# Saint-Clair

> commune in Ardèche, France

**Wikidata**: [Q865748](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q865748)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Clair,_Ardèche)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-clair-q865748-2

## Summary

Saint-Clair is a commune located in the Ardèche department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of southern-central France. It sits in the southeastern part of France, approximately 65 kilometers south of Lyon, and is part of the canton of Annonay-Nord within the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône. The commune has a historical population that has varied significantly over time, with recorded figures ranging from 281 to 1,348 inhabitants across different census periods.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Saint-Clair, Ardèche
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- **Department**: Ardèche (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Canton**: Annonay-Nord
- **Arrondissement**: Tournon-sur-Rhône
- **Commune Type**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision, inception: 1789)
- **Alias**: Clair-Chalon
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.278333333333°, Longitude 4.6805555555556°
- **Official Website**: http://www.saint-clair.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Clair, Ardèche
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ardèche, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41
- **Historical Population Figures**: 281, 425, 641, 742, 918, 999, 1,068, 1,071, 1,076, 1,138, 1,141, 1,187, 1,225, 1,236, 1,292, 1,348

## FAQs

**What region and department is Saint-Clair located in?**

Saint-Clair is situated in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of south-central France, specifically within the Ardèche department. The commune belongs to the canton of Annonay-Nord and is part of the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône.

**What is the administrative structure of Saint-Clair in France?**

As a French commune, Saint-Clair operates as the lowest-level territorial subdivision in France. It is part of the Ardèche department, which was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône and the canton of Annonay-Nord.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Saint-Clair?**

Saint-Clair is located at latitude 45.278333333333° and longitude 4.6805555555556°, positioning it in the southeastern region of France, approximately 65 kilometers south of the city of Lyon.

**How has the population of Saint-Clair changed over time?**

The population data shows significant variation across historical census periods, with recorded figures including 281, 425, 641, 742, 918, 999, 1,068, 1,071, 1,076, 1,138, 1,141, 1,187, 1,225, 1,236, 1,292, and 1,348 inhabitants, indicating demographic fluctuations over the commune's history.

**What is the official website for Saint-Clair?**

The official municipal website for Saint-Clair is http://www.saint-clair.fr, providing information about local governance and community matters.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Clair represents a traditional French rural commune that embodies the historical administrative structure of France. As part of the Ardèche department, it contributes to the broader cultural and administrative identity of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, one of France's 18 administrative regions. The commune's existence within the French territorial system reflects the decentralized administrative organization that characterizes the French Republic, where communes serve as fundamental units of local governance. The variation in population figures over time reflects broader demographic shifts affecting rural France, including urbanization trends and changes in agricultural employment that have impacted many small communes across the country since the 19th century.

## Notable For

- Historical administrative status as a commune established during the French Revolution period
- Location within the Ardèche department, known for its rugged terrain, gorges, and outdoor recreational opportunities
- Part of the canton of Annonay-Nord, which encompasses several surrounding communities
- Official municipal website presence (http://www.saint-clair.fr)
- Inclusion in French territorial databases with dedicated Wikipedia and Wikidata entries

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Clair is a commune situated in the Ardèche department, which is located in the southeastern part of France within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The geographical coordinates of 45.278333333333° latitude and 4.6805555555556° longitude place the commune in a predominantly rural area characterized by hills and valleys typical of the Ardèche plateau region. The commune's location within the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône places it in the northern portion of the Ardèche department, relatively close to the major urban center of Lyon to the north. The terrain in this area generally consists of agricultural land and forested sections, reflecting the rural character of the commune.

### Administrative History and Structure

Saint-Clair operates as a commune of France, which represents the fundamental territorial subdivision in the French administrative system. The commune as an administrative unit was established following the French Revolution, with the formal inception date recorded as 1789. The Ardèche department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of French territory that followed the Revolution. Saint-Clair is currently part of the canton of Annonay-Nord, which serves as an electoral district for various administrative and electoral purposes. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône, which is one of the arrondissements within the Ardèche department.

### Demographics and Population

The population data for Saint-Clair reveals significant demographic variation across different historical periods. The recorded population figures span a considerable range, from a low of 281 inhabitants to a high of 1,348 inhabitants. This variation suggests that the commune has experienced periods of growth and decline, likely corresponding to broader economic and social changes affecting rural areas in France. The population fluctuations may reflect factors such as agricultural economic conditions, employment opportunities, and broader urbanization trends that have characterized French rural communities over the past two centuries. The specific population figures recorded include: 281, 425, 641, 742, 918, 999, 1,068, 1,071, 1,076, 1,138, 1,141, 1,187, 1,225, 1,236, 1,292, and 1,348.

### Local Identity and Information

The commune maintains a local identity reflected in its official presence on digital platforms. The official website at http://www.saint-clair.fr serves as a point of contact for municipal information and community resources. The commune is also recognized in broader knowledge databases, with a dedicated Wikipedia article titled "Saint-Clair, Ardèche" and a Wikidata entry describing it as a commune in Ardèche, France. The sitelink count of 41 indicates moderate visibility within the Wikimedia ecosystem. The commune is also known by the alternative name "Clair-Chalon," which may reflect historical naming conventions or local usage.

### Regional Context

Saint-Clair exists within the broader context of the Ardèche department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This region, one of 18 in metropolitan France, encompasses diverse landscapes ranging from the Alpine mountains to volcanic plateaus. Ardèche specifically is known for its natural attractions, including the Ardèche River Gorge, prehistoric caves, and distinctive limestone formations. The department's capital is Privas, though many residents access services and employment in larger nearby cities. The canton of Annonay-Nord, to which Saint-Clair belongs, includes several neighboring communes that share similar demographic and economic characteristics. The arrondissement of Tournon-sur-Rhône serves as an administrative grouping that facilitates regional governance and coordination among its member communes.

## 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=30962)
18. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)