# Saint-Paulien

> commune in Haute-Loire, France

**Wikidata**: [Q272273](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q272273)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Paulien)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-paulien

## Summary
Saint-Paulien is a commune located in the Haute-Loire department of France. It is part of the arrondissement of Le Puy-en-Velay and is known for its historical and administrative ties to French municipal structures.

## Key Facts
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Haute-Loire, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France
- **Arrondissement**: Le Puy-en-Velay
- **Canton**: Saint-Paulien (established on 22 March 2015)
- **Type**: Commune of France
- **Population (recent)**: 2406, 2402, 2457, 2416, 2425, 1736, 1620, 1822, 1872, 1912, 2182, 2417, 2435, 2428, 2420, 2419, 2439
- **Aliases**: Vélaune, Sant Pàulhan, Ruessium
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.136388888889, Longitude 3.8127777777778
- **Official Website**: [http://saint-paulien.fr](http://saint-paulien.fr)
- **Image Source**: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
- **Image Artist**: Torsade de Pointes
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Haute-Loire, France
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Paulien
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs
**What is Saint-Paulien?**  
Saint-Paulien is a commune in the Haute-Loire department in central France. It is part of the administrative structure of French communes and belongs to the canton of Saint-Paulien and the arrondissement of Le Puy-en-Velay.

**Where is Saint-Paulien located?**  
Saint-Paulien is located in the Haute-Loire department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 45.1364° N, 3.8128° E.

**What administrative divisions is Saint-Paulien part of?**  
Saint-Paulien is part of the canton of Saint-Paulien (established in 2015), the arrondissement of Le Puy-en-Velay, and the Haute-Loire department, all within the country of France.

**What is the population of Saint-Paulien?**  
The population of Saint-Paulien has varied over time, with recent figures including 2406, 2402, 2457, 2416, 2425, and historical data showing populations as low as 1620 in earlier years.

**What are the alternative names for Saint-Paulien?**  
Saint-Paulien is also known by the names Vélaune, Sant Pàulhan, and Ruessium.

**Is there a website for Saint-Paulien?**  
Yes, the official website for the commune is [http://saint-paulien.fr](http://saint-paulien.fr).

**What is the historical significance of Saint-Paulien?**  
Saint-Paulien is part of the broader history of French municipal reorganization, particularly following the creation of the canton of Saint-Paulien in 2015, which reflects France's evolving administrative structure.

## Why It Matters
Saint-Paulien represents a localized example of France's complex and historically significant administrative framework. As a commune, it plays a role in the decentralized governance model of France, contributing to local identity, civic engagement, and regional representation. Its inclusion in the canton reorganization of 2015 highlights its relevance in modern French administrative reforms. While small in scale, it reflects the broader trends in French territorial organization and local democracy.

## Notable For
- Being part of the canton of Saint-Paulien, established in 2015 during French administrative reforms
- Its location in the historically significant Haute-Loire department
- Its inclusion in the arrondissement of Le Puy-en-Velay, a key administrative center in the region
- Having multiple recognized historical and linguistic aliases such as Vélaune and Sant Pàulhan
- Hosting a public website that provides official information to residents and visitors
- Situated within a commune system that dates back to the French Revolution (1789)
- A diverse population history, with figures ranging from 1,620 to over 2,400 residents across different census years

## Body

### Geography and Location
Saint-Paulien is situated in the Haute-Loire department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Its geographic coordinates are approximately latitude 45.136388888889 and longitude 3.8127777777778. The commune is part of the arrondissement of Le Puy-en-Velay, which serves as a key administrative subdivision in the region. Its location places it within the broader context of French rural and regional governance.

### Administrative Structure
Saint-Paulien is classified as a commune of France, a designation that has been in place since the French Revolution (1789). It belongs to the canton of Saint-Paulien, which was established on 22 March 2015 as part of France’s redistricting reforms. The commune is also part of the Haute-Loire department, which was created on 4 March 1790. These layers of administrative hierarchy—commune, canton, department, and arrondissement—reflect the structured and decentralized nature of French local governance.

### Demographics
The population of Saint-Paulien has fluctuated over time, with recent figures including 2406, 2402, 2457, 2416, and 2425. Historical data shows a range of population sizes, including as low as 1620 in earlier years. These variations reflect broader demographic trends in rural French communities, including migration and urbanization patterns. The commune’s population history is indicative of the challenges and dynamics faced by small rural communes in modern France.

### Cultural and Historical Names
Saint-Paulien is known by several alternative names, including Vélaune, Sant Pàulhan, and Ruessium. These names reflect the linguistic and historical diversity of the region, indicating influences from Occitan and other regional languages historically spoken in the area. The use of such names underscores the cultural heritage embedded in the commune’s identity.

### Official Presence and Media
The commune maintains an official website at [http://saint-paulien.fr](http://saint-paulien.fr), which serves as a central hub for civic information and local governance. The site provides resources for residents and visitors alike. Additionally, Saint-Paulien is visually represented through imagery available on Wikimedia Commons, including a photograph titled "Saint-Paulien La Rochelambert4.JPG" by Torsade de Pointes, which is in the public domain.

### Related Entities and Context
Saint-Paulien is directly connected to several larger administrative entities:
- **France**: The country in which it is located.
- **Haute-Loire**: The department to which it belongs, established in 1790.
- **Arrondissement of Le Puy-en-Velay**: The administrative district overseeing the commune.
- **Canton of Saint-Paulien**: A more recent administrative unit, created in 2015.
These relationships situate Saint-Paulien within the broader framework of French territorial organization, linking it to both historical and contemporary governance structures.

### Notable Dates and Classifications
- **1789**: The year the commune system was established in France.
- **1790**: The Haute-Loire department was created.
- **2015**: The canton of Saint-Paulien was established.
- **Present Day**: Saint-Paulien remains an active commune with a functioning local government and civic infrastructure.

### Image and Representation
Saint-Paulien is visually documented through public domain imagery hosted on Wikimedia Commons. The image "Saint-Paulien La Rochelambert4.JPG" by Torsade de Pointes provides a visual reference to the commune. This image is freely available and used to represent the locale in various digital contexts.

### Conclusion
Saint-Paulien, while small in scale, is emblematic of the broader French administrative model. Its layered affiliations with the canton, arrondissement, department, and national structures illustrate the complexity and historical depth of French local governance. Its evolving population and cultural identity further highlight its role in the ongoing narrative of rural France.

## 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
18. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=34012)
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)