# Massignieu-de-Rives

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q838682](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q838682)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massignieu-de-Rives)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/massignieu-de-rives

## Summary

Massignieu-de-Rives is a commune located in the Ain department of eastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Belley. The commune sits at coordinates 45.754166666667° latitude and 5.7672222222222° longitude in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. With a population of approximately 650 residents, it represents a small rural community in the French Alps foothills area, maintaining a municipal website at https://massignieuderives.fr.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Ain department, arrondissement of Belley, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Coordinates**: 45.754166666667° N, 5.7672222222222° E
- **Country**: France
- **Administrative Division**: Ain département (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Subdivision Type**: Commune of France (inception: 1789)
- **Population**: Approximately 650 residents (most recent figure)
- **Historical Population Data**: 646, 624, 627, 614, 617, 323, 305, 404, 412, 498, 564, 625, 613, 620, 631, 642, 653, 650
- **Official Website**: https://massignieuderives.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Massignieu-de-Rives
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ain, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 50

## FAQs

**What region and department is Massignieu-de-Rives located in?**

Massignieu-de-Rives is located in the Ain department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Belley, which is one of the administrative divisions responsible for coordinating local government services in the department.

**What type of administrative area is Massignieu-de-Rives?**

Massignieu-de-Rives is classified as a commune, which is the smallest territorial administrative division in France. Communes serve as the fundamental units of local government, similar to municipalities in other countries, and date back to the French Revolution era with the structure being formalized in 1789.

**How many people live in Massignieu-de-Rives?**

The most recent population figures for Massignieu-de-Rives indicate approximately 650 residents. The historical population data shows fluctuations over time, with figures ranging from as low as 305 in earlier census periods to peaks of 653, suggesting demographic changes or adjustments in municipal boundaries throughout its history.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Massignieu-de-Rives?**

Massignieu-de-Rives is situated at latitude 45.754166666667° N and longitude 5.7672222222222° E, placing it in the southeastern part of the Ain department near the foothills of the French Alps.

**Does Massignieu-de-Rives have an official website?**

Yes, Massignieu-de-Rives maintains an official municipal website accessible at https://massignieuderives.fr, providing information about local services, community events, and administrative matters for residents and visitors.

## Why It Matters

Massignieu-de-Rives represents the foundational unit of French local governance, embodying the country's decentralized administrative structure that dates back to the revolutionary period of 1789. As one of the approximately 35,000 communes in France, it participates in the democratic tradition of local self-management that is central to French civic life. The commune's location in the Ain department places it within a region known for its economic vitality, agricultural production, and proximity to major urban centers like Lyon and Geneva. The population fluctuations reflected in the historical data illustrate the broader demographic trends affecting rural France, where many small communes have experienced population declines followed by stabilization or modest growth as people seek quieter lifestyles away from major cities. Understanding communes like Massignieu-de-Rives provides insight into the grassroots level of French governance and the everyday lives of citizens in smaller communities that form the backbone of the nation's social and administrative fabric.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic Ain department established during the French Revolution in 1790
- Located in the arrondissement of Belley, an administrative division serving eastern Ain
- Represents the French commune system dating to 1789
- Situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, one of France's largest and most economically diverse regions
- Maintains an official online presence through its municipal website

## Body

### Geography and Location

Massignieu-de-Rives is positioned at coordinates 45.754166666667° north latitude and 5.7672222222222° east longitude, placing it in the southeastern portion of the Ain department. The commune lies within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which encompasses parts of the former regions of Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes in south-central and eastern France. This location places Massignieu-de-Rives in the transitional zone between the Bresse plain to the north and the Alpine foothills to the east, characterized by rolling hills and agricultural landscapes typical of this part of eastern France.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Massignieu-de-Rives operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in France. The commune as an administrative concept was formalized during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Massignieu-de-Rives falls within the arrondissement of Belley, which serves as an intermediate administrative level between the commune and the department. The Ain department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments following the Revolution. This hierarchical structure—region, department, arrondissement, commune—represents the standard framework for French territorial administration.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Massignieu-de-Rives reveals significant fluctuations over time, with figures recorded as 646, 624, 627, 614, 617, 323, 305, 404, 412, 498, 564, 625, 613, 620, 631, 642, 653, and 650. These numbers likely represent census data from various years, showing a pattern of population decline followed by recovery. The lower figures of 305 and 323 likely represent earlier census periods, while the higher numbers in the 640-650 range reflect more recent population levels. This demographic trajectory is consistent with broader trends in rural France, where many small communes experienced population loss during the mid-20th century due to urbanization, followed by varying degrees of stabilization or regrowth as remote work and quality-of-life considerations drew new residents to rural areas.

### Regional Context

Massignieu-de-Rives is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative regions and one of the largest in terms of territory and economic output. This region was formed in 2016 through the merger of the former Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions and encompasses diverse landscapes from the volcanic mountains of the Massif Central to the Alpine peaks near the Italian and Swiss borders. The Ain department specifically is known for its agricultural production, particularly poultry (especially Bresse chickens), dairy products, and wines. The department also contains significant industrial activity and is situated within convenient reach of major metropolitan areas including Lyon, France's third-largest city, and Geneva in Switzerland.

### Local Governance and Services

As a functioning commune, Massignieu-de-Rives maintains local governance through a municipal council and mayor, providing essential services to its residents. The commune maintains an official website at https://massignieuderives.fr, enabling digital communication with citizens and providing access to administrative information, local news, and municipal services. This online presence reflects the modern approach to local government communication in France, where even small communes increasingly utilize digital platforms to engage with their populations.

### Historical Context

The commune system in France, to which Massignieu-de-Rives belongs, was established during the French Revolution as part of the rationalization of local administration. The decree of December 14, 1789 established the commune as the basic territorial unit, and this structure has remained fundamentally stable despite numerous political changes over more than two centuries. The Ain department's creation in 1790 was part of the revolutionary government's effort to replace the complex provincial divisions of the ancien régime with a uniform, rational administrative system based on geography rather than historical privileges. Massignieu-de-Rives thus represents continuity with this revolutionary administrative heritage.

### Connection to French Administrative Hierarchy

Massignieu-de-Rives exists within a clearly defined hierarchical structure: it is a commune, which places it within the arrondissement of Belley, which itself is part of the Ain department, which is contained within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, all within the nation of France. This hierarchical organization ensures coordination of local services, representation, and administrative functions across different levels of government. The sitelink count of 50 indicates moderate digital presence and reference across Wikimedia projects, suggesting steady but not extensive online documentation of the commune.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/V---0000)
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 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)