# Laval

> commune in Mayenne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q184154](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184154)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laval,_Mayenne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/laval-q184154-2

## Summary
Laval is a commune located in the Mayenne department in northwest France, serving as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Laval. With a population fluctuating around 50,000 residents, it is a significant hub for regional administration, education, and sports, hosting institutions like the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laval and the football club Stade Lavallois. The city is historically anchored by landmarks such as Laval Cathedral and Château de Laval, while also being the headquarters for the major agribusiness corporation Lactalis.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in the Mayenne department of France.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 48.072777777778, Longitude -0.77.
- **Population Data**: Historical and recent estimates include 50,479; 49,848; 52,359; 49,728; 49,573; 45,674; 51,544; 50,360; 50,473; 50,947; 51,233; 50,843; 49,733; 49,617; 49,657; 49,474; and 49,400.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Laval within the Mayenne department (inception of department: March 4, 1790).
- **Religious Seat**: Headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laval (established January 1, 1855).
- **Corporate Headquarters**: Base of operations for Lactalis, a French agribusiness company founded in 1933 with 75,000 employees.
- **Sports Venue**: Home to Stade Francis Le Basser, a football stadium with inception dates of 1971 and 1994.
- **Football Club**: Headquarters of Stade Lavallois, an association football club founded on July 17, 1902.
- **Educational Institution**: Location of ESIEA, a French graduate school of engineering established on January 1, 1958.
- **Transport Infrastructure**: Site of Laval railway station.
- **Cultural Landmarks**: Contains Laval Cathedral and Château de Laval.
- **Green Space**: Location of Jardin de la Perrine, a botanical garden.
- **Official Website**: https://www.laval.fr/accueil.
- **Canton History**: Previously divided into cantons including Laval-Sud-Ouest, Laval-Nord-Est, Laval-Est, Laval-Saint-Nicolas, Laval-Nord-Ouest, and Laval-3 (inception March 22, 2015), and Laval-1 (inception March 22, 2015).
- **Cultural Entity**: Birthplace or association with the band Birds in Row (inception 2009).
- **Wikidata Context**: Wikipedia title is "Laval, Mayenne"; sitelink count is 79.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative and geographic status of Laval?**
Laval is a commune situated in the Mayenne department in the northwest region of France. It serves as the central hub for the arrondissement of Laval and has historically been divided into several cantons, including Laval-1, Laval-3, and the former Laval-Nord-Est.

**Which major organizations and institutions are based in Laval?**
The city hosts the headquarters of Lactalis, a massive agribusiness firm founded in 1933 with 75,000 employees. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laval, established in 1855, and the home of the engineering school ESIEA, which opened in 1958.

**What are the key sports and cultural landmarks in the city?**
Laval is famous for its football club, Stade Lavallois, founded in 1902, which plays at the Stade Francis Le Basser stadium. The city's heritage is preserved through significant structures like Laval Cathedral, the Château de Laval, and the Jardin de la Perrine botanical garden.

**How has the population of Laval changed over time?**
The commune's population has varied significantly across recorded periods, with figures ranging from a low of 45,674 to a high of 52,359. Recent estimates hover around the 50,000 mark, with specific recorded counts including 50,479, 49,848, and 49,728.

**What educational and musical entities are associated with Laval?**
The city is home to ESIEA, a graduate school of engineering that began operations in 1958. Additionally, the musical group Birds in Row, a band formed in 2009, is linked to the area.

## Why It Matters
Laval matters as a critical administrative and economic node in northwest France, anchoring the Mayenne department and the arrondissement of Laval. Its significance is amplified by hosting Lactalis, one of the world's largest dairy companies, which drives substantial regional employment and global agribusiness influence. As the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese established in the mid-19th century, it holds deep religious importance, while its educational institutions like ESIEA contribute to technical innovation. The city's rich historical fabric, preserved through landmarks like the Château de Laval and Laval Cathedral, alongside its active sports culture via Stade Lavallois, makes it a multifaceted center of culture, economy, and governance in the region.

## Notable For
- **Global Agribusiness Hub**: Headquarters of Lactalis, employing 75,000 people and founded in 1933.
- **Religious Center**: Seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laval since 1855.
- **Historical Architecture**: Home to the historic Château de Laval and Laval Cathedral.
- **Sports Legacy**: Base of Stade Lavallois, a football club established in 1902.
- **Educational Excellence**: Location of ESIEA, a specialized engineering graduate school founded in 1958.
- **Administrative Core**: Central commune of the arrondissement of Laval and the Mayenne department.
- **Botanical Heritage**: Site of the Jardin de la Perrine botanical garden.
- **Music Scene**: Associated with the band Birds in Row, formed in 2009.
- **Transportation Node**: Features a major railway station serving the region.
- **Canton Reorganization**: Historically split into multiple cantons, including the modern Laval-1 and Laval-3 established in 2015.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Laval is a commune located in the Mayenne department in northwest France, with geographic coordinates at latitude 48.072777777778 and longitude -0.77. It functions as the primary administrative center for the arrondissement of Laval. The Mayenne department itself was established on March 4, 1790, and Laval serves as a key subdivision within this framework. Historically, the commune was divided into several cantons, including Laval-Sud-Ouest, Laval-Nord-Est, Laval-Est, Laval-Saint-Nicolas, and Laval-Nord-Ouest. Following administrative reforms, new cantons were created on March 22, 2015, specifically Laval-1 and Laval-3. The commune maintains an official presence online at https://www.laval.fr/accueil.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Laval has experienced fluctuations over recorded history, reflecting various demographic shifts. Data points indicate population counts of 50,479, 49,848, 52,359, 49,728, 49,573, 45,674, 51,544, 50,360, 50,473, 50,947, 51,233, 50,843, 49,733, 49,617, 49,657, 49,474, and 49,400. These figures demonstrate a dynamic community size that has generally hovered between 45,000 and 52,000 residents. The commune is recognized in the Wikidata database with a sitelink count of 79 and is identified by the Wikipedia title "Laval, Mayenne."

### Economy and Corporate Presence
Laval is a major economic driver in the region, primarily due to its role as the headquarters for Lactalis. This French agribusiness company was founded in 1933 and has grown to employ 75,000 people globally. The presence of such a large corporation underscores the city's importance in the food and beverage industry. The economic landscape is further supported by the city's infrastructure, including the Laval railway station, which facilitates the movement of goods and people.

### Education and Innovation
The city hosts significant educational institutions, most notably ESIEA. This French graduate school of engineering was established on January 1, 1958, and is dedicated to the industry sector. ESIEA contributes to the local economy by training engineers and fostering innovation. The school's headquarters are located within the commune, adding to the city's profile as a center for technical education and professional development.

### Religion and Cultural Heritage
Laval holds a prominent place in the religious landscape of France as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laval. This diocese was established on January 1, 1855, and serves as a spiritual center for the region. The city's cultural heritage is physically manifested in its architectural landmarks, including Laval Cathedral and the Château de Laval. These structures serve as historical anchors, preserving the city's past. Additionally, the Jardin de la Perrine provides a botanical garden space, contributing to the city's cultural and recreational offerings.

### Sports and Recreation
The commune has a strong sporting identity, centered around Stade Lavallois. This association football club was founded on July 17, 1902, and remains a key part of the local community. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Francis Le Basser, a stadium with inception dates recorded as 1971 and 1994, indicating periods of construction or renovation. The stadium serves as a central venue for sports events and community gatherings.

### Arts and Music
Beyond traditional institutions, Laval is associated with contemporary cultural movements. The band Birds in Row, which was formed in 2009, is linked to the city. This connection highlights the commune's role in the modern music scene, adding a layer of artistic vibrancy to its historical and industrial profile. The diverse range of entities from ancient castles to modern bands illustrates the city's evolving cultural identity.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/suceava-roumanie-2196.html)
3. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/laval-quebec-2197.html)
4. [Source](https://www.laval.ca/Pages/Fr/Affaires/ententes-economiques-et-villes-jumelees.aspx?lcidsync=1)
5. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/boston-royaume-uni-2202.html)
6. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/modesto-etats-unis-2194.html)
7. [Source](http://www.modestosistercities.com/#)
8. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/gandia-espagne-2200.html)
9. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/mettmann-allemagne-2201.html)
10. [Source](https://www.mettmann.de/web/?page_id=10742)
11. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/garango-burkina-faso-2198.html)
12. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/lovetch-bulgarie-2195.html)
13. [Source](https://www.lovech.bg/bg/pobratimeni-gradove/laval-frantsiya)
14. [Source](http://www.laval.fr/la-ville/jumelages/unite-regionale-de-chalcidique-grece-2199.html)
15. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/M---0090)
16. BnF authorities
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
19. INSEE code
20. répertoire géographique des communes
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. Annuaire de service-public.fr
23. MusicBrainz
24. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
25. Populations légales 2016
26. Populations légales 2017
27. Populations légales 2018
28. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
29. Populations légales 2019
30. Populations légales 2020
31. Populations légales 2021
32. Populations de référence 2022
33. Populations de référence 2023
34. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
35. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
36. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
37. GeoNames
38. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
39. [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)
40. YouTube API
41. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)