# Rochefourchat

> commune in Drôme, France

**Wikidata**: [Q323644](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q323644)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochefourchat)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rochefourchat

## Summary

Rochefourchat is a commune located in the Drôme department in the southeastern France region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. It is one of France's smallest and least populated communes, situated in the arrondissement of Die within the canton of La Motte-Chalancon. The village is characterized by its rural setting in the Diois area of the French Prealps.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Rochefourchat is situated in the Drôme department in southeastern France
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Arrondissement**: Die
- **Canton**: La Motte-Chalancon (until March 2015)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 44.598611111111°, Longitude 5.2472222222222°
- **Population**: Historically recorded with very low population figures (as low as 1 person in multiple years)
- **Commune Status**: Established as a French commune since 1789
- **Department Creation**: Drôme department was created on March 4, 1790
- **Wikipedia Title**: Rochefourchat
- **Sitelink Count**: 45
- **Image**: Features Place du Château and the side of Saint-Pierre church

## FAQs

**What region is Rochefourchat located in?**

Rochefourchat is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, specifically in the Drôme department within the arrondissement of Die.

**How populated is Rochefourchat?**

Rochefourchat is one of France's least populated communes, with population figures historically recorded as low as 1 person in multiple census years. It exemplifies the phenomenon of rural depopulation in certain mountainous French regions.

**What administrative divisions does Rochefourchat belong to?**

Rochefourchat is part of the Drôme department, the arrondissement of Die, and was historically part of the canton of La Motte-Chalancon until administrative reorganizations in March 2015.

**What is the geography of Rochefourchat like?**

Rochefourchat is situated in the Diois area, which is part of the French Prealps region. The commune lies at coordinates 44.598611111111°N latitude and 5.2472222222222°E longitude.

## Why It Matters

Rochefourchat matters as an example of France's rural commune system and the challenges facing small mountain villages in the Drôme department. While minimally populated, it represents the administrative structure of French local government and the preservation of municipal identity even in extremely small settlements. The commune demonstrates the historical continuity of French territorial organization, with the commune system dating back to 1789 during the French Revolution. For demographic and geographic researchers, Rochefourchat serves as a data point illustrating rural depopulation trends in certain areas of the French Prealps and Diois region.

## Notable For

- One of France's smallest communes by population
- Located in the Diois area of the Drôme department in the French Prealps
- Part of the historic canton of La Motte-Chalancon
- Features traditional village architecture including Place du Château and Saint-Pierre church

## Body

### Geography and Location

Rochefourchat is a rural commune situated in the southeastern part of France, specifically in the Drôme department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The commune is located in the Diois area, which is part of the French Prealps mountain range. Its precise geographic coordinates are 44.598611111111° latitude and 5.2472222222222° longitude. The terrain is characteristic of the Prealpine region, with mountainous and hilly landscapes that define the local geography.

### Administrative History

Rochefourchat operates as a commune, which is the smallest administrative division in France for municipalities. The French commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and municipalities. The Drôme department, which includes Rochefourchat, was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French administrative divisions following the Revolution. Administratively, Rochefourchat falls under the arrondissement of Die and was historically part of the canton of La Motte-Chalancon until March 2015, when French administrative boundaries were reorganized.

### Demographics

Rochefourchat exemplifies the phenomenon of extreme rural depopulation that has affected many small French communes, particularly those in mountainous regions. The population figures recorded over various census years show remarkably low numbers, with counts as low as 1 person recorded in multiple years. This places Rochefourchat among the least populated communes in France, demonstrating the challenges facing small rural villages in the Drôme department and the broader Diois region. The population data reflects broader trends of rural flight and aging populations in certain areas of rural France.

### Cultural and Architectural Features

The commune features traditional village architecture, including the Place du Château (Castle Square) and the side of the Saint-Pierre church (Église Saint-Pierre). These structures represent the historical and cultural heritage of the settlement, typical of small rural communes in the Drôme department. The village's architectural elements reflect the traditional building styles of the Diois region, characterized by stone construction and structures adapted to the local climate and terrain.

### Regional Context

Rochefourchat is situated in the Diois, a historical and geographical area within the Drôme department known for its mountainous terrain, hiking trails, and rural character. The arrondissement of Die serves as the administrative center for this area. The canton of La Motte-Chalancon, which previously included Rochefourchat, represents the local administrative organization that has evolved over time. The Drôme department as a whole is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's thirteen administrative regions, known for its diverse geography ranging from Alpine mountains to Mediterranean-influenced lowlands.

## 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. Populations légales 2016
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
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)