# Oudon

> commune in Loire-Atlantique, France

**Wikidata**: [Q753750](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q753750)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oudon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oudon

## Summary

Oudon is a commune located in the Loire-Atlantique department in the Pays de la Loire region of western France, situated approximately 37 kilometers northeast of Nantes. The commune sits at coordinates 47.346389°N latitude and 1.286944°W longitude and is part of the Arrondissement of Châteaubriant-Ancenis. Oudon is notable for its historical railway station, Gare d'Oudon, and features the Tour d'Oudon, a historic tower that serves as a local landmark. The commune has a population of approximately 3,904 residents as of the most recent data point.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Oudon
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Loire-Atlantique (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Pays de la Loire
- **Arrondissement**: Châteaubriant-Ancenis (since January 1, 2017; previously part of arrondissement of Ancenis)
- **Coordinates**: 47.346389°N, 1.286944°W
- **Population**: Approximately 3,904 residents (most recent figure from provided data series)
- **Historical Population Range**: 1,371 to 3,936 residents (spanning multiple census periods)
- **Commune Status**: Territorial subdivision of France (commune system established 1789)
- **Website**: http://www.oudon.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Oudon
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Loire-Atlantique, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 42
- **Notable Landmark**: Tour d'Oudon (Oudon Tower)
- **Railway Station**: Gare d'Oudon
- **Image**: TourOudon.jpg (public domain)

## FAQs

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

Oudon is a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department, which is part of the Pays de la Loire region in western France. The department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What administrative changes has Oudon experienced?**

Oudon was previously part of the arrondissement of Ancenis but became part of the Arrondissement of Châteaubriant-Ancenis when it was created on January 1, 2017, as part of administrative reorganization in France.

**What transportation infrastructure serves Oudon?**

Oudon is served by Gare d'Oudon, a railway station located in the commune. This station provides rail connectivity to the surrounding region and connects Oudon to the broader French railway network.

**What is the population of Oudon?**

Oudon has a population of approximately 3,904 residents according to the most recent data provided. Historical population figures show fluctuations between 1,371 and 3,936 residents across different census periods, indicating population growth and decline phases over time.

**What is Oudon's geographic position?**

Oudon is situated at coordinates 47.346389°N latitude and 1.286944°W longitude, placing it in the western part of France, approximately 37 kilometers northeast of the city of Nantes.

**What notable landmarks does Oudon have?**

Oudon features the Tour d'Oudon (Oudon Tower), a historic structure that serves as a prominent local landmark. An image of this tower is available on Wikimedia Commons under public domain licensing.

## Why It Matters

Oudon matters as a representative example of French communal organization in the historically significant region of Loire-Atlantique. The commune exemplifies the medieval and early modern settlement patterns of western France, with its documented history stretching back through the commune system established in 1789. The presence of Gare d'Oudon highlights the commune's integration into regional transportation infrastructure, facilitating economic activity and connectivity between rural and urban centers in the Nantes metropolitan area.

The commune's administrative placement within Loire-Atlantique places it in one of France's most economically dynamic departments, home to the city of Nantes and significant agricultural and industrial activity. The restructuring of arrondissements in 2017, which placed Oudon within the new Arrondissement of Châteaubriant-Ancenis, reflects ongoing efforts to optimize French administrative organization at the sub-departmental level.

For researchers and those interested in French geography, Oudon represents a data point in understanding population distribution patterns in rural and semi-rural communes in western France, with its population trajectory showing the demographic shifts common to many smaller French communes in the post-industrial era.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Location**: Part of Loire-Atlantique, one of France's original 83 departments created during the French Revolution
- **Railway Connectivity**: Home to Gare d'Oudon, providing rail access to the regional transportation network
- **Historic Landmark**: Features the Tour d'Oudon, a historic tower documented in photographic records
- **Administrative Restructuring**: Part of the 2017 reorganization that created the Arrondissement of Châteaubriant-Ancenis
- **Nantes Metropolitan Region**: Located within reasonable proximity to Nantes, a major French city and economic hub

## Body

### Geography and Location

Oudon is situated in the western French department of Loire-Atlantique, which lies within the Pays de la Loire region. The commune's precise geographic coordinates are 47.346389°N latitude and 1.286944°W longitude, positioning it approximately 37 kilometers northeast of Nantes, the largest city in the region and a major economic and cultural center. The commune occupies a position within the geological and cultural landscape of the Loire-Atlantique department, characterized by the proximity to the Loire River basin and the Atlantic coastal influences.

The department of Loire-Atlantique itself holds significant historical importance, having been established on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial 83 departments created during the French Revolution. This administrative creation replaced the older provincial divisions of France and established a more rational system of local governance that persists to the present day.

### Administrative History

Oudon's administrative trajectory reflects the broader evolution of French local government. The commune system, which Oudon participates in, was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, fundamentally restructuring how France was divided administratively. Communes in France serve as the lowest level of administrative division, analogous to municipalities in other countries.

Prior to 2017, Oudon was part of the arrondissement of Ancenis. However, on January 1, 2017, French administrative reorganization resulted in the creation of the new Arrondissement of Châteaubriant-Ancenis, which now includes Oudon. This change represents the French government's ongoing efforts to optimize administrative efficiency and adapt to changing demographic and economic realities.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Oudon reveals a commune that has experienced various population fluctuations over time. The historical population figures provided show values ranging from 1,371 to 3,936 residents across different census periods, with the most recent figure standing at approximately 3,904 residents. These numbers indicate that Oudon has generally experienced population growth over its recorded history, though with periods of stability and potential decline.

The population trajectory of Oudon is characteristic of many rural and semi-rural communes in western France, where demographic patterns often reflect broader economic shifts, including urbanization trends, changes in agricultural employment, and the proximity to larger urban centers like Nantes. The commune's population of nearly 4,000 places it among the smaller but still viable communal populations in the Loire-Atlantique department.

### Transportation and Infrastructure

Oudon is served by Gare d'Oudon, a railway station that provides the commune with connections to the broader French railway network. This infrastructure element is significant for a commune of Oudon's size, as railway stations often serve as important connectors for rural and semi-rural areas to larger urban centers and regional transportation hubs.

The presence of a railway station indicates that Oudon has historically been integrated into regional transportation planning, facilitating both commuter traffic and broader mobility within the Pays de la Loire region. Railway infrastructure in France typically developed during the 19th and early 20th centuries, and many smaller stations like Gare d'Oudon served as important nodes in the agricultural and commercial economy of their respective regions.

### Cultural and Historical Features

Oudon features the Tour d'Oudon (Oudon Tower), which serves as a notable local landmark. This structure represents the kind of historical architecture found throughout the Loire-Atlantique region, which contains numerous medieval and early modern buildings reflecting the area's rich historical heritage. An image of the Tour d'Oudon is preserved in the Wikimedia Commons repository under public domain licensing, indicating its cultural significance and documentation.

The commune's inclusion in the broader French institutional framework, with a dedicated website (http://www.oudon.fr), demonstrates contemporary efforts to maintain local identity and provide information to residents and visitors alike. The commune's Wikipedia presence, with a sitelink count of 42, indicates a moderate level of digital documentation and visibility.

### Regional Context

Oudon is located within Loire-Atlantique, a department that contains the major city of Nantes, the sixth-largest city in France. The department is characterized by a diverse economy that includes agriculture, industry, services, and tourism. The proximity to Nantes provides Oudon residents with access to larger urban amenities, employment opportunities, and cultural institutions while maintaining a more rural or semi-rural quality of life.

The Pays de la Loire region, of which Loire-Atlantique is a part, is one of the 18 administrative regions of metropolitan France. The region encompasses a significant portion of western France, stretching from the Breton border to the northern boundaries of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The region's economy is diverse, with particular strengths in agriculture (notably the production of Muscadet wine), maritime activities, and manufacturing.

### Administrative Classification

In the French administrative system, Oudon is classified as a commune, which represents the lowest level of territorial administration in France. The commune system, established in 1789, created approximately 36,000 communes across France, though this number has since been reduced through mergers. Each commune is governed by a municipal council and mayor, and communes possess varying degrees of autonomy in local matters.

Oudon's classification as a commune places it within a system that provides direct democratic representation at the most local level and ensures that basic public services are administered at a community scale. This system is a distinctive feature of French governance, providing citizens with accessible local administration while maintaining national coherence in policy implementation.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/----0000)
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q295727)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
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)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)