# Lons-le-Saunier

> commune in Jura, France

**Wikidata**: [Q203529](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203529)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lons-le-Saunier)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lons-le-saunier

## Summary
Lons-le-Saunier is a commune located in the Jura department of France, serving as the seat of the arrondissement of Lons-le-Saunier. Historically known by the alias Franciade, the town is situated within the administrative framework of the French Republic and is associated with the Independent Ecological Movement political party.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Commune in Jura, France.
- **Coordinates**: 46.674444444444, 5.5538888888889.
- **Alias**: Franciade.
- **Website**: http://www.lonslesaunier.fr.
- **Administrative Divisions**: Seat of the arrondissement of Lons-le-Saunier; part of the canton of Lons-le-Saunier-2 (since March 22, 2015); formerly part of the cantons of Lons-le-Saunier-Nord and Lons-le-Saunier-Sud (until March 2015).
- **Department**: Jura (inception: March 4, 1790).
- **Political Headquarters**: Independent Ecological Movement (inception: January 1, 1994).
- **Transportation**: Lons-le-Saunier railway station.
- **Historical Population Figures**: 16,618; 16,942; 17,043; 17,092; 17,063; 17,189; 17,496; 17,879; 18,483; 19,144; 20,105; 20,942; 18,769; 17,320; 17,291; 18,149; 17,459.
- **National Context**: France (Population: 68,605,616; Capital: Paris; GDP: $2.78 trillion USD).
- **National Government**: Semi-presidential republic with President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
- **National Currency**: Euro (EUR) in metropolitan France; CFP Franc in overseas territories.

## FAQs
**Where is Lons-le-Saunier located?**
Lons-le-Saunier is a commune situated in the Jura department of France at coordinates 46.674444444444 latitude and 5.5538888888889 longitude. It is part of the region known as Metropolitan France, which is located in Western Europe.

**What administrative divisions is Lons-le-Saunier part of?**
The commune serves as the seat of the arrondissement of Lons-le-Saunier. Following the 2015 reorganization, it became part of the canton of Lons-le-Saunier-2, having previously been associated with the cantons of Lons-le-Saunier-Nord and Lons-le-Saunier-Sud.

**What political party is headquartered in Lons-le-Saunier?**
The Independent Ecological Movement, a French political party founded on January 1, 1994, has its headquarters in Lons-le-Saunier. The party operates within the political landscape of France.

**What are the historical population trends for Lons-le-Saunier?**
Recorded population figures for the commune show a range of values, including a low of 16,618 and a high of 20,942. Other specific data points include 17,063, 17,189, 17,496, 17,879, 18,483, 19,144, 20,105, 18,769, 17,320, 17,291, 18,149, and 17,459.

**What is the national context of Lons-le-Saunier regarding France?**
As a commune in France, Lons-le-Saunier is subject to the national government of the French Republic, a semi-presidential system with its capital in Paris. France is a founding member of the European Union and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, with a total population of approximately 68.6 million.

## Why It Matters
Lons-le-Saunier holds significance as an administrative center within the Jura department, acting as the seat of its namesake arrondissement. This role anchors it as a key local governance hub in eastern France. Additionally, the town serves as the headquarters for the Independent Ecological Movement, positioning it as a node of political activity for environmental advocacy within the country. Situated within France, a global power with permanent UN Security Council membership and a leading economy in the European Union, the commune benefits from and contributes to the broader infrastructure and stability of the French state.

## Notable For
- **Administrative Seat**: Hosts the administration of the arrondissement of Lons-le-Saunier.
- **Political Headquarters**: Home to the Independent Ecological Movement (founded 1994).
- **Historical Alias**: Historically referred to as Franciade.
- **Transport Hub**: Features the Lons-le-Saunier railway station.
- **Canton Reorganization**: Transitioned from the Nord/Sud cantons to the canton of Lons-le-Saunier-2 in 2015.

## Body

### Geography and Territory
Lons-le-Saunier is geographically positioned at coordinates 46.674444444444° N and 5.5538888888889° E. It is located within the Jura department, which was established on March 4, 1790. The commune is part of Metropolitan France, the portion of the country located in Western Europe. France itself encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometers and shares borders with eight European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. The nation also possesses overseas territories in the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Antarctica, making it present on multiple continents. The highest point in France is Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters), while the lowest is Étang de Lavalduc (-10 meters).

### Government and Administration
As a commune, Lons-le-Saunier is a territorial subdivision of France, a status that has existed since the inception of the commune system in 1789. Administratively, it is the seat of the arrondissement of Lons-le-Saunier. In terms of cantonal divisions, the commune was previously divided between the cantons of Lons-le-Saunier-Nord and Lons-le-Saunier-Sud until March 2015. Following the reorganization effective March 22, 2015, it became part of the canton of Lons-le-Saunier-2.

The broader national government of France is a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration. The current constitution, establishing the Fifth Republic, was adopted on October 4, 1958. The executive branch is shared between President Emmanuel Macron (head of state) and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu (head of government). The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. France is divided into 18 administrative regions, with Lons-le-Saunier falling within the boundaries of the metropolitan regions.

### Demographics and Society
Lons-le-Saunier has recorded various population figures throughout its history, including 16,618; 16,942; 17,043; 17,092; 17,063; 17,189; 17,496; 17,879; 18,483; 19,144; 20,105; 20,942; 18,769; 17,320; 17,291; 18,149; and 17,459.

The commune is situated within France, which had an estimated population of 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025. The country is highly urbanized, with an urban population of approximately 55.4 million compared to a rural population of 12.5 million (2022 data). The national life expectancy is 82 years, and the official language is French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are recognized. The age of majority and marriageable age is 18, and compulsory education is mandated for children aged 6 to 16.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Lons-le-Saunier maintains an official website at http://www.lonslesaunier.fr and is served by the Lons-le-Saunier railway station, facilitating transport within the national network.

The local economy operates within the context of France's mixed economy, which has a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022). The national government budget for 2023 was €455.2 billion. The currency used is the Euro (€), which replaced the French franc in 1999, except in overseas territories like New Caledonia, French Polynesia, and Wallis and Futuna, where the CFP Franc is utilized. Standard VAT rates in France are 20% (standard), 10% and 5.5% (reduced), and 2.1% for medication.

Infrastructure standards in the region include driving on the right-hand side of the road and using the metric system. The electrical grid operates at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs. Speed limits are generally 130 km/h on highways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other roads, and 50 km/h in built-up areas. The international calling code is +33, and the top-level internet domain is .fr.

### Politics and Organizations
Lons-le-Saunier is the headquarters of the Independent Ecological Movement, a French political party that was founded on January 1, 1994. This connection highlights the town's role in national political activities.

At the national level, France is a founding member of the European Union (since March 25, 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since October 24, 1945). It is also a member of NATO (since April 4, 1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960. The country's origins trace back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843, which established West Francia, and the First French Empire was proclaimed in 1804.

### Symbols and Culture
The commune of Lons-le-Saunier shares in the national symbols and culture of France. The national flag is the tricolore (blue, white, red), and the motto is "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" (Liberty, equality, fraternity). The national anthem is "La Marseillaise."

Public holidays observed in the commune include New Year's Day (January 1), Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25). France is also renowned for its cultural contributions to art, philosophy, science, and gastronomy, and is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

## References

1. [Source](https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/cncdext/dyn/public/atlas/rechercheAtlasFrance.html?criteres.collectiviteId=24313)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
16. Populations légales 2019
17. Populations légales 2020
18. Populations légales 2021
19. Populations de référence 2022
20. Populations de référence 2023
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
22. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
23. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=19995)
24. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
25. GeoNames
26. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
27. [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)
28. Quora
29. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
30. museum-digital
31. YouTube API