# Saint-Vulbas

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q576732](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q576732)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Vulbas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saint-vulbas

## Summary
Saint-Vulbas is a commune located in the Ain department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. It is situated near the Bugey Nuclear Power Plant and falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Belley. The entity is historically associated with the alias "Claire-Fontaine" (or "Claires-Fontaines").

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France (territorial subdivision for municipalities).
- **Location**: Ain department, France.
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the arrondissement of Belley.
- **Aliases**: Claire-Fontaine, Claires-Fontaines.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 45.833888888889, Longitude 5.2908333333333.
- **Population Data Points**: Historical and recorded figures include 370, 464, 710, 804, 870, 954, 975, 1068, 1194, 1229, 1234, 1246, 1247, 1266, 1286, and 1321.
- **Official Websites**: http://www.saint-vulbas.fr, http://www.ville-saint-vulbas.fr.
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saint-Vulbas.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Ain, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 51.
- **Parent Country**: France (Established via Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD; First French Empire in 1804).
- **Parent Department**: Ain (Inception: March 4, 1790).
- **Nearby Infrastructure**: Bugey Nuclear Power Plant (Inception: 1965; Employees: 1,703).

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status and location of Saint-Vulbas?**
Saint-Vulbas is a commune situated in the Ain department within the French Republic. It is administratively grouped under the arrondissement of Belley and serves as a municipal subdivision established in 1789.

**What are the known population figures for this commune?**
The population of Saint-Vulbas has fluctuated over recorded periods, with specific data points ranging from a low of 370 to a high of 1,321. Recent recorded figures include 1,068, 1,194, 1,286, and 1,247, reflecting demographic changes over time.

**What historical names or aliases are associated with Saint-Vulbas?**
The commune is historically known by the aliases "Claire-Fontaine" and "Claires-Fontaines." These names appear in historical records alongside its current designation as Saint-Vulbas.

**What major industrial facility is located near Saint-Vulbas?**
The Bugey Nuclear Power Plant is a significant facility located in the vicinity of the commune. This plant began operations in 1965 and employs approximately 1,703 people.

**How can one access official information about Saint-Vulbas?**
Official information and municipal services can be accessed through the commune's dedicated websites. The primary domains are http://www.saint-vulbas.fr and http://www.ville-saint-vulbas.fr.

## Why It Matters
Saint-Vulbas serves as a critical example of a French rural commune integrated into a broader national and industrial framework. Its significance is amplified by its proximity to the Bugey Nuclear Power Plant, a major energy infrastructure project that has operated since 1965 and supports over 1,700 employees. As a member of the Ain department and the arrondissement of Belley, it represents the decentralized administrative structure of France, which dates back to the departmental creation in 1790. The commune's historical aliases and specific population trends provide valuable data for demographic studies and local history research within the region.

## Notable For
- **Proximity to Nuclear Energy**: Located near the Bugey Nuclear Power Plant, a major energy producer in France.
- **Historical Nomenclature**: Known historically by the distinct aliases "Claire-Fontaine" and "Claires-Fontaines."
- **Demographic Variability**: Exhibits a wide range of recorded population figures, from 370 to 1,321, indicating significant historical shifts.
- **Administrative Precision**: A defined territorial subdivision within the arrondissement of Belley and the Ain department.
- **Digital Presence**: Maintains dual official web presences at `saint-vulbas.fr` and `ville-saint-vulbas.fr`.
- **Geographic Specificity**: Defined by precise coordinates at 45.833888888889° N, 5.2908333333333° E.

## Body

### Administrative and Geographic Classification
Saint-Vulbas is classified as a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It is located within the Ain department, a territorial entity created on March 4, 1790. Geographically, the commune falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Belley. The entity is part of the French Republic, a country with origins tracing back to the Treaty of Verdun in 843 AD and the First French Empire in 1804. The commune's specific geographic location is marked by coordinates 45.833888888889 latitude and 5.2908333333333 longitude.

### Demographics and Population History
The population of Saint-Vulbas has varied significantly across different census periods. Recorded population figures include 370, 464, 710, 804, 870, 954, 975, 1068, 1194, 1229, 1234, 1246, 1247, 1266, 1286, and 1321. These data points illustrate the demographic evolution of the commune over time. The entity is recognized in the Wikidata database with a description explicitly stating it is a "commune in Ain, France."

### Infrastructure and Regional Industry
A defining feature of the Saint-Vulbas area is its proximity to the Bugey Nuclear Power Plant. This facility, which is a "Thing" in the knowledge base, commenced operations in 1965. The power plant is a significant economic anchor for the region, employing 1,703 people. The presence of such a major industrial site distinguishes the commune from purely residential or agricultural municipalities in the Ain department.

### Digital Identity and Historical Names
The commune maintains an active digital presence through two official websites: http://www.saint-vulbas.fr and http://www.ville-saint-vulbas.fr. Historically, the entity was known by the aliases "Claire-Fontaine" and "Claires-Fontaines." These names reflect the linguistic and historical layers of the region. In the context of the World Wide Web, the entity has a Wikipedia title listed as "Saint-Vulbas" and holds a sitelink count of 51, indicating its presence across various language editions of Wikipedia.

### National Context and Relationships
As a commune in France, Saint-Vulbas is subject to the national laws and administrative structures of the French Republic. France itself is a semi-presidential republic with a capital in Paris and a population estimated at 68,605,616 as of 2025. The Ain department, of which Saint-Vulbas is a part, was established in 1790 and is one of the 101 departments in France. The arrondissement of Belley, which contains Saint-Vulbas, serves as a sub-prefecture level administrative unit. The commune's existence is tied to the broader history of France, including the establishment of West Francia in 843 and the First French Empire in 1804.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/V---0000)
2. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/V2--0200)
3. BnF authorities
4. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
5. INSEE code
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Annuaire de service-public.fr
9. MusicBrainz
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
22. GeoNames
23. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
24. [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)
25. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)