# La Rochette

> commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1017929](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1017929)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rochette,_Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-rochette-q1017929-2

## Summary

La Rochette is a commune located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Situated in the arrondissement of Castellane, this small French municipality sits at coordinates 43.915°N latitude and 6.8905555555556°E longitude. The commune operates under the administrative structure of France and is part of the historical canton of Entrevaux, which existed until March 2015.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: La Rochette
- **Alias**: La Roqueta
- **Department**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (PACA region)
- **Arrondissement**: Castellane
- **Historical Canton**: Entrevaux (until March 2015)
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative Type**: Commune of France (municipal subdivision)
- **Coordinates**: 43.915°N, 6.8905555555556°E
- **Website**: https://www.larochette04.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: La Rochette, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 44
- **Population**: 64.0, 66.0, 68.0, 70.0, 72.0, 74.0, 66.0, 41.0, 48.0, 53.0, 54.0, 61.0, 75.0, 74.0, 72.0, 72.0, 74.0 (various census years)
- **Department Inception**: March 4, 1790
- **Commune System Inception**: 1789

## FAQs

**What region is La Rochette located in?**

La Rochette is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (PACA) region in southeastern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Castellane.

**What type of administrative area is La Rochette?**

La Rochette is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system has been in place since 1789, providing local governance for towns and cities throughout the country.

**What are the geographic coordinates of La Rochette?**

La Rochette is situated at latitude 43.915°N and longitude 6.8905555555556°E, placing it in the mountainous southeastern region of France near the Alps.

**What is the relationship between La Rochette and Entrevaux?**

La Rochette was part of the canton of Entrevaux until March 2015. Cantons in France serve as electoral districts for elections to the departmental councils and are used for various administrative purposes.

**How can I find more information about La Rochette?**

The commune maintains an official website at https://www.larochette04.fr where residents and visitors can access local information, services, and community details.

## Why It Matters

La Rochette represents the small but essential fabric of rural French municipal life. As one of the thousands of communes that comprise the French administrative structure, it embodies the decentralized governance model that characterizes France's territorial organization. These small municipalities serve as the closest level of government to citizens, handling local affairs, maintaining public spaces, and preserving community identity.

The commune's location in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence places it within one of France's most scenic and geographically diverse departments. This region is known for its mountainous terrain, hiking trails, and traditional Provençal culture, making La Rochette part of an area that attracts both domestic and international visitors interested in natural beauty and rural French heritage.

The existence of La Rochette as a distinct administrative entity also reflects France's commitment to maintaining local governance structures even in sparsely populated areas. This stands in contrast to consolidation trends seen in some other nations, preserving the historical commune system that dates back to the French Revolution.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic and scenic Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department
- Located in the mountainous Castellane arrondissement
- Official municipal website presence (https://www.larochette04.fr)
- Alias "La Roquette" reflecting Occitan language influence in the region

## Body

### Geography and Location

La Rochette is situated in the southeastern portion of France, within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The commune's coordinates of 43.915°N latitude and 6.8905555555556°E longitude place it in a mountainous area characteristic of the French Alps foothills. This positioning situates the commune in a region known for its dramatic landscapes, outdoor recreational opportunities, and traditional alpine and Provençal cultural elements.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, La Rochette operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in France. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, creating municipalities throughout the country that serve as the fundamental units of local government. La Rochette falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Castellane, which administers several municipalities in the mountainous portion of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Prior to March 2015, La Rochette was part of the canton of Entrevaux. French cantons serve as electoral districts for departmental council elections and often encompass multiple communes. The restructuring of cantonal boundaries in 2015 resulted in changes to the administrative organization of many French municipalities.

### Regional Context

La Rochette is located within Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a department that was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution. The department is characterized by its diverse topography, ranging from alpine mountains to Mediterranean-influenced valleys. The region is part of the larger Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur administrative region, one of France's 18 metropolitan and overseas regions.

The department's capital is Digne-les-Bains, and the region is known for its protected natural areas, including parts of the Mercantour National Park. The area surrounding La Rochette has historically been associated with pastoral activities and agriculture suited to the mountainous terrain.

### Local Identity

The commune is known by both its official name "La Rochette" and the Occitan-derived alias "La Roqueta." This linguistic variation reflects the historical presence of the Occitan language and its dialects in southeastern France. Many place names in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence retain elements from Occitan, reflecting the region's distinct cultural heritage separate from standard French.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for La Rochette are limited in the source material, the data indicates population fluctuations across various census years, with recorded values including 64.0, 66.0, 68.0, 70.0, 72.0, 74.0, 66.0, 41.0, 48.0, 53.0, 54.0, 61.0, 75.0, 74.0, 72.0, 72.0, and 74.0. These figures suggest a relatively small population typical of rural communes in the mountainous regions of southeastern France. The variations reflect broader demographic trends affecting rural areas throughout France, including migration to urban centers and the challenges of maintaining population in less accessible locations.

### Digital Presence

La Rochette maintains an official municipal website at https://www.larochette04.fr, providing information about local services, community events, and administrative matters. The ".04" in the domain reflects the telephone area code for Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a common practice for French municipal websites. This digital presence enables the commune to communicate with residents and provide access to services, reflecting the modernization of local government functions even in smaller municipalities.

### Historical Context

The commune's existence as part of the French administrative system places it within a governance structure that has evolved significantly since the Revolution of 1789. The commune system was established to replace the previous feudal administrative divisions with a more uniform and rationalized structure based on principles of equality and local representation. Over more than two centuries, this system has provided continuity of local governance while adapting to changing social, economic, and political circumstances.

### Relationship to Larger Entities

La Rochette exists within a hierarchical administrative structure: France (the nation-state) → Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (the region) → Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (the department) → arrondissement of Castellane (the administrative arrondissement) → La Rochette (the commune). This multi-layered system allows for both local autonomy and coordination across larger geographic and administrative units, enabling the commune to benefit from departmental and regional resources while maintaining local governance.

The department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, which encompasses 1,445 square kilometers of varied terrain, provides services and administrative coordination for its 198 communes. This structure ensures that even small municipalities like La Rochette have access to departmental resources for infrastructure, education, social services, and economic development.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. répertoire géographique des communes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Annuaire de service-public.fr
6. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)