# Plavilla > commune in Aude, France **Wikidata**: [Q1083537](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1083537) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plavilla) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/plavilla ## Summary Plavilla is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, in the canton of Fanjeaux and the arrondissement of Carcassonne. Situated in the historical region of Occitanie in South West France, this small rural municipality sits at coordinates 43.1469°N latitude and 1.9136°E longitude. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Canton of Fanjeaux, arrondissement of Carcassonne, department of Aude, region Occitanie, France - **Geographic Coordinates**: 43.146944444444°N latitude, 1.9136111111111°E longitude - **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, established +1789) - **Department Inception**: Aude department established March 4, 1790 - **Website**: http://mairieplavilla.com - **Wikipedia Title**: Plavilla - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aude, France - **Sitelink Count**: 41 - **Population History**: 146, 142, 131, 120, 108, 112, 123, 112, 104, 66, 54, 71, 55, 110, 110, 116, 124 (spanning multiple census years) ## FAQs **What region and department is Plavilla located in?** Plavilla is located in the Aude department of southern France, which is part of the Occitanie region in South West France. The commune falls within the canton of Fanjeaux and the arrondissement of Carcassonne. **What type of administrative area is Plavilla?** Plavilla 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. **What are the exact coordinates of Plavilla?** Plavilla is situated at latitude 43.146944444444°N and longitude 1.9136111111111°E, placing it in the southern part of France near the Mediterranean coast. **What is the population of Plavilla?** Population figures for Plavilla across multiple census years show values including 146, 142, 131, 120, 108, 112, 123, 112, 104, 66, 54, 71, 55, 110, 110, 116, and 124 residents, indicating fluctuation over time. **What is the website for Plavilla's local government?** The official municipal website for Plavilla is http://mairieplavilla.com, where local government information would be published. ## Why It Matters Plavilla represents the traditional rural commune structure that forms the backbone of French local government. As one of the approximately 34,000 communes in France, it embodies the decentralized administrative system that has governed French municipalities since the Revolution of 1789. The commune system allows for local governance while maintaining national coherence through the departmental and regional administrative layers. The Aude department, where Plavilla is located, is situated in the historically significant region of Occitanie, known for its Mediterranean climate, viticulture, and cultural heritage including Cathar history and the Canal du Midi. Communes like Plavilla contribute to the demographic and economic fabric of this southern French territory, maintaining agricultural traditions and local community structures that have defined rural French life for centuries. The canton of Fanjeaux, to which Plavilla belongs, represents an intermediate level of administrative organization that facilitates local representation and coordination between communes and the departmental government. This hierarchical structure ensures that even small municipalities like Plavilla have connections to broader administrative frameworks and can access departmental resources and services. ## Notable For - Part of the historic Aude department established in 1790 during the French Revolution - Located in the canton of Fanjeaux, an administrative unit serving multiple smaller communes - Situated in the arrondissement of Carcassonne, connecting it to a major regional administrative center - Part of the Occitanie region, the largest region in France by area - Maintains municipal government through the commune system dating to 1789 ## Body ### Geography and Location Plavilla is positioned in the southern part of France within the Aude department, one of the six departments comprising the Occitanie region in South West France. The commune's geographic coordinates of 43.146944444444°N latitude and 1.9136111111111°E longitude place it in a predominantly rural area characterized by rolling hills, agricultural land, and proximity to the Mediterranean climate zone. The location situates Plavilla within reasonable distance from the Mediterranean coast while maintaining its inland, rural character. ### Administrative Structure Plavilla operates as a commune, which is the French term for a municipality and the lowest level of administrative division in France. The commune system was formalized during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. As a commune, Plavilla has its own municipal government, mayor, and council, though the specific population figures suggest a small local administration serving a modest population. The commune is part of the canton of Fanjeaux, an electoral and administrative district that groups together multiple communes for purposes of local representation and coordination. Fanjeaux itself is a historical town in the region, known for its medieval heritage and strategic position during the Cathar period. At the next administrative level, Plavilla belongs to the arrondissement of Carcassonne. The arrondissement serves as an administrative division within the department, providing an intermediate level of government between the commune and the department. Carcassonne, the subprefecture city, is a major urban center in Aude, famous for its fortified medieval citadel and its role as the prefecture of the department. ### Historical Context The Aude department was established on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution as part of the reorganization of French administrative divisions. This date places the department's creation in the context of the revolutionary government's efforts to create a rational, uniform system of local administration based on rational geographic and population criteria rather than the historical provinces and jurisdictions of the Ancien Régime. The commune of Plavilla, as part of this system, has existed since the establishment of the commune system in 1789. The French commune system was designed to provide local democratic governance while maintaining national unity, and it has remained largely stable since its creation, though the number and boundaries of communes have been modified over time. ### Regional Context Plavilla is located in Occitanie, the largest region in France by geographic area, created in 2016 through the merger of the former Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions. This region is characterized by its diversity, ranging from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees mountains, and includes significant agricultural production, tourism, and cultural heritage sites. The Aude department specifically is known for its wine production, with numerous vineyards throughout the territory. The department also contains the fortified city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and portions of the Canal du Midi, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region's history includes the Cathar heresy and the Albigensian Crusades, which left lasting marks on the architecture and cultural identity of the area. ### Population and Demographics The population data for Plavilla shows significant fluctuation over time, with recorded figures including 146, 142, 131, 120, 108, 112, 123, 112, 104, 66, 54, 71, 55, 110, 110, 116, and 124 residents across various census years. These figures indicate that Plavilla, like many rural French communes, has experienced population changes reflecting broader demographic trends in rural France, including periods of decline followed by relative stabilization. The population figures place Plavilla among the smaller communes in France, consistent with the rural character of the Aude department's interior. Many small communes in rural France have faced population decline as younger residents move to larger cities for education and employment opportunities, though some have experienced renewed interest as people seek rural lifestyles or vacation properties. ### Local Government and Services As a commune, Plavilla maintains local government through a mayor and municipal council. The municipal government is responsible for local services including local roads, municipal buildings, civil registration, and local planning. The website http://mairieplavilla.com provides information about local government services and activities. The municipal structure in France allows for significant local autonomy within the national framework. Communes of all sizes have similar powers and responsibilities, though the scale of services varies based on population and resources. Smaller communes like Plavilla often collaborate with neighboring communes through intercommunal structures to provide services that would be impractical to maintain individually. ### Connections to Broader Administrative Framework Plavilla's administrative position illustrates the layered structure of French local government. The commune sits at the base of the hierarchy, followed by the canton of Fanjeaux, the arrondissement of Carcassonne, the department of Aude, and the region of Occitanie. Each level serves different functions, from local municipal services to departmental infrastructure and regional planning. The department of Aude, with its capital at Carcassonne, provides services including roads, social services, and educational infrastructure. The department was created in 1790 as part of the revolutionary reorganization of France and has maintained its essential boundaries since that time, though its administrative role has evolved with changes in French governance. ### Cultural and Historical Significance While Plavilla itself may be a small commune, it is situated in a region of considerable historical and cultural significance. The Aude department contains numerous historical sites including the fortified city of Carcassonne, abbeys and churches from the medieval period, and traces of Roman occupation. The region's association with the Cathar movement and the Albigensian Crusades of the 13th century gives it a distinctive historical identity. The area around Plavilla has been inhabited since ancient times, with evidence of Roman occupation throughout the region. The medieval period saw the development of fortified towns and villages, many of which retain their historical character today. The agricultural traditions of the region, including wine production and grain farming, have continued from medieval times to the present. ## References 1. BnF authorities 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. 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)