# Saint-Martin-Lys

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q203887](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q203887)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Martin-Lys)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-martin-lys

## Summary

Saint-Martin-Lys is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, situated in the historical region of South West France. It belongs to the arrondissement of Limoux and was part of the canton of Quillan until March 2015. The commune sits at coordinates 42.8272°N latitude and 2.2261°E longitude.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Aude department, South West France
- **Administrative status**: Commune in France
- **Arrondissement**: Limoux
- **Former canton**: Quillan (until March 2015)
- **Department**: Aude (inception: March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 42.827222222222°N, 2.2261111111111°E
- **Wikipedia title**: Saint-Martin-Lys
- **Wikidata description**: commune in Aude, France
- **Sitelink count**: 42
- **Commune of France inception**: 1789 (territorial subdivision for municipalities)
- **Population values recorded**: 31, 27, 28, 25, 67, 44, 40, 46, 47, 35, 24, 23 (various census years)

## FAQs

**What region is Saint-Martin-Lys located in?**

Saint-Martin-Lys is located in the Aude department, which is in the South West France region. It falls within the arrondissement of Limoux.

**What administrative changes affected Saint-Martin-Lys?**

Saint-Martin-Lys was part of the canton of Quillan until March 2015, following French administrative reorganization of cantons.

**What type of territorial division is Saint-Martin-Lys?**

Saint-Martin-Lys is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune system in France dates back to 1789.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Saint-Martin-Lys?**

The commune is situated at latitude 42.827222222222°N and longitude 2.2261111111111°E.

## Why It Matters

Saint-Martin-Lys represents the granular administrative structure of rural France. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, it serves as the fundamental unit of local governance in the French administrative system. The commune system, established in 1789 during the French Revolution, embodies the principle of decentralized local administration that characterizes the French Republic. While small in population, such communes form the backbone of French territorial organization, providing local services, maintaining civil records, and representing the closest level of government to citizens. The commune's location in Aude places it in a region known for its medieval fortress towns, Cathar history, and the scenic landscapes of the Corbières and Pyrenees foothills.

## Notable For

- Part of the historic and scenic Aude department in southern France
- Located in the Limoux arrondissement, known for the famous Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine
- Represents the traditional French commune structure dating back to 1789
- Situated in the Corbières wine-producing region

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saint-Martin-Lys is a commune situated in the southern French department of Aude, which is part of the Occitanie region in South West France. The commune is positioned at coordinates 42.827222222222°N latitude and 2.2261111111111°E longitude. This location places it in the eastern part of the Aude department, within the mountainous terrain characteristic of the region where the Corbières hills meet the Pyrenean foothills.

### Administrative History

The commune operates within the French administrative system as a territorial subdivision. It belongs to the arrondissement of Limoux, one of the administrative divisions within the Aude department. Prior to March 2015, Saint-Martin-Lys was part of the canton of Quillan, which underwent reorganization as part of France's ongoing administrative decentralization process. The department of Aude itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the early days of the French Revolution as part of the establishment of the current departmental system.

### Relationship to Higher Administrative Entities

Saint-Martin-Lys is hierarchically organized within the French territorial structure. It is part of the commune of France, which represents the lowest level of administrative division in the country, established in 1789. The commune belongs to the Aude department, which itself is one of the 96 metropolitan departments of mainland France. Aude is located in the South West of France and is part of the larger Occitanie region. At the national level, France is a country in Western Europe with overseas territories across multiple continents, operating as a semi-presidential republic and a founding member of the European Union.

### Demographic Context

The population data recorded for Saint-Martin-Lys shows fluctuations between 23 and 67 residents across various census years, with values including 31, 27, 28, 25, 67, 44, 40, 46, 47, 35, 24, and 23. These figures indicate a small rural commune typical of the mountainous and semi-rural areas of the Aude department, where many small communes have experienced population decline in recent decades due to urbanization and rural flight.

### Cultural and Regional Context

The commune is situated in an area rich with historical and cultural significance. The Aude department is known for its medieval heritage, including the fortified Cathar sites and the historic city of Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region produces several notable wines, particularly within the Corbières appellation, and is home to the town of Limoux, famous for producing Blanquette de Limoux, considered one of the world's oldest sparkling wines. The local geography features rugged terrain, vineyards, and the Aude River valley, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Saint-Martin-Lys operates under the municipal government system, with a mayor and municipal council responsible for local affairs. The commune serves as the basic unit of local administration, handling civil registration, local planning, and community services. This decentralized structure reflects France's commitment to local governance while maintaining national coherence through the departmental and regional administrative layers.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/Y1--0200)
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. OpenStreetMap
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)