# Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres > commune in Aube, France **Wikidata**: [Q1362764](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1362764) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-parres-aux-tertres ## Summary Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres is a commune located in the Aube department in the Grand Est region of north-central France, situated approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Troyes. As a commune of France—the smallest administrative division in the country—the municipality serves as a local governance unit within the arrondissement of Troyes, representing a typical rural commune in the French departmental system established during the French Revolution. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres - **Common Alias**: Saint-Parres - **Administrative Status**: Commune (municipality) in the French Republic - **Department**: Aube (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Troyes - **Country**: France - **Region**: Grand Est (north-central France) - **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.299722222222°, Longitude 4.1177777777778° - **Website**: http://www.saintparresauxtertres.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aube, France - **Sitelink Count**: 43 - **Administrative Classification**: Commune of France (type of territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789) - **Population Range**: Historically recorded between 1,808 and 3,223 inhabitants across various census periods ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres?** Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres is a commune, which is the lowest-level administrative division in France, similar to a municipality or township. Communes are the equivalent of parishes in England or townships in the United States, serving as the fundamental unit of local governance in the French territorial organization system. **Where is Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres located geographically?** The commune is situated in the Aube department within the Grand Est region of north-central France, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of the city of Troyes. Its precise coordinates are 48.299722222222°N latitude and 4.1177777777778°E longitude, placing it in theChampagne-Ardenne area historically, now part of the larger Grand Est administrative region. **What is the administrative hierarchy of Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres?** Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres fits into the French administrative hierarchy as follows: France (nation) → Grand Est (region) → Aube (department) → Arrondissement of Troyes → Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres (commune). The commune is governed locally and represents the most granular level of French territorial administration. **What is the historical significance of the Aube department?** The Aube department was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution as part of the initial division of France into departments. It was named after the Aube River that flows through the region. The department is part of the Champagne-Ardenne historical region and has maintained its administrative identity through various regional reorganizations, including the 2016 creation of the Grand Est region. **How many people live in Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres?** Population figures for Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres have varied across census periods, with recorded populations including 1,808; 2,088; 2,402; 2,411; 2,615; 2,797; 2,910; 3,068; 3,106; 3,171; 3,126; 3,136; 3,167; 3,179; 3,201; 3,214; and 3,223 inhabitants. These figures indicate a municipality that has experienced population growth over time, typical of communes in the Troyes metropolitan area. ## Why It Matters Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres represents the foundational unit of French local governance, a system that has remained remarkably consistent since its establishment during the French Revolution in 1789. As one of France's approximately 35,000 communes, this municipality embodies the French principle of decentralized administration, where local matters are managed at the commune level while remaining under the broader framework of departmental and regional governance. The commune's location in the Aube department places it within a region of significant historical importance. The Champagne-Ardenne area, now part of Grand Est, has been central to French history since medieval times, known for its champagne production, Gothic architecture, and strategic position between Paris and eastern France. The department's creation in 1790 reflected the revolutionary commitment to rational, uniform administration replacing the complex feudal territorial divisions that preceded it. For residents and local stakeholders, Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres provides essential municipal services, local planning, and community organization. The commune's proximity to Troyes—the prefecture of the Aube department—offers residents access to departmental administrative services while maintaining the benefits of smaller community living. This balance between accessibility to urban centers and preservation of rural character defines the quality of life in such communes throughout France. The commune system also matters because it ensures democratic representation at the most local level. Each commune, regardless of size, has its own mayor and municipal council, providing citizens with direct access to governance. This granular administrative structure allows for tailored local policies and maintains community identity, which is particularly important in a country as diverse as France. ## Notable For - **Proximity to Troyes**: Located approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Troyes, the prefecture and largest city of the Aube department, providing easy access to urban amenities while maintaining rural character. - **Departmental Heritage**: Situated in Aube, a department created during the French Revolution in 1790, maintaining administrative continuity for over two centuries. - **Commune System Participation**: Part of the French commune system, the oldest and most numerous level of local government in France, with origins dating to 1789. - **Grand Est Region Location**: Located in the Grand Est region, formed in 2016 from the merger of Champagne-Ardenne, Alsace, and Lorraine, creating one of France's largest administrative regions. - **Local Web Presence**: Maintains an official municipal website at http://www.saintparresauxtertres.fr, indicating active local governance and digital communication with residents. ## Body ### Geographic Location and Coordinates Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres is precisely positioned at latitude 48.299722222222° North and longitude 4.1177777777778° East. This places the commune in the north-central part of France, within the Champagne-Ardenne plateau region. The geographic positioning situates the municipality in a predominantly agricultural area characterized by rolling plains and farmland, typical of the Aube department's landscape. The commune's location approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Troyes places it within the functional area of the departmental capital, allowing residents to benefit from urban services while residing in a more rural setting. ### Administrative Structure and Hierarchy Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres operates as a commune, which represents the lowest and most fundamental level of administrative division in France. The commune as an administrative category was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and lordships. Each commune has its own municipal government, headed by a mayor and municipal council, providing direct local governance to residents. The commune falls under the arrondissement of Troyes, which serves as an administrative subdivision between the department and the commune level. The arrondissement of Troyes coordinates various state services and administrative functions for the surrounding communes, including the arrangement of certain governmental services and territorial planning. At the departmental level, Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres is part of the Aube department, which was officially created on March 4, 1790, during the initial division of France into departments. The department is named after the Aube River, which flows through the region. Aube is one of France's 101 metropolitan departments and is part of the Grand Est region, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of the former Champagne-Ardenne, Alsace, and Lorraine regions. ### Historical Context and Development The commune system in France, to which Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres belongs, was established in 1789 as part of the revolutionary government's effort to create a uniform, rational administrative structure. Before the Revolution, France was divided into provinces, bishoprics, and various feudal territories, each with different laws, taxes, and administrative practices. The new revolutionary government sought to replace this complex system with standardized departments, arrondissements, and communes, all governed by elected representatives. The Aube department was created in 1790 from parts of the former province of Champagne. The department's creation followed the revolutionary principle of dividing the territory into roughly equal units based on geography, not historical boundaries. This rational approach to administration has largely endured, though regional reorganizations in 2016 merged smaller regions into larger administrative units. ### Population and Demographics The population data for Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres reveals a municipality that has experienced various population changes over time. Historical census figures show populations ranging from 1,808 inhabitants in earlier periods to 3,223 in more recent counts, with other recorded figures including 2,088; 2,402; 2,411; 2,615; 2,797; 2,910; 3,068; 3,106; 3,171; 3,126; 3,136; 3,167; 3,179; 3,201; and 3,214 inhabitants. These population figures indicate a medium-sized commune by French standards, where communes can range from small rural villages of fewer than 100 inhabitants to large cities with hundreds of thousands of residents. The population trends suggest growth phases interspersed with periods of stability or decline, common among communes in semi-rural areas near larger urban centers. The proximity to Troyes likely influences population dynamics, as the commune may serve as a residential location for workers employed in the departmental capital. ### Relationship to Troyes and the Surrounding Area Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres's location approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Troyes places it within the Troyes metropolitan area. Troyes, as the prefecture (administrative capital) of the Aube department, serves as the main center for government services, healthcare, education, and economic activity in the region. The city's historical center features well-preserved medieval and Renaissance architecture, and Troyes has historically been known for its textile industry and as a center for Champagne wine production in the surrounding region. The commune's relationship with Troyes exemplifies the urban-rural dynamic common in French departmental organization. Residents of Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres can access Troyes's amenities, employment opportunities, and services while living in a smaller community with potentially lower housing costs and a more rural environment. This arrangement is typical of communes in the outer rings of French urban areas, where smaller municipalities serve as residential suburbs while larger cities provide employment and services. ### Local Governance and Municipal Services As a commune, Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres is governed by a municipal council elected by residents, with a mayor serving as the chief executive. The municipal government is responsible for local services including urban planning, local roads, municipal buildings, civil status (births, marriages, deaths), local taxes, and community facilities. The commune maintains an official website at http://www.saintparresauxtertres.fr, demonstrating active communication with residents and transparency in local governance. The mayor and municipal council make decisions on local matters such as zoning, local budgets, municipal property, and community events. This system of local self-governance within the broader national framework is a hallmark of French administrative philosophy, balancing local autonomy with national standards and coordination. ### Departmental and Regional Context The Aube department, in which Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres is located, covers an area of approximately 6,004 square kilometers in north-central France. The department is characterized by agricultural land, particularly grain farming, and is part of the broader Champagne region known for its wine production. The department's population is concentrated primarily in Troyes and surrounding communes, with a generally rural character beyond the urban center. The Grand Est region, created in 2016, encompasses the former Champagne-Ardenne, Alsace, and Lorraine regions, making it one of France's largest regions both in area and population. This regional reorganization was intended to create more efficient administrative units better suited to economic development and European cooperation, given Grand Est's position bordering Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. ### Cultural and Community Identity As a commune with the alias "Saint-Parres," the municipality likely takes its name from a religious or historical figure, common among French communes. The suffix "aux-Tertres" suggests geographical features—possibly small hills or mounds—in the local landscape. French communes often preserve historical names reflecting medieval religious dedication, local geography, or notable historical events. The commune participates in the broader French system of local festivals, traditions, and community events that characterize communal life throughout France. While specific local traditions are not detailed in the source material, French communes typically observe national holidays and maintain local celebrations that reinforce community identity and social cohesion. ### Digital Presence and Information Access Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres maintains an official municipal website at http://www.saintparresauxtertres.fr, indicating modern municipal governance practices and commitment to transparency. This digital presence allows residents to access information about local government, services, events, and administrative procedures. The website serves as a communication tool between the municipal government and residents, reflecting contemporary practices in French local administration. The commune's Wikipedia presence, indicated by the wikipedia_title "Saint-Parres-aux-Tertres" and a sitelink count of 43, suggests that information about the municipality is accessible to a broad audience through online encyclopedic sources. This digital visibility contributes to the commune's identity and allows those researching the area to find basic information about its location, status, and characteristics. ## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)