# Marignane

> commune in Bouches-du-Rhône, France

**Wikidata**: [Q243317](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q243317)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marignane)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/marignane

## Summary
Marignane is a commune located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. It serves as a significant hub for the aerospace industry, hosting the headquarters of Airbus Helicopters and the Marseille Provence Airport. The commune is also part of the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence intercommunal structure and contains the canton of Marignane.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Bouches-du-Rhône (inception: March 4, 1790).
- **Region**: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
- **Country**: France (officially République française).
- **Intercommunal Structure**: Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence (inception: January 1, 2016).
- **Arrondissement**: Arrondissement of Istres (inception: November 1, 1981).
- **Canton**: Canton of Marignane (inception: March 22, 2015).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 43.416944444444, Longitude 5.2147222222222.
- **Population**: 33,986 (most recent estimate in provided data); historical figures include 34,393, 34,006, 33,692, 33,164, 33,003, 32,921, 32,920, 32,515, 32,384, 32,325, 31,109, 26,477, and 20,044.
- **Website**: http://www.marignane.fr.
- **Major Industry**: Aerospace and aviation manufacturing.
- **Key Corporate Tenant**: Airbus Helicopters (headquartered in Marignane; inception: January 1, 1992, with roots in November 15, 1989).
- **Key Infrastructure**: Marseille Provence Airport (inception: January 1, 1922).
- **Local Sports Club**: US Marignane (football club; inception: 1924).
- **Railway Station**: Gare de Pas-des-Lanciers.
- **Wikidata ID**:  (referenced as headquarters location for Airbus Helicopters and US Marignane).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Marignane.
- **Sitelink Count**: 55 (for the commune entity).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Marignane within France?**
Marignane is a commune situated in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, which was established on March 4, 1790. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Arrondissement of Istres and constitutes its own canton, created on March 22, 2015.

**Which major industries and organizations are based in Marignane?**
The commune is a global center for aerospace, serving as the headquarters for Airbus Helicopters, a subsidiary of Airbus SE founded in 1992. It is also home to the Marseille Provence Airport, which began operations in 1922, and hosts the football club US Marignane, established in 1924.

**How is Marignane connected to the broader regional governance structure?**
Marignane is a constituent member of the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, an intercommunal structure that came into existence on January 1, 2016. This metropolitan area spans parts of the Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, and Vaucluse departments.

**What transportation infrastructure serves the commune?**
The commune is served by the Gare de Pas-des-Lanciers railway station and is adjacent to the Marseille Provence Airport, a major international gateway. These facilities support both local transit and the extensive logistics needs of the aerospace sector.

## Why It Matters
Marignane holds critical strategic importance as the operational heart of the European helicopter industry. By hosting the headquarters of Airbus Helicopters, the commune anchors a massive industrial ecosystem that includes the manufacturing of civil and military rotorcraft, such as the H160, H145, and the Tiger attack helicopter. Its proximity to the Marseille Provence Airport facilitates global logistics and testing, making it a pivotal node in international aerospace supply chains. Beyond industry, Marignane functions as a key administrative and demographic unit within the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, influencing regional planning and development across southern France. The presence of established local institutions like the US Marignane football club and the Gare de Pas-des-Lanciers station further cements its role as a vibrant, multi-functional community.

## Notable For
- **Aerospace Headquarters**: Hosts the global headquarters of Airbus Helicopters, a leader in European rotorcraft manufacturing.
- **Aviation Hub**: Location of the Marseille Provence Airport, a major international airport established in 1922.
- **Industrial Heritage**: Site of the 1992 merger between Aérospatiale Helicopter and MBB divisions that formed Airbus Helicopters.
- **Regional Governance**: Forms the core of the Canton of Marignane and is a key member of the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence.
- **Local Sports**: Home to US Marignane, a football club founded in 1924.
- **Transport Connectivity**: Served by the Gare de Pas-des-Lanciers railway station.
- **Population Stability**: Maintains a population consistently above 30,000, with recent estimates around 33,986.

## Body

### Geography and Administrative Division
Marignane is a commune located in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. Its precise geographic coordinates are latitude 43.416944444444 and longitude 5.2147222222222. Administratively, it belongs to the Arrondissement of Istres, which was established on November 1, 1981. The commune constitutes the Canton of Marignane, a division created on March 22, 2015. As part of the French territorial organization, it is a "commune," the smallest level of administrative division in the country, a status dating back to the inception of the commune system in 1789. The commune is integrated into the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, a larger intercommunal structure that began operations on January 1, 2016, covering parts of Bouches-du-Rhône, Var, and Vaucluse.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Marignane has fluctuated over recent decades, reflecting broader demographic shifts in the region. Historical data points provided include figures such as 20,044, 26,477, 31,109, 32,325, 32,384, 32,515, 32,793, 32,920, 32,921, 33,003, 33,164, 33,692, 33,929, 33,949, 34,006, and 34,393. The most recent specific estimate cited in the structured data is 33,986. These figures indicate a generally stable or slightly growing population base, supporting the commune's role as a residential and industrial center. The population density and distribution are influenced by the presence of major industrial sites and the proximity to the urban center of Marseille.

### Aerospace and Industrial Ecosystem
Marignane is globally recognized as a primary hub for the aerospace industry, specifically for helicopter manufacturing. The most significant entity in the commune is Airbus Helicopters, a European company formed in 1992 through the merger of the Aérospatiale Helicopter and Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) divisions. Airbus Helicopters is headquartered in Marignane (referenced as ) and operates as a subsidiary of Airbus SE. The company employs thousands of people, with historical employee counts ranging from 19,745 to 22,899. It produces a diverse portfolio of helicopters, including the H160, H145, H155, and H225, as well as military variants like the Tiger attack helicopter and the NH90. The company collaborates with the ASTech aerospace technologies cluster and GIFAS, leveraging expertise from both France and Germany. The presence of Airbus Helicopters drives significant economic activity, research and development, and international trade for the commune.

### Infrastructure and Transportation
The commune's infrastructure is heavily geared towards supporting its aviation industry and connecting it to the wider region. The Marseille Provence Airport, which began operations on January 1, 1922, is located in Marignane and serves as a major international gateway for the Marseille area. This airport is a critical asset for the logistics and testing operations of the local aerospace sector. For rail transport, the commune is served by the Gare de Pas-des-Lanciers railway station, providing connectivity to the national rail network. The commune is also part of the road network serving the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence, facilitating the movement of goods and personnel between the industrial zones and the broader metropolitan area.

### Local Culture and Community
Beyond its industrial profile, Marignane maintains a distinct local community identity. The commune is home to US Marignane, a football club founded in 1924, which contributes to the local sports culture and community engagement. The commune's official website is http://www.marignane.fr, serving as a digital portal for municipal services and information. The presence of the Gare de Pas-des-Lanciers and the proximity to the airport create a unique blend of local life and global connectivity. The commune's integration into the Métropole Aix-Marseille-Provence ensures it benefits from regional cultural initiatives and shared public services. The demographic stability, with a population consistently in the 30,000s, supports a robust local economy and community life.

### Historical Context and Evolution
The administrative history of Marignane is tied to the broader history of the French state and the Bouches-du-Rhône department. The department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune's status as a "commune" is rooted in the 1789 establishment of the municipal system in France. The creation of the Canton of Marignane in 2015 and the Arrondissement of Istres in 1981 reflects ongoing administrative reorganizations aimed at improving governance efficiency. The industrial history of the commune is marked by the evolution of the aerospace sector, from the early operations of Aérospatiale to the formation of Airbus Helicopters in 1992. The Marseille Provence Airport's inception in 1922 marks the beginning of Marignane's long-standing connection to aviation. These historical milestones have shaped the commune into the modern, industrially focused entity it is today.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
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5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
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17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
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24. [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)
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