# Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois

> commune in Essonne, France

**Wikidata**: [Q234719](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q234719)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois,_Essonne)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sainte-genevi-ve-des-bois

## Summary
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is a commune located in the department of Essonne, in the Île-de-France region of France. It is notable for its historical and cultural landmarks, including the Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery and its local sports club.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the department of Essonne, Île-de-France, France.
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.637777777778, Longitude 2.3322222222222.
- **Population Estimates**: 35,438 to 36,219 (varies by year).
- **Website**: [sgdb91.com](https://www.sgdb91.com/).
- **Aliases**: Colbert-la-Réunion, Ste-Geneviève-des-Bois.
- **Administrative Context**:
  - Part of the **arrondissement of Palaiseau** (established November 9, 1962).
  - Located in the **department of Essonne** (established January 1, 1968).
  - Previously part of **Seine-et-Oise** (1790–1968).
- **Notable Entities**:
  - **Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery** (established 1926).
  - **Sainte-Geneviève Sports** football club (established January 30, 1936).
  - **Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (Paris RER)** railway station (established 1881).
- **Canton**: Canton of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (established March 22, 2015).
- **Classification**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, Essonne.
- **Wikidata Description**: Commune in Essonne, France.
- **Sitelink Count**: 56.

## FAQs

**What is Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois?**  
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is a commune in the Essonne department of France. It is part of the Île-de-France region and is known for its cultural and historical sites, including a Russian cemetery and a local sports club.

**Where is Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois located?**  
It is located in the department of Essonne, within the arrondissement of Palaiseau. Its geographic coordinates are approximately 48.6378° N (latitude) and 2.3322° E (longitude).

**What is the population of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois?**  
The population has varied in recent years, with estimates ranging from 35,438 to 36,219.

**What are some notable landmarks or institutions in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois?**  
Key landmarks include the Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery (established in 1926), the Sainte-Geneviève Sports football club (founded in 1936), and the Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois RER station (opened in 1881).

**What administrative changes have affected Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois?**  
The commune was historically part of the Seine-et-Oise department (1790–1968) before being incorporated into the newly formed Essonne department in 1968. It is part of the canton of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois since 2015.

**What is the official website for Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois?**  
The official website is [https://www.sgdb91.com/](https://www.sgdb91.com/).

## Why It Matters
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois holds significance as a cultural and historical hub within the Île-de-France region. The commune is home to the Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery, which serves as a final resting place for many notable Russian émigrés, including intellectuals, artists, and religious figures. This makes it a site of historical importance for both French and Russian heritage. Additionally, its local institutions, such as the Sainte-Geneviève Sports club, contribute to the community's identity and civic life. Its integration into the broader administrative framework of France reflects the evolution of French local governance.

## Notable For
- Hosting the **Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery**, a historically significant burial site for Russian émigrés.
- Being the home of **Sainte-Geneviève Sports**, a football club established in 1936.
- Operating the **Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois RER station**, which has been in service since 1881.
- Being part of the **canton of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois**, reorganized in 2015.
- Situated in the **Essonne department**, which was created in 1968 from the former Seine-et-Oise department.
- Having a population that has remained stable between 35,000 and 36,000 in recent years.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is a commune in the **Essonne department**, located in the **Île-de-France region** of France. It lies within the **arrondissement of Palaiseau**, which was established on November 9, 1962. The commune's geographic coordinates are approximately **latitude 48.6378° N** and **longitude 2.3322° E**. It is part of the historical Île-de-France area and benefits from proximity to Paris via the RER network.

### Administrative Context
The commune was historically part of the **Seine-et-Oise department**, which existed from **March 4, 1790**, until its dissolution in **1968**. With the reorganization of French departments, Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois was incorporated into the newly formed **Essonne department** on **January 1, 1968**. Since **March 22, 2015**, it has been part of the **canton of Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois**, reflecting France's ongoing administrative restructuring.

### Demographics
Population estimates for Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois have ranged from **35,438 to 36,219** in recent years. This reflects a relatively stable demographic profile, with minor fluctuations possibly due to migration or administrative adjustments.

### Notable Entities and Institutions

#### Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery
- **Inception**: January 1, 1926.
- **Significance**: A cemetery dedicated to Russian émigrés, including religious, cultural, and political figures.
- **Role**: Serves as a historical and cultural landmark, preserving the legacy of Russian diaspora in France.

#### Sainte-Geneviève Sports
- **Established**: January 30, 1936.
- **Type**: French association football club.
- **Location**: Based in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.
- **Impact**: Contributes to local sports culture and community engagement.

#### Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois (Paris RER) Station
- **Opened**: 1881.
- **Function**: Railway station connecting the commune to the broader Île-de-France transport network.
- **Importance**: Facilitates accessibility and regional mobility.

### Governance and Civic Structure
As a **commune of France**, Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is part of the country's municipal administrative structure, which has existed since **1789**. It is subject to local governance laws and participates in the **Concours des villes et villages fleuris**, an annual French contest promoting floral and environmental excellence in municipalities.

### Cultural and Historical Significance
The presence of the **Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois Russian Cemetery** underscores the commune's role in preserving the memory of Russian émigrés, particularly those who fled the 1917 Revolution. This makes the commune a unique cultural bridge between French and Russian history. The cemetery is a site of pilgrimage for historians and descendants of those buried there.

### Digital Presence
The commune maintains an official website at [https://www.sgdb91.com/](https://www.sgdb91.com/), which provides civic information, local services, and community updates. This digital presence supports transparency and engagement with residents.

### Conclusion
Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois is more than a small administrative unit—it is a node in the cultural and historical fabric of France. Through its institutions, landmarks, and civic engagement, it contributes to the broader narrative of French local identity while preserving the memory of international communities that have found a home within its borders.

## References

1. French National Directory of Representatives
2. archINFORM
3. BnF authorities
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
6. INSEE code
7. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/4316069)
8. [Source](https://data.iledefrance.fr/explore/dataset/villes_idf_label_vvf/download?format=csv)
9. répertoire géographique des communes
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Czech National Authority Database
12. Annuaire de service-public.fr
13. MusicBrainz
14. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
15. Populations légales 2016
16. Populations légales 2017
17. Populations légales 2018
18. Populations légales 2019
19. Populations légales 2020
20. Populations légales 2021
21. Populations de référence 2022
22. Populations de référence 2023
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
24. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
25. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=31413)
26. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
27. GeoNames
28. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
29. [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)
30. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
31. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File