# Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei

> commune in Orne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q815920](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q815920)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-c-neri-le-g-rei

## Summary

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a commune located in the Orne department of Normandy, France, situated in the arrondissement of Alençon. Recognized for its picturesque character, it is a member of "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" association, which promotes exceptional rural heritage. The village sits at coordinates 48.38°N latitude and -0.0528°E longitude, embodying the classic charm of Normandy's countryside.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
- **Alternative Names**: L'Isle-sur-Sarthe, Saint-Céneri
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Normandy
- **Department**: Orne (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Alençon
- **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789)
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.38°N, Longitude -0.052777777777778°E
- **Website**: https://www.saintceneri.org/
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Orne, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Membership**: The Most Beautiful Villages of France (association inception: March 6, 1982)
- **Population Data**: 120, 121, 128, 120, 117, 115, 112, 111, 112, 110 (across recorded periods)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei?**

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It is part of the Orne department in the Normandy region, specifically within the arrondissement of Alençon.

**What is The Most Beautiful Villages of France association?**

The Most Beautiful Villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) is an independent French association founded on March 6, 1982, that recognizes and promotes villages of exceptional heritage and character. Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a member of this prestigious association, which currently includes over 170 villages across France.

**Where exactly is Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei located?**

The commune is located at coordinates 48.38°N latitude and -0.052777777777778°E longitude, placing it in the Normandy region of northwestern France, within the Orne department.

**What is the population of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei?**

Based on the available data, the population of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei has fluctuated between 110 and 128 residents across recorded periods, indicating a small rural community typical of Normandy's countryside villages.

**What is the historical context of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei's administrative region?**

The Orne department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, as part of the reorganization of France into departments. The commune system itself dates to 1789, when municipalities were formally established as territorial subdivisions.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei matters as an embodiment of rural French heritage and the preservation of traditional Normandy character. Its membership in The Most Beautiful Villages of France association signifies its commitment to maintaining architectural integrity, natural beauty, and cultural authenticity. This recognition not only preserves the village's historical character but also supports sustainable tourism that benefits small rural communities in Normandy. The commune represents the broader French effort to protect and celebrate rural heritage against modernization pressures, serving as a model for heritage conservation in Europe. For visitors and researchers, Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei offers insight into the traditional Norman commune structure and the quality of life in France's countryside departments.

## Notable For

- Membership in The Most Beautiful Villages of France association
- Location in the historic Normandy region
- Part of the arrondissement of Alençon in Orne department
- Official website presence for a commune of its small size
- Coordinates placing it in the traditional Sarthe river valley area of Normandy

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is situated in the Normandy region of northwestern France, specifically within the Orne department. The commune's precise location is defined by coordinates 48.38°N latitude and -0.052777777777778°E longitude. This positioning places the village in the western part of the Orne department, within the territory historically associated with the Sarthe river valley. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Alençon, one of the administrative divisions responsible for local governance and territorial organization in the Normandy region.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei represents the fundamental unit of territorial organization in the French administrative system. The commune system was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous feudal administrative structures. Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei falls under the jurisdiction of the Orne department, which was created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary government's effort to create uniform administrative divisions across France. The department is named after the Orne River that flows through the region. At the sub-departmental level, the commune participates in the arrondissement of Alençon, which serves as an administrative circumscription for various state services and coordination purposes.

### Heritage Recognition

The commune's membership in The Most Beautiful Villages of France association represents its most notable distinction. This independent association was founded on March 6, 1982, with the mission of promoting and protecting villages of exceptional heritage value. The organization maintains strict criteria for membership, including architectural heritage, environmental quality, and preservation of traditional character. Villages that receive this designation benefit from increased visibility and tourism, while committing to maintaining their historical integrity. Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei's inclusion in this association places it among approximately 170 villages across France that have achieved recognition for their outstanding preservation of rural heritage.

### Demographics and Community

The population data for Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei reflects the characteristics of a small rural French commune. The recorded population figures of 110 to 128 residents across various periods demonstrate the stability typical of Normandy's smaller villages. This population size is consistent with the commune's classification as a rural municipality, where agricultural activity and traditional village life remain central to community identity. The population fluctuations observed in the data likely reflect natural demographic changes and migration patterns common in rural France.

### Regional Context

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei exists within the broader context of Normandy, a region renowned for its rich historical heritage, agricultural production, and distinctive cultural identity. The Orne department, where the commune is located, encompasses diverse landscapes ranging from forested areas to agricultural plains. The department's capital, Alençon, serves as the administrative center for the arrondissement that includes Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei. The region's economy has historically been based on agriculture, particularly dairy farming and livestock production, which continues to shape the landscape and community character of areas like Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei.

### Digital Presence

The commune maintains an official website at https://www.saintceneri.org/, demonstrating modern administrative practices even in small rural communities. This digital presence serves residents and visitors by providing information about local services, community events, and practical guidance for those wishing to visit or learn about the area. The website represents the commune's adaptation to contemporary communication methods while maintaining its traditional character.

### Historical Administrative Evolution

The administrative framework to which Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei belongs has evolved significantly over time. The commune system, established in 1789, created the foundational unit of French local government. The department system, implemented in 1790, reorganized France into approximately 83 departments, with Orne being one of the original departments created during this period. This administrative structure has remained largely stable, with departments serving as the primary level of territorial organization between the commune and the regional level. The arrondissement system provides an additional layer of administrative coordination, with Alençon serving as the administrative center for the arrondissement that includes Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei.

## References

1. [Sandre](http://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/M---0060)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
10. Populations légales 2016
11. Populations légales 2017
12. Populations légales 2018
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=30827)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)