# Les Thuiles > commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France **Wikidata**: [Q1016870](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1016870) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Thuiles) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/les-thuiles ## Summary Les Thuiles is a commune located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Situated at coordinates 44.393055555556°N latitude and 6.5711111111111°E longitude, the commune belongs to the arrondissement of Barcelonnette and serves as a territorial subdivision within the French municipal system. The area is also known by its Occitan alias, Teulas. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Les Thuiles - **Alias**: Teulas (Occitan name) - **Country**: France - **Administrative Region**: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur - **Department**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Barcelonnette - **Classification**: Commune of France (French territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789) - **Coordinates**: 44.393055555556°N, 6.5711111111111°E - **Wikipedia Title**: Les Thuiles - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France - **Sitelink Count**: 43 - **Population History**: 380, 398, 409, 397, 388, 165, 184, 230, 274, 344, 384, 376, 379, 370, 369, 365, 361 (various census years) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Les Thuiles?** Les Thuiles is classified as a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. This administrative status has been in place since 1789 as part of France's decentralized municipal system. **Which department and arrondissement does Les Thuiles belong to?** Les Thuiles is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Barcelonnette. **What is the geographic location of Les Thuiles?** Les Thuiles is situated at coordinates 44.393055555556°N latitude and 6.5711111111111°E longitude, placing it in the southeastern region of France within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. **What is the alternative name for Les Thuiles?** Les Thuiles is also known by its Occitan name, Teulas, reflecting the historical linguistic presence of the Occitan language in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. **What is the population of Les Thuiles?** Historical population figures recorded for Les Thuiles include: 380, 398, 409, 397, 388, 165, 184, 230, 274, 344, 384, 376, 379, 370, 369, 365, and 361 residents across various census years. ## Why It Matters Les Thuiles represents a small but integral part of the French municipal structure in the Alpine region of southeastern France. As a commune in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, it contributes to the administrative organization of rural France and maintains the historical territorial divisions established during the French Revolution. The commune's presence within the arrondissement of Barcelonnette connects it to a network of similar small municipalities that collectively form the administrative fabric of this mountainous area. The preservation of its Occitan name "Teulas" reflects the cultural heritage and linguistic diversity that exists within French rural communities, particularly in regions where traditional languages and dialects have historical roots. Understanding Les Thuiles provides insight into how France manages its extensive network of over 35,000 communes, each serving as a fundamental unit of local governance, taxation, and public service delivery. ## Notable For - **Historical Administrative Status**: One of the oldest municipal divisions in France, established in 1789 as part of the revolutionary reorganization of French territory - **Alpine Location**: Situated in the mountainous Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, part of the French Alps region - **Occitan Heritage**: Retains its Occitan name "Teulas," reflecting the historical linguistic presence in southeastern France - **Arrondissement Connection**: Part of the arrondissement of Barcelonnette, connecting it to a specific administrative and historical district ## Body ### Geography and Location Les Thuiles is positioned in the southeastern region of France, specifically within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The commune's geographic coordinates place it at 44.393055555556°N latitude and 6.5711111111111°E longitude, situating it in the mountainous terrain characteristic of the French Alps. This location places the commune within the arrondissement of Barcelonnette, an administrative division that encompasses several municipalities in this Alpine region. The terrain of the area is typical of Alpine communes, featuring mountainous topography that has historically shaped local economy, transportation, and community life. ### Administrative Structure Les Thuiles operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system traces its origins to the revolutionary period of 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the previous feudal divisions and established communes as the basic units of administrative organization. The commune of Les Thuiles falls under the jurisdiction of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French territory into departments. This department is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. At the sub-departmental level, Les Thuiles belongs to the arrondissement of Barcelonnette, which serves as an administrative division coordinating local government functions across multiple communes in the mountainous portion of the department. ### Historical Context The establishment of Les Thuiles as a commune corresponds with the broader historical movement of French administrative centralization that began with the French Revolution. The revolutionary government sought to replace the complex feudal system of provinces, duchies, and parishes with a uniform administrative structure based on rational, geometric principles. The creation of departments in 1790 marked the first step in this reorganization, with communes being established shortly thereafter. The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department was formed from the former province of Provence, with its administrative boundaries reflecting both geographic features and historical precedent. The commune system has remained largely stable since its inception, though the number and boundaries of communes have been adjusted through mergers and territorial modifications over the past two centuries. ### Cultural and Linguistic Heritage The commune is known by its Occitan name "Teulas," reflecting the historical presence of the Occitan language in this region of southeastern France. Occitan is a Romance language spoken in southern France, particularly in regions south of the Loire River, and has historical roots in the territories that now comprise the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The preservation of this alternative name demonstrates the cultural continuity and linguistic heritage that persists in rural French communities, particularly in areas where traditional dialects and local identities have maintained their significance alongside the standardized French language. This linguistic heritage connects Les Thuiles to a broader cultural landscape that includes the historical province of Provence and the broader Occitan-speaking region of southern France. ### Population and Demographics Historical population data for Les Thuiles shows variation across different census years, with recorded figures including 380, 398, 409, 397, 388, 165, 184, 230, 274, 344, 384, 376, 379, 370, 369, 365, and 361 residents. These figures reflect the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes, particularly in mountainous regions where economic opportunities may be limited and population mobility may be higher. The population trends for Les Thuiles are consistent with broader patterns observed in rural France, where many small communes have experienced population decline followed by relative stabilization or modest growth as remote work and quality-of-life considerations attract new residents to rural and semi-rural areas. ### Administrative Connections Les Thuiles maintains administrative connections to several higher-level territorial entities that structure French governance. At the national level, the commune is part of France, a country with a population of approximately 68,605,616 as of 2025 and a territory encompassing 643,801 square kilometers. France operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic with a constitution established on October 4, 1958, founding the Fifth Republic. At the regional level, Les Thuiles belongs to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, one of eighteen administrative regions in metropolitan France. At the departmental level, the commune is part of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a department created in 1790 and currently comprising multiple arrondissements including Barcelonnette. These administrative connections create a hierarchical structure of governance that coordinates local, departmental, regional, and national functions. ### Arrondissement of Barcelonnette The arrondissement of Barcelonnette serves as an important administrative framework for Les Thuiles. This sub-departmental division coordinates various governmental functions and services across the municipalities within its jurisdiction. The arrondissement system in France serves as an intermediate level of administration between the commune and the department, providing coordination for services such as prefectural functions, educational administration, and infrastructure planning. The arrondissement of Barcelonnette encompasses a geographic area within the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department that is characterized by its Alpine terrain and historical communities. This administrative connection provides Les Thuiles with a framework for inter-municipal cooperation and access to departmental services. ### Digital Presence and Information Access Les Thuiles has a digital presence reflected in its sitelink count of 43, indicating the number of Wikipedia language editions that contain articles about the commune. The Wikipedia article titled "Les Thuiles" provides information about the commune in French and potentially other languages, contributing to global accessibility of information about this French municipality. The Wikidata entry for Les Thuiles includes structured data such as coordinates, administrative classifications, and population figures, facilitating automated access to information about the commune through data repositories and knowledge graphs. This digital presence enables researchers, journalists, and members of the public to access verified information about Les Thuiles across multiple platforms and languages. ## References 1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018 2. INSEE code 3. [Source](https://archives04.fr/fichier/110779/2638) 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)