# Montagnieu

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q859336](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q859336)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montagnieu,_Ain)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/montagnieu-q859336-2

## Summary

Montagnieu is a commune located in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Belley. The commune sits at coordinates 45.793888889°N latitude and 5.4675°E longitude, and maintains a municipal website at http://www.montagnieu-01.fr.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Montagnieu is in the Ain department of France, part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Belley
- **Country**: France
- **Entity Type**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision)
- **Coordinates**: 45.793888889°N, 5.4675°E
- **Wikipedia Title**: Montagnieu, Ain
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ain, France
- **Website**: http://www.montagnieu-01.fr
- **Sitelink Count**: 50
- **Population History**: 561, 598, 623, 622, 634, 306, 354, 372, 356, 386, 461, 514, 609, 647, 651, 666, 684, 668 (various census years)

## FAQs

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

Montagnieu is located in the Ain department, which is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France. The department was created on March 4, 1790.

**What administrative district does Montagnieu belong to?**

Montagnieu falls under the arrondissement of Belley, which is one of the administrative divisions within the Ain department.

**What type of territorial unit is Montagnieu?**

Montagnieu is a commune, which is the smallest territorial unit for administrative purposes in France. The commune system was established in 1789 and serves as the fundamental territorial subdivision for municipalities throughout France.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Montagnieu?**

Montagnieu is situated at latitude 45.793888889°N and longitude 5.4675°E, placing it in the southeastern part of the Ain department near the border with the Isère department.

**What is the population of Montagnieu?**

Montagnieu has had varying population figures across different census years, with recorded numbers including 561, 598, 623, 622, 634, 306, 354, 372, 356, 386, 461, 514, 609, 647, 651, 666, 684, and 668 residents.

## Why It Matters

Montagnieu represents a small but integral part of the French municipal structure, contributing to the decentralized administrative organization of France. As a commune in the Ain department, it participates in the broader framework of French local governance, which operates through a hierarchical system of regions, departments, arrondissements, and communes. The commune system in France, established during the French Revolution in 1789, remains the foundation of local democracy and administration, with over 35,000 communes across the country.

The Ain department, where Montagnieu is located, is strategically significant as one of the original departments created during the French Revolution in 1790. It forms part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative regions, and is situated near the Swiss border and the metropolitan areas of Lyon and Geneva. The arrondissement of Belley, to which Montagnieu belongs, serves as an important administrative subdivision facilitating local governance and public services for the surrounding communities.

For visitors and researchers, Montagnieu exemplifies the small rural communes that characterize much of rural France, maintaining local identity while being integrated into larger regional and national administrative structures. The commune's website (http://www.montagnieu-01.fr) indicates active local governance and community engagement.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic Ain department, created during the French Revolution in 1790
- Located in the arrondissement of Belley, an administrative division with its own historical significance
- Represents the French commune system, a unique territorial subdivision established in 1789
- Geographic positioning in eastern France near the Alpine region
- Active municipal presence with a dedicated website for local governance

## Body

### Geography and Location

Montagnieu is a commune situated in the eastern part of France, specifically in the Ain department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The commune is located at coordinates 45.793888889°N latitude and 5.4675°E longitude, positioning it in the southern portion of the Ain department. This geographic placement places Montagnieu in a region characterized by diverse topography, including plains, hills, and mountainous areas approaching the French Alps.

The commune's location within the arrondissement of Belley connects it to an administrative division that serves the southern part of Ain. Belley itself is a historic town that has served as a subprefecture, indicating the administrative importance of the arrondissement within the departmental structure.

### Administrative Structure

Montagnieu operates as a commune, which is the lowest level of territorial administration in France. The French commune system traces its origins to the revolutionary period, specifically to 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the previous feudal divisions and established communes as the fundamental units of local government. Today, France contains approximately 35,000 communes, each with its own municipal council, mayor, and local administration.

The commune falls under several layers of administrative hierarchy: it is part of the Ain department (département), which is itself part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The department of Ain was created on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution, making it one of the original 83 departments established to replace the old provinces of the Kingdom of France. Ain is further subdivided into arrondissements, with Montagnieu belonging to the arrondissement of Belley.

### Historical Context

The establishment of communes as territorial units in 1789 marked a significant transformation in French administrative organization. Before the Revolution, France was divided into provinces and generalities, with local governance based on feudal privileges and royal authority. The revolutionary government sought to create a uniform, rational administrative structure based on principles of equality and centralization under the national government.

The Ain department was formed from portions of the former provinces of Bresse, Dombes, and Bugey, each with its own distinct historical identity. The arrondissement of Belley, created later as an administrative subdivision, took its name from the town of Belley, which has been an important local center since the Middle Ages.

### Demographics and Community

While specific population figures for Montagnieu vary across different census years, the data shows a fluctuating population that has generally increased over time, with recent figures approaching 668 residents. This population pattern is typical of many rural communes in eastern France, where demographic trends reflect broader patterns of urbanization and rural depopulation that have affected much of rural Europe.

The commune serves as a local community center, providing public services and maintaining municipal infrastructure for its residents. The presence of a municipal website (http://www.montagnieu-01.fr) indicates ongoing local governance and community engagement, allowing residents and external visitors to access information about local services, events, and administrative matters.

### Regional Significance

Montagnieu's location within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region places it in one of France's most economically and culturally diverse areas. The region encompasses both major urban centers like Lyon and Grenoble and extensive rural territories characterized by agriculture, forests, and mountain landscapes. The Ain department specifically benefits from its proximity to Geneva and the Swiss border, as well as its access to major transportation routes connecting France to Italy and Switzerland.

The arrondissement of Belley, with its administrative center in the town of Belley, serves as a service center for the surrounding communes. The town has historical significance dating back to at least the 13th century and has served as a religious episcopal see, adding cultural and historical depth to the region surrounding Montagnieu.

### Connection to National Structures

As a French commune, Montagnieu is integrated into the national administrative system through various connections. The commune reports to the prefecture of Ain, located in Bourg-en-Bresse, which serves as the departmental capital and coordinates state services within the department. At the regional level, the commune is connected to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional council, which handles matters requiring coordination across multiple departments.

The French commune system exemplifies France's unitary state structure, where local administrative divisions operate under the authority of the central government while maintaining local autonomy in certain matters. Communes have their own budgets, property, and administrative powers, allowing them to address local needs while remaining part of the national framework.

### External Resources and Digital Presence

Montagnieu maintains a digital presence through its municipal website at http://www.montagnieu-01.fr, which serves as a point of contact for residents, potential visitors, and researchers. The commune's Wikipedia page (Montagnieu, Ain) and Wikidata entry (with a sitelink count of 50) indicate a moderate level of digital documentation and visibility within the broader information ecosystem.

The commune's inclusion in Wikipedia and Wikidata reflects the broader phenomenon of digital documentation of French municipalities, which provides accessible information to researchers, journalists, and citizens interested in local governance and demographics.

## 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)
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File