# Montigny-sur-Meuse

> commune in Ardennes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1084889](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1084889)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montigny-sur-Meuse)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/montigny-sur-meuse

## Summary

Montigny-sur-Meuse is a commune (municipality) located in the Ardennes department of northeastern France, situated along the Meuse river in the administrative arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières and the canton of Fumay. The commune sits at coordinates approximately 50.049°N latitude and 4.722°E longitude, placing it in the hilly terrain of the French Ardennes region near the Belgian border.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Montigny-sur-Meuse
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Ardennes
- **Arrondissement**: Charleville-Mézières
- **Canton**: Fumay
- **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (municipal subdivision established +1789)
- **Geographic Feature**: Located on the Meuse river
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 50.049166666667°N, Longitude 4.7216666666667°E
- **Population History**: 87, 80, 81, 80, 81, 130, 101, 99, 104, 78, 76, 97, 81, 80, 78, 77, 76 (recorded census figures)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Montigny-sur-Meuse
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ardennes, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 43

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Montigny-sur-Meuse?**

Montigny-sur-Meuse is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France, a system established during the French Revolution in 1789. It operates as a local administrative unit within the broader French governmental structure.

**Which department and region is Montigny-sur-Meuse located in?**

Montigny-sur-Meuse is located in the Ardennes department of France, which is situated in the northeastern part of the country in the Grand Est region. The department is known for its forested hills, the Meuse river valley, and its proximity to Belgium and Luxembourg.

**What is the administrative hierarchy of Montigny-sur-Meuse?**

Montigny-sur-Meuse sits within a multi-tiered administrative structure: it is a commune that belongs to the canton of Fumay, which is part of the arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières, all within the Ardennes department of France.

**What geographic features define Montigny-sur-Meuse?**

The commune is situated along the Meuse river, a significant waterway in western Europe that flows through France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The precise coordinates place it at approximately 50.049°N latitude and 4.722°E longitude in the Ardennes region.

**What is known about the population of Montigny-sur-Meuse?**

The population figures recorded for Montigny-sur-Meuse show variation over time, with census data indicating numbers that have fluctuated between approximately 76 and 130 residents across recorded periods, reflecting demographic changes common to small rural French communes.

## Why It Matters

Montigny-sur-Meuse represents a quintessential example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. While modest in size, such communes are essential to understanding France's decentralized governmental structure, where local municipalities maintain significant autonomy in managing local affairs, urban planning, and community services. The commune's location in the Ardennes—a region historically significant for its strategic position between France, Belgium, and Germany—adds historical importance to its contemporary administrative function. The presence of the Meuse river connects Montigny-sur-Meuse to a long tradition of riverside settlements in Europe, where waterways have historically facilitated trade, transportation, and economic development. For researchers and those interested in French geography, Montigny-sur-Meuse serves as a data point for understanding population trends in rural France, where many small communes have experienced demographic fluctuations due to urbanization and rural depopulation patterns affecting much of rural Europe.

## Notable For

- **Riverside Location**: Situated directly on the Meuse river, one of major European waterways
- **Administrative Structure**: Part of the French commune system dating to 1789
- **Regional Identity**: Located in the Ardennes, a department known for its natural landscapes and strategic historical importance
- **Canton Membership**: Belongs to the canton of Fumay, an administrative subdivision within Ardennes

## Body

### Geography and Location

Montigny-sur-Meuse is positioned in the northeastern French department of Ardennes, within the Grand Est region of France. The commune's geographic coordinates place it at 50.049166666667°N latitude and 4.7216666666667°E longitude. The municipality is situated along the Meuse river, which originates in France and flows northward through Belgium and the Netherlands before emptying into the North Sea. The Ardennes department is characterized by its rolling hills, extensive forests, and the Meuse valley, which has been a natural corridor for human settlement and transportation for centuries. The region's proximity to the Belgian border has made it historically significant for trade, migration, and at times, military conflict.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Montigny-sur-Meuse operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in the French system. The commune system was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous feudal and municipal structures. Montigny-sur-Meuse belongs to the canton of Fumay, which serves as an electoral and administrative subdivision for certain local functions. Above the canton level, the commune is part of the arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières, which serves as the administrative center for the surrounding area. The arrondissement is itself contained within the Ardennes department, one of France's 101 departments, which are the primary administrative divisions of the country. France itself is a unitary semi-presidential republic organized into 18 administrative regions, with Ardennes belonging to the Grand Est region.

### Historical Context

The commune of Montigny-sur-Meuse exists within a region that has seen significant historical events. The Ardennes has long served as a passage between France and the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg). The Meuse river valley has been inhabited since ancient times, with Roman settlements established in the region. The current commune structure, dating to 1789, reflects the revolutionary transformation of French administration, which replaced the old kingdom's provinces with rationalized departments and communes. The Ardennes region experienced significant events during both World Wars, particularly during the Battle of the Ardennes in 1944-1945, though specific historical events involving Montigny-sur-Meuse would require additional documentation beyond this entry.

### Population and Demographics

The population data recorded for Montigny-sur-Meuse shows a pattern of fluctuation typical of small rural French communes. The recorded census figures (87, 80, 81, 80, 81, 130, 101, 99, 104, 78, 76, 97, 81, 80, 78, 77, 76) indicate varying population levels over time, with figures ranging from a high of approximately 130 residents to a low of around 76. These fluctuations reflect broader demographic trends affecting rural France, where many small communes have experienced population decline due to rural-urban migration, aging populations, and changes in economic opportunities. The commune's small population places it among the numerous small municipalities that characterize the French rural landscape, where communes with fewer than 100 residents are not uncommon, particularly in less densely populated regions like the Ardennes.

### Relationship to Connected Entities

Montigny-sur-Meuse exists within a network of administrative and geographic relationships. As a commune of France, it is directly connected to the French state, which provides the overarching governmental framework. The Meuse river flows through or near the commune, connecting it to the broader hydrographic network of western Europe. The Ardennes department provides regional administrative functions, while the arrondissement of Charleville-Mézières handles sub-departmental administrative matters. The canton of Fumay serves as the immediate electoral and administrative unit above the commune level. These relationships illustrate the hierarchical nature of French territorial organization, where each commune is integrated into a structured system of administrative units that provide services, representation, and governance at local, regional, and national levels.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

The commune's name, Montigny-sur-Meuse, directly references both its geographic setting and its position along the Meuse river. The "-sur-Meuse" suffix (meaning "on the Meuse") indicates the commune's relationship to the river, a naming convention common in French toponymy. The Ardennes department, to which Montigny-sur-Meuse belongs, is known for its distinctive character, combining natural beauty with industrial heritage. The region has historically been associated with steel production, mining, and forestry, though like many European rural regions, it has undergone economic transformation over the past decades. The local culture reflects both French traditions and influences from neighboring Belgium, particularly in language, cuisine, and customs, as the Ardennes is one of several French regions with strong cross-border connections.

## References

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