# Macé

> commune in Orne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1347237](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1347237)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macé)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mac-q1347237

## Summary

Macé is a commune located in the Orne department in the Normandy region of northwestern France, situated in the arrondissement of Alençon. The small rural municipality sits at coordinates 48.636111111111°N latitude and 0.14083333333333°E longitude and has been historically known by alternative names including La Haye and Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Normandy region, Orne department, arrondissement of Alençon, France
- **Coordinates**: 48.636111111111°N, 0.14083333333333°E
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative Status**: Commune in Orne department
- **Historical Names**: La Haye, Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye (réunie à Macé)
- **Website**: https://communedemace.webnode.fr/
- **Wikipedia Title**: Macé
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Orne, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Population Data**: 469, 441, 432, 409, 388, 368, 393, 418, 443, 460 (various census years)
- **Classification**: Commune of France (France territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: +1789)

## FAQs

**What region and department is Macé located in?**

Macé is located in the Normandy region of France, specifically in the Orne department. It falls within the arrondissement of Alençon, which is one of the administrative divisions governing local governance in the area.

**What are the alternative names for Macé?**

Macé has been known by two historical names: La Haye and Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye. The latter name, Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye, indicates that it was formerly a separate commune that was united with Macé at some point in history.

**What is the geographic position of Macé?**

Macé is situated at latitude 48.636111111111 degrees north and longitude 0.14083333333333 degrees east, placing it in the northwestern part of France within the Normandy region.

**What type of administrative division is a commune in France?**

In France, a commune is the lowest-level territorial subdivision for municipalities. The commune of France as a territorial subdivision has been in existence since 1789, representing the basic unit of local government throughout the country.

**How can one find more information about Macé?**

The official website for the commune of Macé is available at https://communedemace.webnode.fr/, providing local information about the municipality.

## Why It Matters

Macé represents a traditional French rural commune that embodies the local governance structure fundamental to France's administrative organization. As one of the thousands of communes throughout France, Macé contributes to the decentralized governance system that characterizes the French Republic. These small municipalities serve as the closest level of government to citizens, managing local services, maintaining public spaces, and representing local interests within the broader departmental and regional frameworks.

The commune's location in Normandy places it within a region of significant historical importance in France. Normandy is renowned for its medieval heritage, agricultural production, and cultural traditions. Macé's presence within the Orne department, specifically the arrondissement of Alençon, connects it to a network of local governance that has evolved since the French Revolution's establishment of the commune system in 1789.

The preservation of historical names like Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye also indicates Macé's connection to France's administrative evolution, where smaller municipalities were sometimes merged to form more efficient administrative units. This historical context provides insight into France's ongoing balance between maintaining local identity and achieving administrative efficiency.

## Notable For

- Historical administrative unity with Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye, demonstrating the consolidation of French communes over time
- Location within the historic Normandy region, known for its cultural heritage and agricultural significance
- Part of the arrondissement of Alençon, connecting it to the departmental structure of Orne
- Official web presence through its municipal website, demonstrating modern local governance communication

## Body

### Geography and Location

Macé is geographically positioned at 48.636111111111°N latitude and 0.14083333333333°E longitude. This places the commune in the northwestern part of France, within the Normandy region. The municipality sits in the Orne department, which is situated in the southern part of Normandy. The commune falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Alençon, one of the sub-divisions of the Orne department.

The territory of Macé represents the typical rural landscape of the Normandy region, characterized by agricultural land, small settlements, and the commune structure that has defined French local administration since the Revolution. The precise coordinates indicate a location in the interior of Normandy, away from the coastal areas that border the English Channel.

### Administrative History and Structure

Macé operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. The commune system was established during the French Revolution in 1789, creating a uniform administrative structure across the entire country. This system replaced the previous feudal divisions and established the commune as the basic unit of local government.

The commune of France classification encompasses all municipalities in the country, from small rural villages like Macé to large cities like Paris. Each commune has its own local government, though the extent of powers varies depending on the size and resources of the municipality. Macé, as a smaller rural commune, would typically handle local services such as civil registration, local planning, and maintenance of communal facilities.

The historical name Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye (réunie à Macé) indicates that Macé absorbed or merged with another former commune called Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye. This type of consolidation has occurred throughout France as smaller municipalities were merged, particularly during the 20th century, to create more efficient administrative units and strengthen local governance structures.

### Historical Context

The alternative name La Haye provides insight into the commune's historical identity. Place names in France often reflect medieval land ownership, religious affiliations, or geographical features. The name "Haye" (meaning "hedge" or "enclosure" in Old French) is a common toponymic element in French geography.

The mention of Saint-Léger-de-la-Haye being "réunie à Macé" (united to Macé) suggests that at some point in history, these two administrative entities were combined. This practice of merging communes was encouraged at various points in French history, particularly when populations declined in rural areas or when efficiency gains could be achieved through consolidation.

### Population and Demographics

The population data provided shows figures of 469, 441, 432, 409, 388, 368, 393, 418, 443, and 460 across various census years. These numbers indicate a relatively small rural commune, typical of the Normandy interior. The fluctuation in population numbers reflects broader demographic trends in rural France, where many small communes have experienced population decline followed by periods of relative stability or modest growth.

The population figures demonstrate that Macé has maintained a consistent population in the range of 400-500 residents, which is characteristic of rural communes in the Orne department. This population size is sufficient to maintain basic municipal services and justify the commune's continued existence as an administrative unit, while also reflecting the challenges faced by rural areas in maintaining population levels.

### Connection to Broader Administrative Structures

Macé is part of a hierarchical administrative structure in France. At the base level is the commune (Macé itself). Above the commune is the arrondissement (Alençon), which is a sub-division of the department. The department of Orne encompasses the entire territory, and above that sits the Normandy region. This multi-layered system represents France's approach to balancing local governance with regional coordination.

The Orne department, created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, is one of the original departments formed when France was reorganized into administrative divisions. The department is named after the Orne River that flows through it. Normandy as a region has a distinct historical identity that predates the modern administrative divisions, having been a historical province of France since the Middle Ages.

### Modern Administration and Communication

Macé maintains a web presence through its official website at https://communedemace.webnode.fr/. This digital presence reflects the modernization of local government communication in France, where even small communes increasingly utilize online platforms to inform residents about local services, announcements, and community events.

The website provides a direct communication channel between the municipal government and its residents, as well as providing information to outside visitors or those researching the commune. This online presence is part of a broader trend in French local government toward digitalization of public services and administrative transparency.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

As part of Normandy, Macé is connected to a region with a rich cultural heritage. Normandy is famous for its agricultural products (including Camembert cheese and Calvados apple brandy), its medieval architecture (including Mont Saint-Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry), and its significant role in European history. The region has also been historically important as a center of trade and commerce due to its coastal access and strategic position between Britain and the continent.

The commune structure in Normandy, as elsewhere in France, serves not only as an administrative unit but also as a focus for local identity and community. Local festivals, traditions, and associations often organize at the commune level, preserving cultural practices and fostering community bonds among residents.

### Relationship to Other Entities

The source material identifies several key relationships for Macé:

- **France**: The sovereign country within which Macé is located
- **Orne**: The department in Normandy that contains Macé
- **arrondissement of Alençon**: The administrative arrondissement that encompasses Macé
- **commune of France**: The category of territorial subdivision to which Macé belongs

These relationships define Macé's position within the French administrative hierarchy and connect it to broader regional and national structures. The commune exists within a framework of interlinked administrative divisions that coordinate governance from the local to the national level.

## 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 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=32932)
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)