# La Serpent > commune in Aude, France **Wikidata**: [Q763578](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q763578) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Serpent) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-serpent ## Summary La Serpent is a commune in the Aude department of southern France, located in the historical region of Occitanie. It is situated in the arrondissement of Limoux and was part of the canton of Couiza until administrative reorganizations in March 2015. The commune sits at coordinates 42.967222222222°N latitude and 2.1825°E longitude. ## Key Facts - **Entity Type**: Commune in Aude, France - **Administrative Status**: Formerly part of canton of Couiza (until March 2015) - **Department**: Aude (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Limoux - **Country**: France - **Region**: Occitanie (South West France) - **Coordinates**: Latitude 42.967222222222, Longitude 2.1825 - **Population History**: 83, 87, 92, 92, 93, 106, 95, 91, 85, 77, 72, 78, 95, 95, 95, 95, 92 (17 data points spanning historical periods) - **Wikipedia Title**: La Serpent - **Sitelink Count**: 42 - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aude, France - **Commune of France Inception**: 1789 (French territorial subdivision for municipalities) ## FAQs **What region is La Serpent located in?** La Serpent is located in the Aude department of southern France, which is part of the Occitanie region in South West France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Limoux. **What administrative changes affected La Serpent?** La Serpent was part of the canton of Couiza until March 2015, when French administrative boundaries were reorganized. The commune system in France traces its origins to 1789. **What are the geographical coordinates of La Serpent?** La Serpent is situated at latitude 42.967222222222 degrees north and longitude 2.1825 degrees east. **What is the population of La Serpent?** The commune has recorded population figures of 83, 87, 92, 92, 93, 106, 95, 91, 85, 77, 72, 78, 95, 95, 95, 95, and 92 across various census periods, indicating a small rural community with population fluctuations over time. **What is the relationship between La Serpent and the French administrative system?** La Serpent is a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune system was established in 1789. La Serpent belongs to the department of Aude, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. ## Why It Matters La Serpent represents the small rural commune structure that forms the backbone of French territorial organization. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, it embodies the decentralized administrative model that characterizes the French Republic. These small municipalities provide essential local governance, maintain civil records, and manage local services for rural populations. The commune's location in the Aude department places it in a region known for its Mediterranean climate, viticulture, and historical significance. The area features ancient Cathar castles, vineyards, and the distinctive landscape of the Corbières mountains. The historical population data indicates a small but relatively stable community, typical of rural French communes facing demographic challenges in the modern era. The administrative reorganization that removed La Serpent from the canton of Couiza in March 2015 reflects broader French governmental reforms aimed at streamlining local administration while maintaining local representation. Such changes affect how residents interact with governmental services and participate in local politics. ## Notable For - **Historical Administrative Status**: Part of the canton of Couiza until the 2015 French administrative reorganization - **Rural French Communal Structure**: Represents the traditional French commune system established in 1789 - **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Aude, a department created during the French Revolution in 1790 - **Occitanie Region**: Situated in one of France's newest and largest regions formed in 2016 ## Body ### Geography and Location La Serpent is a commune situated in the Aude department of southern France, within the Occitanie region. The commune is located at coordinates 42.967222222222°N latitude and 2.1825°E longitude, placing it in the southern part of France near the Mediterranean coast. The area is characterized by rolling hills, vineyards, and proximity to the Corbières mountain range. ### Administrative History The commune operates within the French departmental system established during the French Revolution. The Aude department was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial division of France into departments. La Serpent falls under the arrondissement of Limoux, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the department and the commune. Prior to March 2015, La Serpent was part of the canton of Couiza. The canton system in France serves as a constituency for the election of members to the General Council (Conseil Départemental). The 2015 administrative reforms led to the reorganization of many cantons across France, resulting in the dissolution of the canton of Couiza and the reassignment of its communes to other administrative units. ### Population and Demographics The population data for La Serpent shows 17 recorded figures: 83, 87, 92, 92, 93, 106, 95, 91, 85, 77, 72, 78, 95, 95, 95, 95, and 92. These figures represent census counts across different time periods, demonstrating the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes. The population has generally remained under 100 residents, classifying La Serpent as a small rural community. The commune of France system, which began in 1789, provides the framework for local governance in La Serpent. Communes in France function as the smallest territorial collectives with legal personality and are governed by a municipal council headed by a mayor. ### Regional Context La Serpent is located in the historical and cultural region of Languedoc, now part of Occitanie. This region is renowned for its wine production, particularly the Corbières and Minervois AOC wines. The area features significant historical heritage related to the Cathar faith and the Albigensian Crusades, with numerous medieval castles and fortified villages in the surrounding landscape. The department of Aude borders the Mediterranean Sea and includes diverse terrain ranging from coastal plains to mountainous interior regions. The prefecture (capital) is Carcassonne, famous for its medieval fortified city, while the subprefecture of Limoux hosts the arrondissements administrative center in which La Serpent is located. ### Administrative Structure As a French commune, La Serpent is governed by municipal authorities responsible for local services including urban planning, civil status records, local taxation, and community facilities. The commune exists within a hierarchical administrative structure: commune → arrondissement of Limoux → department of Aude → region of Occitanie → French Republic. The French commune system is distinctively decentralized, with over 34,970 communes across metropolitan France and overseas territories. This high number of communes reflects France's commitment to local governance and community identity, even in small settlements like La Serpent. ### Connections to Broader French Institutions La Serpent exists within the broader context of French governmental organization. The department of Aude (inception: 1790) was formed during the Revolutionary period when France was divided into 83 departments as part of the rationalization of local administration. The commune system, also established in 1789, created the fundamental units of local representation throughout the nation. The arrondissement of Limoux provides intermediate administrative functions between the departmental and communal levels, coordinating regional services and representing state authority in the territory. ## 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. 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c) 23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)