# Saint-Claude

> commune in Jura, France

**Wikidata**: [Q212444](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212444)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Claude,_Jura)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-claude

## Summary

Saint-Claude is a commune in the Jura department of eastern France, situated in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. It serves as the administrative center of the arrondissement of Saint-Claude and is notable for its historical significance as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Claude, established in 1742, and for housing the Saint-Claude Cathedral. The town, located at coordinates 46.387222°N 5.863333°E, has a rich history dating back to its establishment as a commune of France following the French Revolution.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Saint-Claude
- **Department**: Jura, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region
- **Country**: France
- **Arrondissement**: Saint-Claude (administrative center)
- **Canton**: Saint-Claude (since March 22, 2015)
- **Diocese**: Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Claude (founded January 1, 1742)
- **Cathedral**: Saint-Claude Cathedral (located in Jura, France)
- **Railway Station**: Saint-Claude railway station
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 46.387222222222°, Longitude 5.8633333333333°
- **Population**: Approximately 8,386 to 13,511 residents (varies by year; most recent figures around 8,386)
- **Alias**: Condat-Montagne
- **Website**: https://saint-claude.fr/
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Claude, Jura
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Jura, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 53
- **Commune Status**: Established following the French Revolution (communes created December 1789)
- **Administrative Classification**: Subdivision of France (commune of France)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative region is Saint-Claude?**
Saint-Claude is a commune, which is the smallest administrative territorial subdivision in France, similar to a municipality. It is located within the Jura department and serves as the administrative center of the arrondissement of Saint-Claude.

**What religious institutions are located in Saint-Claude?**
Saint-Claude is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Claude, which was established in 1742. The city is also home to Saint-Claude Cathedral, a significant religious landmark in the region.

**What transportation infrastructure serves Saint-Claude?**
Saint-Claude is accessible via the Saint-Claude railway station, which provides rail connectivity to other parts of France. The town is situated at coordinates 46.387222°N 5.863333°E in eastern France.

**What is the historical significance of Saint-Claude?**
Saint-Claude has historical roots dating back to the commune system established during the French Revolution in 1789. The town also gained ecclesiastical importance with the establishment of the Diocese of Saint-Claude in 1742, making it a center for Catholic religious administration in the region.

**What is the relationship between Saint-Claude and the Jura department?**
Saint-Claude is a commune within the Jura department, which is located in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France. The Jura department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Claude matters as a historical and administrative center in eastern France, serving as the seat of both the arrondissement and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Claude. Its significance stems from its dual role as a religious center—housing the cathedral and diocese since 1742—and as a municipal administrative unit within the French commune system. The town's historical establishment as a commune following the French Revolution places it within the foundational administrative structure of modern France. Additionally, Saint-Claude's location in the Jura department, a region known for its mountainous terrain and distinctive Jura mountains, contributes to its role as a local center for commerce, administration, and religious activities. The presence of the railway station ensures connectivity to broader French transportation networks, supporting its function as a regional hub.

## Notable For

- **Diocesan Seat**: Home to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Claude, established in 1742
- **Cathedral**: Houses Saint-Claude Cathedral, a significant religious landmark
- **Administrative Center**: Serves as the seat of the arrondissement of Saint-Claude
- **Historical Commune**: One of the communes established during the French Revolution (1789)
- **Rail Connectivity**: Accessible via Saint-Claude railway station
- **Regional Location**: Situated in the Jura department within the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Claude is located in the Jura department of eastern France, part of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The town sits at coordinates 46.387222222222° latitude and 5.8633333333333° longitude. The Jura department, created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, is named after the Jura mountains, a range that extends along the French-Swiss border. The region is characterized by its mountainous terrain, forests, and lakes, making it a distinctive area in eastern France.

### Administrative Structure

Saint-Claude serves as the administrative center of the arrondissement of Saint-Claude, an arrondissement of France. The town is also the seat of the canton of Saint-Claude, which was formally established on March 22, 2015, as part of French administrative reorganizations. As a commune of France, Saint-Claude is the smallest administrative territorial subdivision in the country, analogous to a municipality. The commune system in France dates back to December 1789, following the French Revolution, when communes were established as the basic units of local administration.

### Religious Institutions

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint-Claude is headquartered in Saint-Claude, with its inception dating to January 1, 1742. The diocese is part of the Catholic Church in France and encompasses religious administration for the surrounding region. Saint-Claude Cathedral, located within the town, serves as the episcopal seat of the diocese. The cathedral represents significant religious architecture and heritage for the area, drawing both faithful visitors and those interested in historical religious sites.

### Transportation

Saint-Claude is served by the Saint-Claude railway station, which provides rail connectivity to other destinations in France. The railway station connects the town to broader national transportation networks, facilitating travel and commerce. The town's coordinates place it in a strategic location within the Jura department, with connections to other communes and regional centers.

### Demographics and Population

The population of Saint-Claude has fluctuated over the years, with recorded figures ranging from approximately 8,386 to 13,511 residents. The most recent population data indicates figures around 8,386, though historical records show higher numbers in earlier census periods. The population dynamics reflect broader trends of rural-to-urban migration common in many French communes, particularly in less mountainous regions of the country.

### Historical Context

Saint-Claude's history is intertwined with the establishment of the French commune system following the Revolution of 1789. The town's name, Saint-Claude, reflects its religious heritage, named after Saint Claudius of Besançon, a 7th-century bishop who was martyred and whose cult developed in the region. The establishment of the Diocese of Saint-Claude in 1742 further cemented the town's religious significance, a status that continues to the present day.

### Local Government and Services

As a commune, Saint-Claude operates under the French municipal system, providing local services to its residents. The town maintains a municipal website (https://saint-claude.fr/) which serves as a point of contact for residents and visitors. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the Jura department and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, with administrative oversight from the prefecture of the department.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

Saint-Claude represents the cultural and administrative identity of its surrounding region in the Jura. The town's historical significance as both an ecclesiastical center and a municipal administrative unit positions it as an important location within the department. The Jura region is known for its distinctive cheese production (Comté), its nature reserves, and its outdoor recreational opportunities, with Saint-Claude serving as a gateway to these regional attractions.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
12. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=30977)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
24. [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)
25. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)