzerland. The department is characterized by its industrial heritage, agricultural productivity (particularly in wine and vegetables), and significant cross-border connections with neighboring Germany and Switzerland. ### Local Infrastructure and Access Hunawihr maintains local infrastructure appropriate to its population size, including a municipal website at http://www.hunawihr.fr/ that provides information to residents and visitors. The commune is connected to the broader French road network, with the D11 and other departmental roads providing access to neighboring villages and the wine route. The commune participates in the French public services system, with access to education, healthcare, and administrative services through the departmental and regional structures. As part of the Alsace region, residents benefit from the specific cultural and linguistic protections afforded to the region, including the recognition of Alsatian dialect and bilingual signage in certain areas. ### Historical Significance While Hunawihr itself does not appear in major historical chronicles, the region it occupies has witnessed significant historical events. The territory of Alsace, including Upper Alsace where Hunawihr is located, has changed national affiliation multiple times throughout history—from the Holy Roman Empire to France (1648), to Germany (1871), back to France (1919), and under German occupation during World War II (1940-1945) before returning to permanent French administration. This complex history has shaped the cultural identity of the region, creating a distinctive blend of French and German influences in architecture, cuisine, language, and wine-making traditions. Hunawihr represents this hybrid heritage, maintaining its French administrative status while preserving architectural and cultural elements that reflect its Germanic past. ## References 1. CD Atlas of France 2. BnF authorities 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 5. INSEE code 6. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q780881) 7. répertoire géographique des communes 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. Annuaire de service-public.fr 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 2019 15. Populations légales 2020 16. Populations légales 2021 17. Populations de référence 2022 18. Populations de référence 2023 19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 21. GeoNames 22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 23. [Source](https://it-ch.topographic-map.com/map-sb4z18/Hunawihr/?zoom=19¢er=48.17945%2C7.30923&popup=48.17956%2C7.30926) 24. [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) 25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)