# La Bâtie-Montsaléon > commune in Hautes-Alpes, France **Wikidata**: [Q630867](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q630867) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Bâtie-Montsaléon) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-b-tie-montsal-on ## Summary La Bâtie-Montsaléon is a commune located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, within the arrondissement of Gap. Situated at coordinates 44.456111111111° latitude and 5.7494444444444° longitude, this small French municipality represents one of the administrative subdivisions that make up the territorial structure of France. The commune operates under the local government system applicable to all French municipalities and is part of the broader regional administrative framework of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: La Bâtie-Montsaléon - **Alias**: La Batie-Montsaleon - **Country**: France - **Administrative Region**: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - **Department**: Hautes-Alpes (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Gap - **Commune Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789) - **Coordinates**: Latitude 44.456111111111°, Longitude 5.7494444444444° - **Population**: Historical data shows values ranging from 134 to 304 inhabitants across different census periods - **Website**: https://labatiemontsaleon.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: La Bâtie-Montsaléon - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Hautes-Alpes, France - **Sitelink Count**: 41 ## FAQs **What region and department is La Bâtie-Montsaléon located in?** La Bâtie-Montsaléon is located in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France, which is named after the Alps mountain range. The department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Gap, which is one of the administrative divisions within the department. **What type of administrative division is La Bâtie-Montsaléon?** La Bâtie-Montsaléon is classified as a commune, which is the smallest administrative division in France for municipalities. The commune as an administrative concept was established in 1789 following the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and villages. As a French commune, it operates as a territorial collectivity with its own local government. **What are the geographical coordinates of La Bâtie-Montsaléon?** La Bâtie-Montsaléon is situated at latitude 44.456111111111° and longitude 5.7494444444444°. These coordinates place the commune in the southeastern part of France, within the Alpine region characterized by mountainous terrain. **What is known about the population of La Bâtie-Montsaléon?** Historical population data for La Bâtie-Montsaléon shows variation over time, with recorded figures ranging from 134 to 304 inhabitants across different census periods. This population size is typical of small rural communes in the Alpine regions of France. **What is the official online presence of La Bâtie-Montsaléon?** La Bâtie-Montsaléon maintains an official website at https://labatiemontsaleon.fr, providing information about the commune and its local government services to residents and visitors. ## Why It Matters La Bâtie-Montsaléon matters as an example of the extensive network of French communes that form the foundational administrative structure of France. With over 34,000 communes across the country, this system represents France's commitment to decentralized local governance. The commune serves as the primary level of contact between citizens and local authorities, handling matters ranging from urban planning and local taxes to civil registration and public services. The existence of La Bâtie-Montsaléon within the Hautes-Alpes department illustrates the historical development of French administrative divisions, particularly in the Alpine regions. The department's creation in 1790 during the Revolutionary period reflects the modernization of French governance, replacing the old provincial system with rationalized administrative units. As part of the arrondissement of Gap, the commune contributes to the regional administrative organization that facilitates governance, public service delivery, and economic coordination across the mountainous southeastern region of France. For residents and visitors, La Bâtie-Montsaléon represents the continuation of communal identity and local heritage that characterizes French rural life. The commune system allows for local decision-making while maintaining integration into the broader national framework, balancing local autonomy with national cohesion. ## Notable For - **Administrative Heritage**: As part of the French commune system established in 1789, La Bâtie-Montsaléon represents over two centuries of continuous municipal administration - **Alpine Location**: Situated in the Hautes-Alpes department, one of France's mountainous departments named directly after the Alps mountain range - **Local Governance**: Operates as part of the decentralized French administrative system with its own municipal government - **Historical Continuity**: Maintains the commune structure that has been fundamental to French territorial organization since the Revolution ## Body ### Geography and Location La Bâtie-Montsaléon is positioned in the southeastern region of France, specifically within the Hautes-Alpes department. The geographical coordinates of 44.456111111111° latitude and 5.7494444444444° longitude place the commune in the heart of the French Alps. This location situates the municipality within a region characterized by mountainous terrain, alpine valleys, and the distinctive landscape that defines the Alpine frontier between France and Italy. The commune's position within the arrondissement of Gap further defines its administrative geography. Gap serves as the administrative center for this portion of the Hautes-Alpes department, providing regional services and governmental functions that extend to surrounding municipalities including La Bâtie-Montsaléon. ### Administrative Structure La Bâtie-Montsaléon operates as a commune, which represents the lowest level of administrative division in France. The French commune system traces its origins to the Revolutionary period of 1789, when the old administrative structures of the Ancien Régime were replaced with a more rationalized system of municipal organization. This system has persisted through various political regimes, maintaining its fundamental structure while evolving to meet contemporary governance needs. As a commune, La Bâtie-Montsaléon functions as a territorial collectivity with its own local government, responsible for various public services and administrative functions. These responsibilities include civil registration (births, marriages, deaths), local urban planning, maintenance of public spaces and roads, and administration of local taxes. The municipal government is headed by a mayor and assisted by a municipal council, elected by local residents. ### Departmental Context The commune is located within the Hautes-Alpes department, one of France's 101 departments. Hautes-Alpes was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution as part of the new administrative organization of France. The department's name, meaning "High Alps" in French, directly references its location within the Alpine mountain range, making it one of the few French departments named after a geographical feature. Hautes-Alpes is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur administrative region in southeastern France. The department is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with numerous peaks exceeding 3,000 meters in altitude. Its strategic location along the French-Italian border has historically made it important for both defense and trade routes through the Alps. ### Historical Background The establishment of La Bâtie-Montsaléon as a commune aligns with the broader transformation of French administrative organization that occurred during the French Revolution. The revolutionary government sought to create a uniform system of local administration based on rational principles rather than the historical provinces and feudal divisions of the Ancien Régime. The commune became the basic unit of this new system, designed to facilitate direct governance between the central state and local communities. The department of Hautes-Alpes was formed in 1790, initially as part of the larger administrative region before eventually becoming part of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. This reorganization replaced the historical province of Dauphiné, which had previously encompassed much of the Alpine region. ### Population and Demographics Historical population data for La Bâtie-Montsaléon indicates fluctuations between 134 and 304 inhabitants across various census periods. This population size is consistent with small rural communes found throughout the Alpine regions of France, where mountainous terrain and agricultural limitations typically result in smaller settlements compared to lowland areas. The population figures reflect the broader demographic patterns observed in many rural French communes, particularly those in mountainous regions. These areas often experience challenges related to population decline, aging populations, and limited economic opportunities that can affect long-term demographic sustainability. ### Local Government and Services As a functioning French commune, La Bâtie-Montsaléon maintains local government infrastructure and provides essential services to its residents. The municipal administration handles various responsibilities including: - Civil status registration (births, marriages, deaths) - Local urban planning and building permits - Maintenance of municipal roads and public spaces - Administration of local taxes and fees - Management of municipal facilities and services - Population registration and identity document issuance The commune's official website (https://labatiemontsaleon.fr) serves as a digital interface between the municipal government and residents, providing information about local services, administrative procedures, and community events. ### Regional Integration La Bâtie-Montsaléon is integrated into the broader administrative and economic framework of the Gap arrondissement and the Hautes-Alpes department. The arrondissement of Gap serves as an administrative division that groups together municipalities for coordination of state services and regional planning. Gap itself functions as the principal urban center for the area, providing services, employment opportunities, and cultural amenities that serve the surrounding rural communes. The department's membership in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region connects La Bâtie-Montsaléon to broader regional development strategies, economic initiatives, and cultural programs. This regional integration facilitates coordination on matters ranging from transportation infrastructure to environmental protection and tourism development. ### Cultural and Historical Significance While La Bâtie-Montsaléon is a relatively small commune, it represents the continuation of local community life that has characterized the Alpine regions of France for centuries. The commune system in France preserves local identity while integrating municipalities into the national framework, allowing for the maintenance of local traditions, heritage, and community bonds. The name "La Bâtie-Montsaléon" itself reflects the historical roots of the settlement, with "Montsaléon" indicating the commune's location relative to local geographical features. This naming convention is typical of French communes, particularly in Alpine regions where geographical features often determine place names. ## References 1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 2. INSEE code 3. [Source](https://archives.hautes-alpes.fr/archive/fonds/FRAD005_E-DEPOT_79/) 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)