# Saint-Lions

> commune in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1016842](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1016842)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Lions)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-lions

## Summary

Saint-Lions is a commune located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department in the southeastern region of France, situated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur administrative region. This small rural municipality sits at coordinates 43.985°N latitude and 6.399722°E longitude, representing one of the numerous communes that form the administrative fabric of France.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France
- **Coordinates**: 43.985°N, 6.399722°E
- **Administrative status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities)
- **Inception as commune**: 1789 (established during the French Revolution)
- **Department inception**: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence established March 4, 1790
- **Canton**: Barrême
- **Arrondissements**: Castellane and Digne-les-Bains
- **Country**: France (Western European country with overseas territories)
- **Aliases**: Lyon-d'Asse, Sant Lionç
- **Wikipedia title**: Saint-Lions
- **Sitelink count**: 43
- **Population history**: 44, 51, 53, 49, 45, 23, 20, 28, 50, 32, 43, 33, 41, 40, 39, 38, 38 (presumably over consecutive years)

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Saint-Lions?**

Saint-Lions is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. Communes serve as the lowest level of administrative organization in the French system, similar to municipalities in other countries. Each commune has its own mayor and municipal council.

**Which department and region is Saint-Lions located in?**

Saint-Lions is located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which is situated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. The department was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What arrondissements does Saint-Lions belong to?**

Saint-Lions falls under two arrondissements for administrative purposes: Castellane and Digne-les-Bains. These arrondissements serve as intermediate administrative divisions between the department and the communes.

**What is the canton affiliation of Saint-Lions?**

Saint-Lions is part of the canton of Barrême, which serves as an electoral district for various local and departmental elections in the French administrative system.

**What are the alternative names for Saint-Lions?**

Saint-Lions is known by two alternative names: Lyon-d'Asse and Sant Lionç (in Occitan). These names reflect the local linguistic heritage and historical variations in the commune's designation.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Lions matters as part of the extensive network of French communes that form the foundational administrative structure of France. While small in population, communes like Saint-Lions represent the democratic and administrative organization that has governed France since the Revolution of 1789. The commune system ensures local governance, maintains civil records, and provides essential public services to residents across the entire territory of France, from major cities to rural mountain villages.

The presence of Saint-Lions in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department places it within one of France's most picturesque and environmentally significant regions. The department is known for its mountainous terrain, lavender fields, and preserved medieval villages, making it a destination for tourism and a repository of French cultural heritage. As a commune, Saint-Lions participates in the broader administrative system that allows France to function as a unitary state while maintaining local representation and autonomy.

## Notable For

- **Historical administrative status**: One of the oldest administrative divisions in France, with the commune system dating back to 1789
- **Departmental heritage**: Part of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, a department established during the foundational period of the French Revolution
- **Geographic positioning**: Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, one of France's most renowned regions for natural beauty and cultural significance
- **Dual arrondissement affiliation**: Connected to both Castellane and Digne-les-Bains arrondissements, reflecting its administrative integration

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Lions is situated in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, which occupies the southeastern portion of France adjacent to the Italian border. The commune's precise location is defined by coordinates 43.985°N latitude and 6.399722°E longitude, placing it in the mountainous interior of the department rather than along the Mediterranean coast. This positioning places Saint-Lions within the southern French Alps region, characterized by rugged terrain, deep valleys, and a continental-influenced climate.

The commune's location within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region places it in one of France's most geographically diverse areas. The region encompasses everything from Mediterranean coastal zones to high Alpine peaks, and Saint-Lions contributes to the rural, mountainous character of the department's interior.

### Administrative Structure

Saint-Lions operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial collectivity in France. The French commune system traces its origins to the Revolution of 1789, when the old system of provinces and parishes was replaced by a uniform administrative structure. Saint-Lions, as a commune established in 1789, has been part of this system since its inception.

The commune is organized within a hierarchical administrative structure. At the canton level, Saint-Lions belongs to the canton of Barrême, which serves as an electoral district for departmental council elections. At the arrondissement level, the commune is affiliated with both Castellane and Digne-les-Bains, two administrative divisions that coordinate state services and represent intermediate governmental functions between the commune and the department.

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, within which Saint-Lions is located, was created on March 4, 1790. This department is part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, one of eighteen administrative regions in metropolitan France.

### Historical Context

The establishment of Saint-Lions as a commune corresponds to the revolutionary transformation of French administrative organization. The year 1789 marked the end of the ancient regime and the beginning of a new system of territorial administration based on principles of equality and uniformity. Communes replaced the previous system of parishes and municipalities, creating a network of local administrations that report to the national government while maintaining local autonomy in certain matters.

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department itself has a rich history, having been formed during the early Revolutionary period. The department was created from the former province of Provence, with modifications to its boundaries occurring over the subsequent centuries.

### Population and Demographics

While specific population figures for Saint-Lions are limited in the provided source material, the population data series (44, 51, 53, 49, 45, 23, 20, 28, 50, 32, 43, 33, 41, 40, 39, 38, 38) suggests a small commune with fluctuating population levels over time. This pattern is consistent with many rural communes in mountainous regions of France, where population has historically been subject to migration patterns favoring urban areas.

The relatively small population size is typical of communes in the interior of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, where the rugged terrain and limited economic opportunities have historically led to population decline in smaller settlements while larger towns in more accessible locations have grown.

### Cultural and Linguistic Heritage

Saint-Lions carries the alternative name "Sant Lionç" in Occitan, reflecting the linguistic heritage of the region. Occitan is a Romance language spoken in southern France, particularly in Provence, and the use of Occitan place names indicates the historical presence of this linguistic tradition in the area. The commune's French name "Saint-Lions" and its Occitan variant both contribute to the rich tapestry of French regional identities and linguistic diversity.

### Relationship to French Administrative System

As a commune of France, Saint-Lions participates in the distinctive French system of territorial administration. France is organized as a unitary state, meaning that while communes have significant autonomy in certain areas, they ultimately operate within a framework set by national legislation. The commune serves multiple functions: it is a territorial collectivity, an administrative unit for state services, and a municipality with its own elected officials.

Saint-Lions is connected to the broader French administrative structure through several levels: the commune itself, the canton of Barrême, the arrondissements of Castellane and Digne-les-Bains, the department of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, and the national government in Paris. This hierarchical structure allows for both local representation and coordination of services across larger areas.

### Connection to National Context

France, within which Saint-Lions is located, is a country of significant global importance. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a founding member of the European Union, France plays a central role in international affairs. The country operates as a semi-presidential republic with a population of approximately 68.6 million people (as of 2025) across its metropolitan and overseas territories.

The French administrative system, of which Saint-Lions is a part, reflects the country's organization as a unitary state with decentralized administration. While the national government maintains significant authority, local and regional entities like communes, departments, and regions exercise considerable autonomy in matters affecting their territories.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. [Source](https://archives04.fr/fichier/110779/2607)
4. répertoire géographique des communes
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
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. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=32985)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)