# La Bâtie-des-Fonds

> commune in Drôme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q384494](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q384494)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Bâtie-des-Fonds)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-b-tie-des-fonds

## Summary
La Bâtie-des-Fonds is a commune located in the Drôme department of France, within the canton of Luc-en-Diois and the arrondissement of Die. It is a small rural municipality in the southeastern part of the country, characterized by its low population and administrative ties to regional French governance structures.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Drôme department, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.
- **Administrative Division**: A commune, the smallest territorial subdivision in France, established in 1789.
- **Canton**: Belongs to the canton of Luc-en-Diois, one of the administrative divisions within Drôme.
- **Arrondissement**: Part of the arrondissement of Die, a larger administrative district overseeing multiple cantons.
- **Population**: Historically small, with recorded figures including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17 inhabitants across various years.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 44.514444444444, longitude 5.6386111111111.
- **Aliases**: Also known as "La Batie-des-Fonds."
- **Wikidata Description**: Classified as a "commune in Drôme, France."
- **Sitelink Count**: 42 references across Wikimedia projects.
- **Inception of Drôme Department**: Established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.
- **Inception of French Communes**: Created in 1789 as part of France's municipal reorganization.

## FAQs
**Where is La Bâtie-des-Fonds located?**
La Bâtie-des-Fonds is located in the Drôme department of southeastern France, within the canton of Luc-en-Diois and the arrondissement of Die. It lies at coordinates 44.514444444444° N, 5.6386111111111° E.

**What type of administrative unit is La Bâtie-des-Fonds?**
It is a commune, the smallest and most basic territorial subdivision in France, established during the French Revolution in 1789. Communes function as municipalities with local governance.

**How populous is La Bâtie-des-Fonds?**
The commune has a very small population, with historical records showing figures as low as 2 inhabitants and as high as 17. It is representative of France's rural, low-density municipalities.

**What larger administrative regions does La Bâtie-des-Fonds belong to?**
It is part of the canton of Luc-en-Diois and the arrondissement of Die, both within the Drôme department. Drôme itself is one of the original 83 departments created in 1790.

**What is the significance of the Drôme department?**
The Drôme department was established on March 4, 1790, as part of France's post-revolutionary administrative reorganization. It is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Diois area where La Bâtie-des-Fonds is situated.

## Why It Matters
La Bâtie-des-Fonds exemplifies the administrative and cultural fabric of rural France. As a commune, it represents the foundational unit of local governance in the country, where municipal decisions directly impact residents' daily lives. Its existence highlights the decentralized structure of the French Republic, where even the smallest villages have formal political representation.

The commune's location in the Drôme department also underscores the historical and geographical diversity of France. Drôme, created during the French Revolution, is part of a region known for its agricultural heritage, natural landscapes, and contributions to France's broader identity. La Bâtie-des-Fonds, though small, is a microcosm of the preservation of rural life and tradition in modern France.

Furthermore, its inclusion in the canton of Luc-en-Diois and the arrondissement of Die illustrates the layered administrative hierarchy that ensures governance efficiency. This structure allows for regional coordination while maintaining local autonomy, a balance central to France's political system.

## Notable For
- **Small Population**: One of France's least populous communes, with historical records showing single-digit inhabitants.
- **Rural Character**: Represents the traditional, sparsely populated municipalities that dot the French countryside.
- **Administrative History**: Part of the Drôme department, one of the original 83 departments established in 1790.
- **Geographical Coordinates**: Precisely located at 44.514444444444° N, 5.6386111111111° E, reflecting its position in the Diois region.
- **Canton and Arrondissement Affiliation**: Belongs to the canton of Luc-en-Diois and the arrondissement of Die, key administrative divisions in Drôme.

## Body

### Geography and Location
La Bâtie-des-Fonds is situated in the Drôme department of southeastern France, within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The commune lies at coordinates 44.514444444444° N, 5.6386111111111° E, placing it in the Diois area, known for its rolling hills and rural landscapes. The region is characterized by its proximity to the Alps and the Rhône River valley, contributing to its agricultural and natural diversity.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune, La Bâtie-des-Fonds is the smallest administrative division in France, established during the French Revolution in 1789. It is governed by a municipal council and a mayor, elected by local residents. The commune is part of the canton of Luc-en-Diois, which groups several neighboring municipalities for electoral and administrative purposes. Additionally, it falls under the arrondissement of Die, a larger district that oversees multiple cantons within Drôme.

The Drôme department itself was created on March 4, 1790, as one of the original 83 departments formed to replace the pre-revolutionary provinces. This reorganization aimed to centralize governance and standardize administrative boundaries across France. Today, Drôme is known for its mix of urban centers and rural communes, with La Bâtie-des-Fonds representing the latter.

### Demographics
La Bâtie-des-Fonds is notable for its extremely small population. Historical data indicates fluctuations between 2 and 17 inhabitants, reflecting the challenges and dynamics of rural depopulation in France. Such low population figures are characteristic of many communes in remote or mountainous areas, where economic opportunities are limited, and younger generations often migrate to urban centers.

### Historical Context
The establishment of communes in 1789 marked a significant shift in French governance, replacing the feudal system with a decentralized municipal structure. La Bâtie-des-Fonds, like all communes, was designed to give local populations a voice in their governance, a principle that remains central to the French Republic. The Drôme department, where the commune is located, has a rich history tied to the French Revolution and the subsequent administrative reforms that shaped modern France.

### Related Administrative Entities
- **Canton of Luc-en-Diois**: An electoral and administrative division within Drôme, encompassing multiple communes, including La Bâtie-des-Fonds. Cantons serve as intermediaries between communes and arrondissements.
- **Arrondissement of Die**: A larger administrative district that includes several cantons. Arrondissements are responsible for overseeing the implementation of national policies at the local level.
- **Drôme Department**: One of France's original 83 departments, created in 1790. It is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region and is known for its diverse geography and historical significance.

### Cultural and Regional Significance
La Bâtie-des-Fonds, while small, contributes to the cultural and historical tapestry of the Diois region. The area is known for its traditional agriculture, including vineyards and lavender fields, as well as its natural beauty. The preservation of such rural communes is essential to maintaining France's cultural heritage and the balance between urban development and rural traditions.

### Governance and Infrastructure
As a commune, La Bâtie-des-Fonds has its own municipal council and mayor, responsible for local governance, infrastructure, and public services. Despite its small size, the commune is integrated into the broader administrative framework of France, ensuring access to national resources and support. This structure allows even the smallest municipalities to participate in the democratic process and benefit from centralized governance.

### Comparison with Other Communes
La Bâtie-des-Fonds is representative of France's many small, rural communes, which contrast sharply with larger urban municipalities. While cities like Paris or Lyon have populations in the millions, communes like La Bâtie-des-Fonds highlight the diversity of French local governance and the importance of preserving rural communities. This balance is a defining feature of France's administrative and cultural landscape.

## 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. Populations légales 2016
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
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)