# Peaugres

> commune in Ardèche, France

**Wikidata**: [Q194993](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q194993)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaugres)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peaugres

## Summary

Peaugres is a commune located in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern France. The small municipality sits in the southeastern part of France and is home to the notable Safari de Peaugres, a zoo established in 1974. With a population of approximately 2,385 residents, Peaugres represents a typical French rural commune that combines agricultural heritage with tourism attractions.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Ardèche department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Administrative divisions**: Canton of Serrières, Arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône
- **Coordinates**: 45.286388888889°N latitude, 4.7283333333333°E longitude
- **Website**: http://www.peaugres.fr
- **Wikipedia title**: Peaugres
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Ardèche, France
- **Sitelink count**: 41
- **Notable attraction**: Safari de Peaugres (French zoo, established 1974)
- **Country**: France
- **Commune of France**: Part of the French municipal territorial subdivision system (established 1789)
- **Department inception**: Ardèche created March 4, 1790
- **Population figures recorded**: 578, 654, 1028, 1456, 1681, 1911, 1960, 1963, 2006, 2125, 2148, 2219, 2276, 2305, 2320, 2353, 2385

## FAQs

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

Peaugres is situated in the Ardèche department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. The commune belongs to the canton of Serrières and the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône.

**What is Safari de Peaugres?**

Safari de Peaugres is a French zoo located within the commune of Peaugres. It was established in 1974 and serves as one of the notable tourist attractions in the Ardèche region, drawing visitors to the area.

**What type of administrative entity is Peaugres?**

Peaugres is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and serves as the fundamental unit of local government in France.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Peaugres?**

Peaugres is located at approximately 45.286388888889 degrees north latitude and 4.7283333333333 degrees east longitude, placing it in the southeastern portion of the Ardèche department.

**How many people live in Peaugres?**

Peaugres has a population of approximately 2,385 residents, though population figures have varied over time, with recorded numbers ranging from 578 to over 2,300 across different census periods.

## Why It Matters

Peaugres matters as a representative example of rural French communal life in the Ardèche department, a region known for its rugged terrain, gorges, and natural beauty in southeastern France. While a small municipality, Peaugres contributes to the broader cultural and economic fabric of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's most populous and economically significant regions.

The presence of Safari de Peaugres, established in 1974, gives the commune regional importance as a tourist destination. Zoos like Safari de Peaugres play educational and conservation roles while also contributing to local economies through tourism. The attraction brings visitors to Peaugres who might otherwise not visit this small commune, creating economic opportunities for local businesses and services.

From an administrative perspective, Peaugres represents the French commune system, which has been a cornerstone of local governance since 1789. The commune system allows for decentralized administration tailored to local needs while remaining integrated into broader departmental and regional structures. Peaugres' placement within the canton of Serrières and the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône demonstrates how French municipalities are organized into hierarchical administrative units.

The commune's location in Ardèche places it in a department with a rich historical heritage, dating back to its creation in 1790 during the early years of the French Revolution. Ardèche is known for its prehistoric caves, including the famous Pont d'Arc cavern, and its distinctive geography characterized by the Ardèche river and its tributaries.

## Notable For

- **Safari de Peaugres**: Home to a significant zoological park established in 1974, making it a notable destination for family tourism in the Ardèche region
- **Location in Ardèche**: Part of a department renowned for natural landmarks, including the Ardèche Gorge and the Pont d'Arc cave
- **Administrative organization**: Part of the canton of Serrières and the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône, representing the structured French local government system
- **Historical department**: Located in Ardèche, a department created in March 1790, placing it among the historical territorial divisions of France

## Body

### Geography and Location

Peaugres is a commune situated in the Ardèche department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France. The municipality's coordinates place it at approximately 45.286388888889 degrees north latitude and 4.7283333333333 degrees east longitude. This location positions Peaugres in a region characterized by mountainous and hilly terrain, with the Ardèche department being part of the Massif Central highlands in south-central France.

The commune is administratively organized within the canton of Serrières, which serves as an electoral district for various local and regional elections. At a higher administrative level, Peaugres belongs to the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône, one of the arrondissements within the Ardèche department. This multi-tiered administrative structure is typical of French local government, which organizes communes into cantons, which are then grouped into arrondissements, which in turn form departments.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Peaugres operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in the French system. The French commune system traces its origins to 1789, when the French Revolution abolished the previous feudal divisions and established communes as the fundamental units of local government. Today, there are approximately 35,000 communes in France, each with its own mayor and municipal council.

Peaugres is part of the Ardèche department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the early phase of the French Revolution. Ardèche is one of the original 83 departments created at that time and has maintained its territorial integrity since then, though its borders have been slightly modified over the centuries. The department is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative regions, and is known for its diverse landscape ranging from mountainous areas to river valleys.

### Tourism and Attractions

The most notable feature of Peaugres is the Safari de Peaugres, a French zoo established in 1974. This attraction represents a significant asset for the commune, drawing visitors from across France and beyond to experience wildlife in the Ardèche region. Zoos like Safari de Peaugres serve multiple purposes: entertainment and recreation for families, educational opportunities about wildlife conservation, and in some cases, participation in breeding programs for endangered species.

The presence of Safari de Peaugres contributes to the local economy through tourism, creating jobs and supporting related businesses such as restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality services. For a small commune, having a major tourist attraction can be economically significant, providing revenue that supports municipal services and infrastructure.

### Demographics and Population

Peaugres has a population of approximately 2,385 residents, though historical census data shows variation in population figures over time. The recorded population figures include numbers ranging from 578 to over 2,300 across different census periods, reflecting the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes. Population trends in small French communes can be influenced by various factors, including economic opportunities, housing availability, and quality of life considerations.

The commune represents the typical demographic pattern of many rural French municipalities, where population levels may fluctuate based on births, deaths, and migration patterns. Many small French communes have experienced population decline in recent decades as younger residents move to larger cities for education and employment opportunities, though some communes have seen population growth as people seek quieter lifestyles away from urban centers.

### Regional Context

Peaugres is located in the Ardèche department, which is renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities. The department takes its name from the Ardèche river, which flows through the region and has carved spectacular gorges over millions of years. The Ardèche Gorge is one of the most famous natural landmarks in France, attracting hikers, kayakers, and canyoners throughout the year.

The region has significant historical importance as well, with evidence of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times. The Pont d'Arc cavern, located near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc in Ardèche, contains some of the oldest known cave paintings in Europe, dating back approximately 36,000 years. This archaeological heritage adds cultural significance to the region beyond its natural attractions.

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in which Ardèche is located, is one of France's most populous and economically diverse regions. It encompasses major cities including Lyon, Grenoble, and Clermont-Ferrand, and features a mix of mountainous terrain, volcanic landscapes, and fertile river valleys. The region is a major economic driver in France, with strong sectors in industry, agriculture, tourism, and research.

### Local Governance and Services

As a French commune, Peaugres is governed by a mayor and municipal council, who are responsible for local administration and services. French communes are required to provide certain basic services to their residents, including civil registration (births, marriages, deaths), local planning and zoning, maintenance of local roads and public spaces, and administration of local taxes.

The commune's website, http://www.peaugres.fr, serves as a point of contact for residents and visitors, providing information about local services, municipal decisions, and community events. Digital presence has become increasingly important for French communes, both for administrative efficiency and for connecting with residents and tourists.

### Connection to French Institutional Framework

Peaugres exists within a complex web of French institutional relationships. As a commune, it is subject to the general legal framework governing French municipalities while maintaining local autonomy in certain matters. The commune is part of the canton of Serrières, which serves electoral functions and sometimes administrative coordination purposes. The arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône provides another layer of administrative organization, primarily for statistical and governmental coordination purposes.

This hierarchical structure reflects the French approach to local government, which balances local autonomy with national coordination. While communes have significant independence in managing local affairs, they operate within a framework of departmental and regional oversight that ensures consistency in governance across France.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. répertoire géographique des communes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Annuaire de service-public.fr
6. MusicBrainz
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)