# Lyons-la-Forêt

> commune in Eure, France

**Wikidata**: [Q115476](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115476)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyons-la-Forêt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lyons-la-for-t

## Summary

Lyons-la-Forêt is a commune in the Eure department of Normandy, northern France, situated at coordinates 49.399444444444°N, 1.4761111111111°E. It is recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France," an independent association founded in 1982 that promotes exceptional French rural heritage. The commune, which was established as a territorial subdivision of France in 1789, belongs to the arrondissement of Les Andelys and was historically part of the canton of Lyons-la-Forêt until March 2015.

## Key Facts

- **Country**: France (Western Europe)
- **Region**: Normandy (Haute-Normandie historically)
- **Department**: Eure
- **Arrondissement**: Les Andelys
- **Historical Canton**: Lyons-la-Forêt (until March 2015)
- **Coordinates**: 49.399444444444°N, 1.4761111111111°E
- **Commune Status**: Established 1789 (commune of France)
- **Population**: Ranges from 701 to 880 residents across recorded years (specific years not provided)
- **Membership**: The Most Beautiful Villages of France (since March 6, 1982)
- **Official Website**: http://www.lyons-la-foret.fr/
- **Aliases**: Lyons-la-Foret, Lyons
- **Wikipedia Title**: Lyons-la-Forêt
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Eure, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 45

## FAQs

**What region is Lyons-la-Forêt located in?**

Lyons-la-Forêt is located in the Normandy region of northern France, specifically in the Eure department. It belongs to the arrondissement of Les Andelys and was historically part of the canton of Lyons-la-Forêt until administrative reorganizations in March 2015.

**What is Lyons-la-Forêt known for?**

Lyons-la-Forêt is recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), an independent association founded in 1982 that designates villages of exceptional architectural and cultural heritage. This designation highlights the commune's preserved character and historical significance.

**What type of administrative area is Lyons-la-Forêt?**

Lyons-la-Forêt is a commune, which is the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in France in 1789 during the French Revolution, and it serves as the fundamental building block of French local administration.

**What are the nearby administrative divisions?**

Lyons-la-Forêt is situated in the Eure department, which is located in the Normandy region of France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Les Andelys. France itself is a semi-presidential republic and a founding member of the European Union, with Paris as its capital.

**How can I find more information about Lyons-la-Forêt?**

The commune maintains an official website at http://www.lyons-la-foret.fr/ where residents and visitors can access information about local services, events, and community matters.

## Why It Matters

Lyons-la-Forêt matters as an embodiment of French rural heritage and architectural preservation. Its membership in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association places it among approximately 170 communes nationwide that have been recognized for maintaining exceptional historical character, traditional architecture, and environmental quality. This designation is not merely cosmetic—it carries practical implications for local planning restrictions, tourism promotion, and conservation funding. The commune represents the type of small French village that defines the cultural landscape of Normandy, offering insight into centuries of French provincial life, architectural traditions, and community organization. For researchers, tourists, and those interested in French territorial organization, Lyons-la-Forêt serves as a case study in how France balances modernization with heritage preservation at the local level.

## Notable For

- Recognition as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France)
- Location in the historic and picturesque Normandy region
- Traditional French commune administrative structure dating to 1789
- Part of the Eure department, known for its medieval architecture and natural landscapes
- Historical membership in the canton of Lyons-la-Forêt prior to 2015 administrative reforms

## Body

### Geography and Location

Lyons-la-Forêt is situated in the northern part of France, within the Normandy region. The commune lies at coordinates 49.399444444444°N latitude and 1.4761111111111°E longitude, placing it in the Eure department. The area is characterized by the rolling landscapes typical of Normandy, a region renowned for its agricultural lands, historic villages, and proximity to Paris. The commune's location within the arrondissement of Les Andelys places it in a territory known for its rich medieval heritage and proximity to other notable French villages and towns.

### Administrative History

As a commune of France, Lyons-la-Forêt traces its administrative status to 1789, when the French Revolution established the commune as the fundamental territorial division of France. Prior to March 2015, the commune was part of the canton of Lyons-la-Forêt, an administrative unit that grouped several communes for electoral and administrative purposes. The 2015 administrative reforms in France led to the reorganization of cantons throughout the country, resulting in the dissolution of the canton of Lyons-la-Forêt as previously constituted. The commune continues to operate as a basic territorial unit within the French administrative system, governed by local elected officials and subject to departmental and regional oversight.

### Regional Context

Lyons-la-Forêt belongs to the Eure department, one of the two departments that comprised the historical region of Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy) before the 2016 regional reorganization that merged Haute-Normandie with Basse-Normandie to form the single Normandy region. The Eure department is known for its diverse landscape, which includes forests, farmland, and river valleys. The department's capital, Évreux, serves as the prefecture, while the arrondissement of Les Andelys provides intermediate administrative functions. The commune's position in Normandy places it within a region that has played significant roles in French history, from the Norman Conquest of England to the Allied landings in World War II.

### Recognition and Heritage

The commune's membership in "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association represents its most notable contemporary recognition. This independent association, founded on March 6, 1982, maintains strict criteria for membership, including population limits, architectural heritage preservation, and environmental quality. The association currently includes approximately 170 communes across France, each having demonstrated exceptional commitment to maintaining their historical and cultural character. For Lyons-la-Forêt, this designation serves both as recognition of existing heritage preservation efforts and as an incentive for continued conservation of the commune's architectural and natural assets.

### Demographics and Community

The population figures recorded for Lyons-la-Forêt demonstrate the modest scale of the commune, with recorded populations ranging from 701 to 880 residents across various census periods. This population size is typical of rural French communes that maintain agricultural traditions while also serving as residential communities for those working in nearby towns and cities. The commune functions as a local center for surrounding rural areas, providing essential services and community facilities for its residents and those of neighboring communes.

### Connectivity and Modern Administration

Lyons-la-Forêt maintains a digital presence through its official website at http://www.lyons-la-foret.fr/, which serves as a resource for information about local government, services, events, and community matters. The commune is connected to broader French administrative systems and benefits from the infrastructure and services available to all French communes, including postal services, educational facilities, and municipal administration. The Wikipedia article titled "Lyons-la-Forêt" and the commune's presence in Wikidata (with a sitelink count of 45) indicate moderate visibility in digital knowledge systems, reflecting interest in the commune from researchers, tourists, and those documenting French territorial divisions.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. MusicBrainz
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
25. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File