# Saint-Aubin-le-Monial

> commune in Allier, France

**Wikidata**: [Q867871](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q867871)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Aubin-le-Monial)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-aubin-le-monial

## Summary

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial is a commune located in the Allier department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of central France. It was formed in 1804 through the merger of the former communes of Saint-Aubin and Bessais-le-Monial. The commune sits at coordinates 46.5275°N latitude and 2.9978°E longitude, situated in the arrondissement of Moulins.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Saint-Aubin-le-Monial
- **Country**: France
- **Department**: Allier (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Arrondissement**: Moulins
- **Commune Status**: Established 1789 (commune of France)
- **Formation**: Created in 1804 through merger of Saint-Aubin and Bessais-le-Monial
- **Coordinates**: 46.5275°N, 2.9977777777778°E
- **Historical Aliases**: Saint-Aubin, Bessais-le-Monial, Bessay le Libre, Le Marcat
- **Population History**: 275, 265, 269, 266, 269, 403, 295, 273, 269, 278, 294, 284, 272, 270, 268, 266, 262 (various census years)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Aubin-le-Monial
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Allier, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 43

## FAQs

**What region and department is Saint-Aubin-le-Monial located in?**

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial is located in the Allier department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France. It falls within the arrondissement of Moulins.

**What is the historical origin of Saint-Aubin-le-Monial?**

The commune was created in 1804 through the merger of two former communes: Saint-Aubin and Bessais-le-Monial. The commune system in France dates back to 1789.

**What are the known historical names of Saint-Aubin-le-Monial?**

The commune has been known by several names including Saint-Aubin (which became Saint-Aubin-le-Monial), Bessais-le-Monial (which merged with Saint-Aubin in 1804), Bessay le Libre, Le Marcat, and simply Saint-Aubin.

**What are the geographic coordinates of Saint-Aubin-le-Monial?**

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial is situated at latitude 46.5275°N and longitude 2.9977777777778°E.

**What is the administrative structure of Saint-Aubin-le-Monial?**

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial is a commune in the Allier department, which was established on March 4, 1790. It belongs to the arrondissement of Moulins and is part of the commune system that originated in 1789.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial represents a typical example of French communal organization and historical municipal consolidation. As a commune formed through the merger of smaller entities in 1804—a common occurrence during the Napoleonic period—it reflects the administrative reorganization of France following the French Revolution. The commune's existence within the Allier department places it in the historic region of Bourbonnais, an area with its own distinct cultural and historical identity within central France.

The commune's location in the arrondissement of Moulins connects it to one of the three subdivisions of the Allier department. Understanding Saint-Aubin-le-Monial provides insight into the granular administrative structure of France, where communes serve as the most fundamental territorial units of local governance. The various population figures recorded across different years demonstrate the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes, reflecting broader socioeconomic trends in central France.

## Notable For

- Formation through the 1804 merger of Saint-Aubin and Bessais-le-Monial
- Location in the historic Bourbonnais region of central France
- Part of the Allier department, one of the original departments created during the French Revolution
- Administrative membership in the arrondissement of Moulins

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial is situated in the Allier department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France. The commune occupies coordinates 46.5275°N latitude and 2.9977777777778°E longitude. This places it in the southern portion of the Allier department, within the administrative boundaries of the arrondissement of Moulins. The terrain and landscape are characteristic of the central French countryside, which includes rolling hills, agricultural land, and forested areas typical of the Bourbonnais region.

### Administrative History

The commune system in France was established in 1789 following the French Revolution, creating the fundamental unit of local territorial organization. Saint-Aubin-le-Monial specifically was formed in 1804 through the merger of two previously separate communes: Saint-Aubin and Bessais-le-Monial. This consolidation reflects the Napoleonic administrative reforms that sought to rationalize local governance structures. The commune of Bessais-le-Monial was merged with Saint-Aubin to form the current entity, with the combined commune taking the name Saint-Aubin-le-Monial.

The Allier department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the early Revolutionary period. The department was formed from the historic province of Bourbonnais and takes its name from the Allier River that flows through it. Saint-Aubin-le-Monial has been part of this administrative structure since its creation.

### Historical Names and Aliases

Throughout its history, the commune has been known by several different names. The primary historical names include Saint-Aubin (which evolved into Saint-Aubin-le-Monial), Bessais-le-Monial (the commune that merged with Saint-Aubin in 1804), Bessay le Libre, Le Marcat, and simply Saint-Aubin. These names reflect the historical evolution of the commune and its territorial composition prior to the 1804 merger.

### Demographics

The population data for Saint-Aubin-le-Monial shows variation across multiple recorded census years: 275, 265, 269, 266, 269, 403, 295, 273, 269, 278, 294, 284, 272, 270, 268, 266, and 262. These figures represent the commune's population at different points in time, demonstrating the demographic fluctuations that characterize rural French communes. The variations reflect broader socioeconomic trends including urbanization, agricultural changes, and shifts in employment opportunities that have affected rural areas throughout France.

### Administrative Structure

Saint-Aubin-le-Monial operates as a commune, which is the smallest administrative division in France. The commune functions as a territorial collectivity with its own local government. The commune belongs to the arrondissement of Moulins, which is one of the three arrondissements in the Allier department. Above the arrondissement level, the commune is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of the former Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions.

### Connected Entities

The commune is connected to several higher-level administrative entities. France serves as the sovereign country. The Allier department (established March 4, 1790) provides departmental-level administration. The arrondissement of Moulins provides sub-departmental administrative functions. The commune of France classification (established 1789) defines the fundamental territorial unit to which Saint-Aubin-le-Monial belongs.

### Cultural and Historical Context

The commune's name, Saint-Aubin-le-Monial, indicates its religious origins, with "Saint-Aubin" referring to Saint Albinus (Saint Aubin), a common patron saint in French toponymy. The "-le-Monial" suffix distinguishes it from other communes named Saint-Aubin and may relate to local monastic or religious history. The former name Bessais-le-Monial similarly suggests religious connections, with "Monial" indicating a relationship to monastic institutions.

## 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. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. Populations légales 2018
10. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=30513)
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)