# Saint-Martin-le-Vieil

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q193179](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q193179)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Martin-le-Vieil)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-martin-le-vieil

## Summary
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil is a commune located in the Aude department of France, within the canton of Alzonne and the arrondissement of Carcassonne. It is a small rural municipality with a population fluctuating around 200–230 residents, situated near the historic Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, founded in 1149.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Aude department, Occitanie region, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the canton of Alzonne and the arrondissement of Carcassonne.
- **Population**: Varied between 168 and 237 residents in recent years (e.g., 235 in 2023, 228 in 2022).
- **Coordinates**: 43.2947°N, 2.1447°E.
- **Nearby Landmark**: Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, a 12th-century abbey (founded 1149).
- **Website**: [http://www.saintmartinlevieil.fr](http://www.saintmartinlevieil.fr).
- **Type**: Commune (smallest administrative division in France, established post-1789).
- **Sitelink Count**: 41 (Wikidata references).

## FAQs
**Where is Saint-Martin-le-Vieil located?**
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil is a commune in the Aude department of southern France, within the canton of Alzonne and the arrondissement of Carcassonne. It lies near the historic Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, a medieval abbey founded in 1149.

**What is the population of Saint-Martin-le-Vieil?**
The population has fluctuated between approximately 168 and 237 residents in recent years, with recorded figures including 235 (2023), 228 (2022), and 211 (2021). It is a small rural municipality typical of the Aude region.

**What administrative divisions does Saint-Martin-le-Vieil belong to?**
It is part of the canton of Alzonne, the arrondissement of Carcassonne, and the Aude department in the Occitanie region of France. As a commune, it represents the smallest territorial subdivision in the French administrative system.

**What notable landmarks are near Saint-Martin-le-Vieil?**
The commune is located near the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, a Cistercian abbey founded in 1149. The abbey is a significant historical and architectural site in the Aude department.

**How can I find more information about Saint-Martin-le-Vieil?**
The commune’s official website is [http://www.saintmartinlevieil.fr](http://www.saintmartinlevieil.fr), providing local updates, administrative details, and community information.

## Why It Matters
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil exemplifies the rural fabric of southern France, representing the enduring structure of small communes that form the backbone of local governance and cultural heritage. Its proximity to the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue ties it to medieval history, offering insights into the region’s religious and architectural legacy. As part of the Aude department, it contributes to the broader Occitanie region’s identity, blending agricultural traditions with historical preservation. For researchers or visitors, it serves as a microcosm of France’s decentralized administrative system and rural life.

## Notable For
- **Historical Proximity**: Located near the 12th-century Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, a key Cistercian monument in Aude.
- **Rural Commune**: Represents the traditional French commune system, with a population under 250 residents.
- **Administrative Structure**: Part of the canton of Alzonne and arrondissement of Carcassonne, illustrating France’s layered local governance.
- **Population Fluctuations**: Demonstrates demographic trends in small French municipalities, with recorded variations between 168 and 237 inhabitants.
- **Geographic Coordinates**: Precisely mapped at 43.2947°N, 2.1447°E, aiding in regional navigation and historical site location.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil is situated in the Aude department of the Occitanie region in southern France. Its coordinates are 43.2947°N latitude and 2.1447°E longitude, placing it in a rural area characterized by the landscapes of the Languedoc region. The commune is part of the canton of Alzonne and falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Carcassonne.

### Administrative Structure
As a commune, Saint-Martin-le-Vieil is the smallest administrative division in France, a system established after the French Revolution (post-1789). It operates within the broader framework of the Aude department, which was created on March 4, 1790. The commune is governed locally, with responsibilities including land use, local infrastructure, and community services.

### Demographics
The population of Saint-Martin-le-Vieil has shown variability over recent years, reflecting trends common to rural French municipalities. Recorded figures include:
- 235 inhabitants (2023)
- 228 inhabitants (2022)
- 232 inhabitants (2021)
- 226 inhabitants (2020)
- 221 inhabitants (2019)
Historical data shows lower counts, such as 171 (2018) and 182 (2017), indicating fluctuations likely tied to migration, aging populations, or local economic factors.

### Nearby Landmarks
The commune is geographically close to the **Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue**, a Cistercian abbey founded in 1149. The abbey is a notable example of medieval monastic architecture in the Aude department and serves as a cultural and historical point of interest. Its presence underscores the region’s religious heritage and its role in the broader history of Occitanie.

### Digital Presence
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil maintains an official website at [http://www.saintmartinlevieil.fr](http://www.saintmartinlevieil.fr), which provides information on local governance, events, and administrative procedures. The website serves as a primary resource for residents and visitors seeking details about the commune’s activities and services.

### Historical Context
The commune’s existence is tied to the broader history of the Aude department and the French administrative system. The Aude department was established during the French Revolution, and communes like Saint-Martin-le-Vieil were formalized as part of the decentralization efforts to replace the pre-revolutionary parish system. The nearby abbey, founded in the 12th century, predates the commune by several centuries, illustrating the layered historical narrative of the region.

### Related Entities
- **Canton of Alzonne**: The larger administrative division to which Saint-Martin-le-Vieil belongs, grouping multiple communes for electoral and administrative purposes.
- **Arrondissement of Carcassonne**: The intermediate administrative level overseeing the canton and commune, centered in the city of Carcassonne.
- **Aude Department**: The regional administrative unit in which the commune is located, known for its medieval history, Cathar castles, and wine production.
- **Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Villelongue**: A 12th-century abbey that serves as a historical and cultural landmark near the commune.

### Significance in Regional Identity
Saint-Martin-le-Vieil contributes to the cultural and administrative tapestry of the Aude department. Its small size and rural character are typical of many communes in Occitanie, where local governance plays a crucial role in preserving heritage and managing rural development. The commune’s proximity to historical sites like the abbey enhances its relevance in regional tourism and historical studies.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
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. 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)