# Justine-Herbigny > commune in Ardennes, France **Wikidata**: [Q1088591](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1088591) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justine-Herbigny) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/justine-herbigny ## Summary Justine-Herbigny is a commune located in the Ardennes department of northeastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Rethel and part of the canton of Novion-Porcien. The commune was officially established on February 15, 1965, and sits at coordinates 49.5975°N latitude and 4.325°E longitude. With a population of approximately 161 residents, Justine-Herbigny represents a small rural community in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Justine-Herbigny - **Country**: France - **Department**: Ardennes - **Arrondissement**: Rethel - **Canton**: Novion-Porcien - **Inception Date**: February 15, 1965 - **Coordinates**: 49.5975°N, 4.325°E - **Population**: Approximately 161 residents (most recent data point) - **Historical Population Figures**: 171, 179, 178, 175, 173, 199, 169, 159, 135, 114, 163, 168, 171, 169, 165, 164, 161 (various years) - **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision established in 1789) - **Image**: Municipal building (Mairie de Justine) photographed by Havang(nl) - **Image License**: CC0 / Public Domain - **Wikipedia Sitelink Count**: 42 ## FAQs **What region is Justine-Herbigny located in?** Justine-Herbigny is located in the Ardennes department in the northeastern French region of Champagne-Ardenne. It falls within the arrondissement of Rethel and the canton of Novion-Porcien. **When was Justine-Herbigny established as a commune?** Justine-Herbigny was officially established as a commune on February 15, 1965. This date marks its inception as a municipal territorial unit within the French administrative system. **What is the population of Justine-Herbigny?** The most recent population figure recorded for Justine-Herbigny is approximately 161 residents. Historical data shows population fluctuations between 114 and 199 residents over the recorded period, indicating demographic variations typical of small rural French communes. **What administrative entities is Justine-Herbigny part of?** Justine-Herbigny is part of multiple administrative divisions: the Ardennes department (one of 99 French departments), the arrondissement of Rethel (one of 34 arrondissements in France), and the canton of Novion-Porcien (one of 14 cantons in the Rethel arrondissement). **What notable buildings or landmarks exist in Justine-Herbigny?** The commune features a municipal building (mairie) located in Justine, which has been photographed and made available under public domain license. The image was captured by contributor Havang(nl) and is hosted on Wikimedia Commons. ## Why It Matters Justine-Herbigny represents the enduring structure of rural French communal life, demonstrating how small municipalities form the foundational administrative units of France's territorial organization. As one of the thousands of communes that comprise the French administrative landscape, Justine-Herbigny embodies the decentralized governance model that has characterized France since the revolutionary period of 1789. The commune's existence since 1965 places it within the modern Fifth Republic framework, reflecting the stable administrative boundaries that have allowed France to maintain consistent local governance. Its location in Ardennes places it within a department historically significant for its strategic military importance, particularly during the World Wars, though the commune itself represents the peaceful continuation of rural life in this border region. For researchers and those studying French administrative geography, Justine-Herbigny serves as a data point for understanding population dynamics in small rural communities, the relationship between communes and higher administrative divisions, and the persistence of small-scale municipal structures across decades of national political changes. ## Notable For - **Administrative Longevity**: Established in 1965, the commune has maintained its municipal status for nearly six decades - **Rural Character**: Represents the small rural commune archetype common throughout France - **Geographic Coordinates**: Precisely documented at 49.5975°N, 4.325°E for cartographic and geographic reference - **Population Stability**: Maintained a population in the 150-200 range across multiple recorded periods - **Digital Presence**: Maintains a Wikipedia entry with 42 sitelinks, indicating documented presence in international knowledge bases ## Body ### Geography and Location Justine-Herbigny is situated in the northeastern French department of Ardennes, which itself is part of the larger Champagne-Ardenne region (now part of the consolidated Grand Est region). The commune occupies coordinates of 49.5975 degrees north latitude and 4.325 degrees east longitude, placing it in a rural area characterized by rolling hills and agricultural land typical of the French Ardennes. The Ardennes department shares borders with Belgium and Luxembourg, making it a border region with historical significance. The arrondissement of Rethel, to which Justine-Herbigny belongs, represents one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating state services at the sub-departmental level. Within this arrondissement, the commune falls under the canton of Novion-Porcien, which serves as an electoral district for various departmental elections. ### Administrative History and Structure The commune of Justine-Herbigny was officially created on February 15, 1965, placing its establishment within the period of the Fifth French Republic. This administrative creation followed the broader French communal system that originated during the French Revolution of 1789, when the entire territory of France was reorganized into municipalities (communes). As a commune of France, Justine-Herbigny operates as the lowest level of administrative division in the French territorial organization. Communes function as both territorial units and political entities, each with its own municipal council, mayor, and local administration. Despite its small population, the commune maintains the same legal status and administrative powers as major cities like Paris or Lyon. The commune is part of the department of Ardennes, which comprises 99 departments in the French departmental system. This hierarchical structure—region, department, arrondissement, canton, and commune—represents the standard administrative organization of metropolitan France. ### Demographics and Population The population data for Justine-Herbigny reveals a small but relatively stable community. The recorded population figures span multiple years, showing fluctuations between minimums of 114 and maximums of 199 residents. The most recent figure stands at approximately 161 inhabitants. These population numbers are consistent with the characteristics of rural communes in eastern France, where many small municipalities experienced population decline during the latter twentieth century before stabilizing in the early twenty-first century. The commune's population places it among the smallest municipal units in the Ardennes department, reflecting the rural nature of the area and the broader trend of urbanization that has drawn residents to larger towns and cities. ### Cultural and Community Assets The commune features a municipal building (mairie) located in the village of Justine, which serves as the administrative center for the commune. This building, photographed by Havang(nl) and shared on Wikimedia Commons under a CC0 public domain license, represents the civic heart of the community. The availability of this image in the public domain facilitates its use in educational, research, and cultural contexts. The commune's documentation on Wikipedia, with a sitelink count of 42, indicates a modest but present digital presence in international knowledge repositories. This visibility contributes to the commune's accessibility for researchers, genealogists, and others seeking information about French rural municipalities. ### Administrative Relationships Justine-Herbigny exists within a network of administrative relationships that connect it to larger governmental structures: - **Departmental Level**: The Ardennes department (sitelink count: 99) provides intermediate administrative functions, including social services, road infrastructure, and departmental taxation - **Arrondissements**: The arrondissement of Rethel (sitelink count: 34) coordinates state administrative services at the sub-departmental level - **Canton System**: The canton of Novion-Porcien (sitelink count: 14) serves as an electoral district for departmental council elections - **National Level**: As a commune of France (sitelink count: 83), Justine-Herbigny connects to the national administrative system established in 1789 These relationships demonstrate how small French communes integrate into broader administrative frameworks, maintaining local autonomy while participating in departmental and national governance structures. ### Historical Context The establishment of Justine-Herbigny in 1965 occurred during a period of relative stability in French administrative geography. Following the reorganization of departments after World War II and the establishment of the Fifth Republic in 1958, the French administrative map had largely stabilized. The commune's creation during this period reflects the ongoing administrative adjustments that occur as populations shift and local boundaries are modified to reflect changing demographic realities. The Ardennes region itself carries significant historical weight, having been the site of multiple conflicts throughout European history, including both World Wars. The region's proximity to Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany has made it a strategic corridor for military movements, though the commune itself represents the civilian, agricultural character that predominates in the interwar and postwar periods. ## References 1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 2. INSEE code 3. répertoire géographique des communes 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017 6. Populations légales 2016 7. Populations légales 2017 8. Populations légales 2018 9. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602) 10. Populations légales 2019 11. Populations légales 2020 12. Populations légales 2021 13. Populations de référence 2022 14. Populations de référence 2023 15. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 16. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies 17. GeoNames 18. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z) 19. [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) 20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)