# Épinal

> commune in Vosges, France

**Wikidata**: [Q173695](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q173695)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Épinal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pinal-q173695

## Summary
Épinal is a commune located in the Vosges department of the Grand Est region in northeastern France. It serves as a significant administrative and educational hub, historically linked to the Lorraine INP engineering institute and recognized for its military honors. The city functions as a central point for the surrounding cantons and arrondissements within the Vosges department.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Commune in the Vosges department, France.
- **Coordinates**: 48.173611111111° N, 6.4516666666667° E.
- **Population**: Historical figures include 32,188, 31,938, 33,454, 31,740, 32,223, 32,256, 31,832, 32,285, 32,296, and 32,251.
- **Official Website**: http://www.epinal.fr.
- **Administrative Subdivision**: Part of the arrondissement of Épinal.
- **Cantonal Divisions**: Contains the cantons of Épinal-1, Épinal-2, Épinal-Est, and Épinal-Ouest.
- **Military Recognition**: Awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (established April 2, 1915).
- **Religious Affiliation**: Home to the Basilique Saint-Maurice d'Épinal; falls under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Dié (established 1777).
- **Educational History**: Hosted the École nationale supérieure des technologies et industries du bois (founded 1985) and was a location for the Lorraine INP (founded 1970, replaced 2012).
- **Sports Organizations**: Headquarters for S.A.S. Épinal (football club, founded 1941) and GET Vosges (basketball team, founded 1978).
- **Transport Infrastructure**: Served by the Épinal railway station and the Épinal – Mirecourt Airport.
- **Regional Context**: Located within the Vosges department (established March 4, 1790) and the broader commune of France system (established 1789).
- **Digital Presence**: 81 Wikipedia sitelinks associated with the entity.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Épinal within France?**
Épinal is a commune situated in the Vosges department, which is part of the Grand Est region. It functions as the seat of the arrondissement of Épinal and is divided into four specific cantons: Épinal-1, Épinal-2, Épinal-Est, and Épinal-Ouest.

**Which educational institutions have been located in Épinal?**
The city hosted the École nationale supérieure des technologies et industries du bois, established in 1985, and served as one of the three campuses for the Lorraine INP from its founding in 1970 until its merger in 2012.

**What military honors has the city received?**
Épinal was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration created on April 2, 1915, in recognition of its actions during World War I.

**What religious landmarks define the city?**
The city is home to the Basilique Saint-Maurice d'Épinal and falls under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Dié, which was established in 1777.

**What sports teams are based in the commune?**
Épinal is the headquarters for S.A.S. Épinal, a football club founded in 1941, and GET Vosges, a basketball team established in 1978.

## Why It Matters
Épinal matters as a pivotal administrative center in the Vosges department, anchoring the local governance structure through its role as the seat of the arrondissement and the location of four distinct cantons. Its historical significance is cemented by the awarding of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, marking its contribution to national defense during the First World War. The city has also played a critical role in French technical education, serving as a key campus for the Lorraine INP and hosting specialized engineering schools, thereby influencing the region's industrial and technological development. Furthermore, its infrastructure, including a railway station and an airport, connects it to broader national and regional networks, while its religious and cultural landmarks, such as the Basilique Saint-Maurice, preserve the heritage of the Lorraine region.

## Notable For
- **Military Distinction**: Recipient of the Croix de guerre 1914–1918 for valor during World War I.
- **Educational Hub**: Former host of the Lorraine INP and the École nationale supérieure des technologies et industries du bois.
- **Administrative Center**: Seat of the arrondissement of Épinal and location of four cantons (Épinal-1, Épinal-2, Épinal-Est, Épinal-Ouest).
- **Religious Heritage**: Location of the Basilique Saint-Maurice d'Épinal within the Diocese of Saint-Dié.
- **Sports Legacy**: Home to the historic S.A.S. Épinal football club (founded 1941) and GET Vosges basketball team (founded 1978).
- **Transport Connectivity**: Served by both the Épinal railway station and the Épinal – Mirecourt Airport.
- **Regional Integration**: A core component of the Vosges department, established in 1790.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Épinal is a commune located in the Vosges department of France, positioned at coordinates 48.173611111111° N and 6.4516666666667° E. As a territorial subdivision of France, it operates within the framework established in 1789. The city serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement of Épinal. Its local governance is further structured through four specific cantons: Épinal-1, Épinal-2, Épinal-Est, and Épinal-Ouest, with the latter two cantons having historical sitelink counts of 13 and 12 respectively. The city maintains an official digital presence via the website http://www.epinal.fr and is associated with 81 Wikipedia sitelinks across various languages.

### Historical Significance and Military Honors
The history of Épinal is marked by significant military recognition. The commune was awarded the Croix de guerre 1914–1918, a French military decoration that was established on April 2, 1915. This honor acknowledges the city's role and sacrifices during the First World War. The award is a testament to the city's resilience and contribution to the national defense of France.

### Educational and Institutional Landscape
Épinal has been a notable center for higher education and technical training. It was home to the École nationale supérieure des technologies et industries du bois, a French engineering college founded in 1985. Additionally, the city served as one of the three primary locations for the Lorraine INP (Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine), which was founded in 1970. The Lorraine INP operated across Nancy, Metz, and Épinal until it was replaced by the University of Lorraine in 2012. The Lorraine INP employed approximately 1,160 staff members and served a student body ranging between 3,500 and 6,000 students during its operation.

### Religious and Cultural Heritage
The city possesses significant religious landmarks, most notably the Basilique Saint-Maurice d'Épinal. This basilica is located in the Vosges department and is an important cultural site. Religiously, the commune falls under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Dié. This diocese was established in 1777 and has its headquarters in Épinal, further cementing the city's role as a religious center in the region.

### Sports and Community Organizations
Épinal hosts several prominent sports organizations that contribute to the local community. S.A.S. Épinal is an association football club founded in 1941, with its headquarters located in the city. Another key organization is GET Vosges, a basketball team established in 1978, which also maintains its headquarters in Épinal. These organizations have been active participants in the French sports landscape for decades.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
The city is well-connected through various transportation infrastructure. The Épinal railway station serves as a key transit point for the region. Additionally, the city is served by the Épinal – Mirecourt Airport, facilitating air travel and connectivity. These transport links support the city's role as an administrative and economic hub within the Vosges department.

### Demographics and Population Trends
The population of Épinal has fluctuated over time, with recorded figures including 32,188, 31,938, 33,454, 31,740, 32,223, 32,256, 31,832, 32,285, 32,296, and 32,251. These figures reflect the demographic dynamics of the commune within the broader context of the Vosges department and France. The city remains a significant population center in the region, contributing to the economic and social fabric of the area.

## References

1. Source
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3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
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6. INSEE code
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
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11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
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14. Populations légales 2018
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
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19. Populations de référence 2023
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21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
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25. [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)
26. Quora
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28. YouTube API