# Saint-Oulph > commune in Aube, France **Wikidata**: [Q1454357](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1454357) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Oulph) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-oulph ## Summary Saint-Oulph is a commune located in the Aube department in the Grand Est region of north-central France. It is situated in the arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Seine and is part of the canton of Méry-sur-Seine. The commune functions as a territorial subdivision of France, representing a municipal entity within the French administrative system. ## Key Facts - **Location**: Saint-Oulph is located in the Aube department (French department since March 4, 1790) - **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Seine - **Canton Membership**: Part of the canton of Méry-sur-Seine - **Country**: France (Western European country, founding member of the EU and permanent UN Security Council member) - **Commune Type**: Commune of France (French municipal territorial subdivision established in 1789) - **Geographic Coordinates**: Latitude 48.518611111111°, Longitude 3.8669444444444° - **Population History**: 254, 268, 286, 287, 293, 170, 147, 169, 173, 192, 194, 231, 299, 311, 318, 326, 320 (various census years) - **Wikipedia Sitelink Count**: 41 - **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Oulph - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aube, France ## FAQs **What region and department is Saint-Oulph located in?** Saint-Oulph is located in the Aube department, which is situated in the Grand Est region of north-central France. The department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. **What is the administrative structure of Saint-Oulph?** Saint-Oulph is a commune that belongs to the canton of Méry-sur-Seine and is part of the arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Seine. As a commune of France, it functions as the smallest territorial administrative division in France, similar to a municipality. **What are the geographic coordinates of Saint-Oulph?** Saint-Oulph is located at latitude 48.518611111111° and longitude 3.8669444444444°, placing it in the north-central part of France within the Aube department. **What is the population of Saint-Oulph?** Saint-Oulph has had varying population figures across different census years: 254, 268, 286, 287, 293, 170, 147, 169, 173, 192, 194, 231, 299, 311, 318, 326, and 320 residents at different points in time. **What type of entity is Saint-Oulph in the French administrative system?** Saint-Oulph is classified as a commune of France, which is a territorial subdivision for municipalities. The commune system in France was established in 1789 following the French Revolution, and it represents the lowest level of administrative organization in the country. ## Why It Matters Saint-Oulph represents a fundamental unit of French local government and democratic organization. As one of the approximately 34,970 communes in France, it embodies the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes the French Republic. Communes like Saint-Oulph serve as the primary level of contact between citizens and local government, managing local services, urban planning, civil registration, and community affairs. The commune's location within the Aube department places it in a region with historical significance, as the department was created during the foundational period of modern French administration in 1790. The canton system, to which Saint-Oulph belongs through Méry-sur-Seine, provides an intermediate level of administrative organization for electoral and coordination purposes. Understanding Saint-Oulph matters because it represents the grassroots level of French governance—a system that has been replicated and influenced administrative structures worldwide. The French commune system demonstrates how a highly centralized state can nonetheless delegate significant administrative responsibilities to local municipal authorities, balancing national cohesion with local autonomy. ## Notable For - **Administrative Longevity**: Part of the French departmental system established in 1790, representing over two centuries of continuous administrative organization - **Local Governance**: Functions as a direct democratic unit where local citizens participate in municipal affairs through elected officials - **Regional Identity**: Located in the Grand Est region, one of France's 18 administrative regions, representing the northeastern portion of the country ## Body ### Geography and Location Saint-Oulph is situated in the Aube department, which is located in the Grand Est region of north-central France. The department is part of the historical Champagne region and is characterized by a mix of agricultural plains and forested areas. The commune's precise location is defined by coordinates of latitude 48.518611111111° and longitude 3.8669444444444°, positioning it in the eastern portion of the Paris Basin. The Aube department borders several other French departments, including Seine-et-Marne to the west, Yonne to the south, Haute-Marne to the southeast, and Marne to the northeast. The department's capital, Troyes, is located to the southeast of Saint-Oulph and serves as the main urban center for the surrounding rural communes. ### Administrative Structure Saint-Oulph operates as a commune, which is the fundamental territorial division in France. The French commune system dates back to 1789, when the revolutionary government abolished the previous feudal administrative divisions and established municipalities as the basic units of local government. Today, France contains approximately 34,970 communes, making it one of the most decentralized administrative systems in Europe in terms of the number of local government units. Within the hierarchical French administrative system, Saint-Oulph belongs to several nested administrative divisions: - **Canton of Méry-sur-Seine**: An electoral district that serves as an intermediate administrative unit for various coordination purposes - **Arrondissement of Nogent-sur-Seine**: A sub-departmental administrative division that groups communes for administrative coordination and state representation - **Aube Department**: One of France's 96 metropolitan departments, established on March 4, 1790 - **Grand Est Region**: One of France's 18 administrative regions, created in 2016 through the merger of Champagne-Ardenne, Alsace, and Lorraine - **French Republic**: The national level, governed as a unitary semi-presidential republic ### Historical Context The Aube department was created on March 4, 1790, during the early stages of the French Revolution as part of the new administrative organization of France. This reorganization replaced the old provinces of the Kingdom of France with a rational system of departments, districts, and communes designed to eliminate regional privileges and create uniform administration throughout the territory. Saint-Oulph, as a commune established in 1789, shares in this revolutionary heritage. The commune system was designed to bring government closer to the people and to eliminate the feudal privileges of lords and the church. Each commune was given a mayor and municipal council elected by local citizens, creating a system of local democracy that continues to this day. ### Population and Demographics The population figures recorded for Saint-Oulph across various census years show significant variation: 254, 268, 286, 287, 293, 170, 147, 169, 173, 192, 194, 231, 299, 311, 318, and 320 residents. These figures reflect the demographic fluctuations common in rural French communes, influenced by factors including agricultural economic conditions, employment opportunities, and broader national demographic trends. The population variations demonstrate the dynamic nature of small rural communes in France, where economic shifts, employment opportunities, and quality of life factors can significantly impact local population numbers. Many rural communes in the Champagne region have experienced population decline followed by stabilization or modest growth as remote work and lower cost of living attract new residents. ### Relationship to National and International Entities Saint-Oulph exists within a nested hierarchy of administrative divisions that connect local governance to national and international structures: - **France**: The commune is part of France, a founding member of the European Union (since 1957), a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since 1945), and a member of NATO (since 1949) - **European Union**: As part of France, Saint-Oulph is subject to EU regulations and benefits from EU structural funds, common agricultural policy, and the broader single market - **International Organizations**: France's membership in international bodies affects the legal and administrative framework within which Saint-Oulph operates ### Local Governance and Services As a French commune, Saint-Oulph is governed by a mayor and municipal council who are elected by local residents. The municipal council makes decisions on local matters including urban planning, local taxes, public services, maintenance of public spaces, and civil registration (births, deaths, marriages). French communes, regardless of size, have significant administrative responsibilities including: - Civil status registration (births, marriages, deaths) - Local urban planning and building permits - Maintenance of local roads and public spaces - Management of local schools (primary education) - Collection of local taxes - Social services coordination ### Cultural and Regional Identity Saint-Oulph is located in the Champagne region, famous for its sparkling wine production and its historical significance in French history. The region was historically part of the Kingdom of France and played important roles in various historical events, including the French Revolution and both World Wars. The department of Aube specifically is known for its medieval architecture, including numerous churches and cathedrals, as well as its agricultural production of champagne grapes, cereals, and livestock. The area maintains strong connections to French culinary traditions and regional cultural practices. ### Connectivity and Infrastructure The commune's location at coordinates 48.518611111111° latitude and 3.8669444444444° longitude places it within reasonable distance of major transportation routes connecting Paris to eastern France. The nearby city of Troyes provides access to high-speed rail connections, while the broader road network connects the commune to regional centers and eventually to international destinations through France's extensive transportation infrastructure. As part of France, Saint-Oulph benefits from the country's developed infrastructure including the TGV high-speed rail network, extensive highway system, and modern telecommunications. France operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00) and observes Central European Summer Time (UTC+02:00), and uses the Euro as its currency. ### Wikipedia and Information Presence Saint-Oulph has a Wikipedia article with a sitelink count of 41, indicating moderate visibility in the Wikimedia ecosystem. The Wikidata entry describes the entity simply as a "commune in Aube, France," reflecting its fundamental classification in the French administrative system. This digital presence allows researchers, tourists, and interested parties to access basic information about the commune. ## References 1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/----0010) 2. BnF authorities 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](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419) 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c) 24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)