# Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche > commune in Côte-d'Or, France **Wikidata**: [Q16193](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16193) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sainte-marie-la-blanche ## Summary Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche is a commune located in the Côte-d'Or department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region of eastern France. It is a small rural municipality situated in the arrondissement of Beaune, part of the canton of Beaune-Sud. The commune sits at coordinates 46.977777777778°N latitude and 4.8911111111111°E longitude. ## Key Facts - **Official Name**: Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche - **Country**: France - **Administrative Region**: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté - **Department**: Côte-d'Or (inception: March 4, 1790) - **Arrondissement**: Beaune - **Canton**: Beaune-Sud - **Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, inception: 1789) - **Coordinates**: 46.977777777778°N, 4.8911111111111°E - **Aliases**: Montagne-Unie, Sainte-Marie - **Official Website**: http://www.mairie-sainte-marie-la-blanche.fr - **Wikipedia Title**: Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche - **Wikidata Description**: commune in Côte-d'Or, France - **Sitelink Count**: 41 - **Population**: 927, 917, 907, 897, 900, 821, 766, 672, 693, 696, 484, 443, 890, 882, 904, 864, 835 (various years) ## FAQs **What type of administrative area is Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche?** Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It operates under the French administrative system as a unit of local government, part of the larger structure that includes departments, arrondissements, and cantons. **Where is Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche located geographically?** The commune is located in eastern France in the Côte-d'Or department within the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. It falls under the arrondissement of Beaune and the canton of Beaune-Sud. Its precise location is at latitude 46.977777777778°N and longitude 4.8911111111111°E. **What is the relationship between Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche and other French administrative divisions?** Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche is part of a hierarchical French administrative structure: it is a commune (lowest level), within the canton of Beaune-Sud, which is within the arrondissement of Beaune, which is within the Côte-d'Or department, which is within the France country. Each level has its own inception date, with communes dating to 1789, the Côte-d'Or department established on March 4, 1790. **What are the alternative names for Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche?** The commune is also known by two aliases: Montagne-Unie and Sainte-Marie. These alternative names may reflect historical naming conventions or local usage within the community. **How can one access information about Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche's local government?** The commune maintains an official website at http://www.mairie-sainte-marie-la-blanche.fr, where residents and visitors can access information about local services, municipal administration, and community matters. ## Why It Matters Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche represents a fundamental unit of French local governance and демократії. As one of the over 34,000 communes in France, it embodies the decentralized administrative structure that has governed French municipalities since the revolutionary period of 1789. The commune system allows for localized decision-making while remaining integrated into broader regional and national administrative frameworks. The commune's location in the Côte-d'Or department places it within one of France's most historically and economically significant regions. Burgundy (Bourgogne) is renowned for its wine production, gastronomy, and medieval heritage. The arrondissement of Beaune is particularly notable as the capital of the Burgundy wine region, making Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche part of an area of substantial cultural and economic importance. From a demographic perspective, the population figures spanning multiple years demonstrate the commune's participation in broader demographic trends affecting rural France. Many small communes in rural areas have experienced population fluctuations due to urbanization, economic shifts, and changes in agricultural employment patterns. The population data, ranging from 443 to 927 residents across various years, reflects the dynamic nature of small French municipalities. The commune's inclusion in the canton of Beaune-Sud indicates its integration into electoral and administrative structures that serve local governance needs. Cantons serve as electoral districts for departmental councils and also help organize various administrative services. ## Notable For - **Historical Administrative Structure**: Part of the French commune system established during the French Revolution in 1789, making it part of one of the oldest continuous systems of local government in the world. - **Wine Region Location**: Situated in the Côte-d'Or department, one of the most prestigious wine-producing areas in the world, known for Burgundy Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. - **Historic Department**: Part of Côte-d'Or, established on March 4, 1790, during the early Revolutionary period, making it one of the original 83 departments created when France was reorganized. - **Local Government Autonomy**: As a commune, it maintains local administrative functions including municipal services, local taxation, and community planning. - **Multiple Name Variations**: Known by three names (Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche, Montagne-Unie, and Sainte-Marie), reflecting historical evolution and local identity. ## Body ### Geography and Location Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche is situated in the eastern part of France, specifically in the Côte-d'Or department of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The commune's geographic coordinates are 46.977777777778°N latitude and 4.8911111111111°E longitude, placing it in the heart of Burgundy. This region is characterized by rolling hills, vineyards, and historic villages, making it one of France's most picturesque and economically significant agricultural areas. The commune lies within the arrondissement of Beaune, which serves as an administrative center for the surrounding area. Beaune itself is renowned as the wine capital of Burgundy, with the famous Hospices de Beaune and extensive wine negociants. The proximity to Beaune influences the local economy, culture, and daily life of Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche residents. ### Administrative Structure Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche operates as a commune, which is the fundamental unit of local government in France. The French commune system dates to 1789, established during the French Revolution as a replacement for the previous feudal administrative divisions. Today, France comprises over 34,000 communes, each with its own municipal council, mayor, and local administration. The commune is part of the canton of Beaune-Sud, which serves as an electoral district for the Departmental Council of Côte-d'Or. Cantons are intermediate administrative units that help organize local services and elections. The canton system allows for representation of smaller communities within the broader departmental structure. At the departmental level, Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche belongs to Côte-d'Or, a department created on March 4, 1790, as part of the Revolutionary reorganization of France. Côte-d'Or is one of the original 83 departments established at that time, and its name refers to the golden hillside (côte d'or) famous for its vineyards. The department is part of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, which was formed from the merger of the former Burgundy and Franche-Comté regions in 2016. ### Historical Context The commune's history is intertwined with the broader history of French administrative development. The establishment of communes in 1789 marked a fundamental shift in how France was governed, replacing the ancient regime's provinces, bailliages, and seneschalties with a uniform system of departments, arrondissements, and communes. The name Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche, along with its aliases Montagne-Unie and Sainte-Marie, reflects the historical development and local identity of the commune. The prefix "Sainte-Marie" indicates the commune's dedication to Saint Mary (the Virgin Mary), a common naming convention in historically Catholic France. The addition "la-Blanche" (the white) may refer to local geographical features, historical events, or architectural characteristics. ### Demographics and Population The population data for Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche shows significant variation across different years: 927, 917, 907, 897, 900, 821, 766, 672, 693, 696, 484, 443, 890, 882, 904, 864, and 835 residents. These figures demonstrate the dynamic nature of demographic change in small French communes. The fluctuations in population reflect broader trends affecting rural France. Many small communes experienced population decline during the 20th century due to urbanization, as residents moved to larger cities for employment and educational opportunities. More recently, some communes have seen population stabilization or growth as people seek quieter rural lifestyles, particularly in attractive regions like Burgundy. The commune's small population places it among the many rural municipalities that form the backbone of French territorial organization. These small communes often face challenges related to maintaining local services, infrastructure, and community vitality while managing limited financial resources. ### Local Government and Services As a commune, Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche is governed by a municipal council elected by residents. The mayor and council members are responsible for local administration, including urban planning, local taxes, public services, and community facilities. The official website (http://www.mairie-sainte-marie-la-blanche.fr) provides information about municipal services and local government activities. French communes, regardless of size, have significant responsibilities including birth and death registration, marriage ceremonies, local property taxation, maintenance of public spaces and roads, and coordination of local services. Larger communes may provide additional services such as public transportation, schools, and cultural facilities. ### Cultural and Economic Context The commune's location in Côte-d'Or places it within one of France's most important wine-producing regions. The Burgundy wine region, with its Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system, produces some of the world's most prestigious wines, including Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits and Chardonnay from the Côte de Beaune. Agriculture remains important to the local economy, though the nature of agricultural activity has evolved over time. Beyond vineyards, the Burgundy region produces other agricultural products including cereals, livestock, and specialty foods like Dijon mustard and Burgundy snails. The proximity to Beaune provides residents with access to regional services, markets, and cultural attractions. Beaune's historic center, with its medieval architecture and annual events like the Hospices de Beaune wine auction, attracts visitors from around the world, contributing to the regional tourism economy. ### Regional Integration Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche participates in the broader administrative and economic systems of Côte-d'Or and the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. The region has developed strategies for sustainable development, economic diversification, and preservation of cultural heritage. At the departmental level, Côte-d'Or maintains infrastructure including roads, schools, and social services that serve commune residents. The prefecture (capital) is Dijon, while Beaune serves as a sub-prefecture for the arrondissement. The commune's integration into French administrative systems ensures that residents have access to national services while benefiting from local governance. This dual integration—local autonomy within national frameworks—defines the French approach to territorial administration. ### Historical Administrative Evolution The French administrative system has evolved significantly since the Revolution of 1789. The commune of Sainte-Marie-la-Blanche, established in its current form in 1789, represents the continuity of Revolutionary administrative reforms. The system replaced the complex, varied territorial divisions of the ancient regime with uniform, rational administrative units. The department of Côte-d'Or, created in 1790, was named after the local geography—the "golden slope" (côte d'or) that runs through the famous vineyard district. This naming reflects the importance of wine production to the region's identity and economy, a significance that continues today. The canton system, of which Beaune-Sud is a part, was reformed in 2015 as part of broader departmental reorganization. These reforms aimed to improve efficiency and representation in local government while maintaining the fundamental structure of French territorial organization. ## 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. [Source](http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=23062) 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. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)