# Saulxures

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21348](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21348)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saulxures,_Bas-Rhin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/saulxures

## Summary

Saulxures is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France, situated at coordinates 48.392222°N latitude and 7.131111°E longitude. The small rural municipality, historically part of the Alsace-Lorraine territory, belongs to the arrondissement of Molsheim and the canton of Val-de-Meuse. With a population of approximately 500-530 residents across recent years, Saulxures represents a typical small French commune in the Vosges department area.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Saulxures
- **Region**: Alsace (Bas-Rhin department)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 48.392222°N, 7.131111°E
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (French administrative district, established March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Molsheim
- **Canton**: Val-de-Meuse
- **Historical Territory**: Unterelsaß (central district of Alsace-Lorraine in the German Empire, 1871-1918)
- **Department of Vosges**: The commune is part of the Vosges department (established March 4, 1790)
- **Commune Status**: Commune of France (French territorial subdivision, established 1789)
- **Population**: Approximately 500-530 residents (varying between 497 and 528 in recorded data)
- **Historical Name**: Salzern (alias)
- **Website**: https://mairie-saulxures.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Saulxures, Bas-Rhin
- **Sitelink Count**: 43
- **Nearby Infrastructure**: Saulxures railway station (former railway stop)

## FAQs

**What region and administrative division does Saulxures belong to?**

Saulxures is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department located in the Alsace region of northeastern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Molsheim and the canton of Val-de-Meuse. The commune is situated in the Vosges department, which was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What is the historical context of Saulxures' location?**

The commune lies in the historical territory of Unterelsaß (German name), which was the central district of the imperial territory of Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. Following World War I, the territory returned to French control, and Saulxures became part of the French administrative system.

**What are the population and geographic details of Saulxures?**

Saulxures is a small commune with a population ranging between 497 and 528 residents according to recent data. It is located at coordinates 48.392222°N latitude and 7.131111°E longitude, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the German border. The commune also has the alternative name "Salzern."

**What infrastructure and facilities are available in Saulxures?**

The commune historically featured the Saulxures railway station, which served as a railway stop in the municipality. The commune maintains a municipal website at https://mairie-saulxures.fr, providing information about local government and services.

**What type of territorial subdivision is a commune in France?**

In France, a commune is the lowest-level territorial subdivision for municipalities. The commune of France as an administrative category was established in 1789 and serves as the fundamental unit of local government throughout the country, with over 35,000 communes in total.

## Why It Matters

Saulxures matters as a representative example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial organization. While modest in size, these communes collectively define the rural character and cultural fabric of regions like Alsace. The commune's location in Bas-Rhin places it at the heart of the Alsace region, which holds significant historical importance due to its position at the crossroads of French and German cultural influences.

The historical context of Saulxures—having been part of the German Empire from 1871 to 1918—makes it a testament to the complex regional history of Alsace-Lorraine, a territory that changed national affiliation multiple times throughout European history. Understanding such communes provides insight into the cultural bilingualism and cross-border relationships that characterize the French-German border region.

As part of the arrondissement of Molsheim, Saulxures contributes to the administrative functioning of the Bas-Rhin department, which serves as a framework for local governance, public services, and regional planning. The commune's population data reflects the broader demographic patterns of rural Alsace, where many small villages maintain stable populations despite broader urbanization trends.

## Notable For

- **Historical Territory**: Part of Unterelsaß in the German Empire (1871-1918), representing the complex Franco-German historical transitions in Alsace-Lorraine
- **Administrative Location**: Situated in the Bas-Rhin department, one of the two departments comprising the Alsace region
- **Railway Heritage**: Home to the former Saulxures railway station, reflecting the region's historical transportation infrastructure
- **Bilingual Region**: Located in Alsace, a region known for its distinctive Franco-German bilingual character and cultural heritage
- **Municipal Website**: Maintains an official municipal website (mairie-saulxures.fr), demonstrating local governance engagement

## Body

### Geography and Location

Saulxures is geographically positioned at coordinates 48.392222°N latitude and 7.131111°E longitude in northeastern France. The commune is located in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the Alsace region that borders Germany. This positioning places Saulxures in the heart of the Upper Rhine region, characterized by the Vosges mountains to the west and the Rhine River plain to the east.

The commune's location within the arrondissement of Molsheim places it in a region known for its viticulture, picturesque villages, and historical sites. Molsheim itself is a historic town that served as the seat of the powerful Eyquem family and contains notable architectural heritage from various periods.

### Administrative History

The commune of Saulxures exists within a complex historical administrative framework. The Bas-Rhin department was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, as part of the reorganization of French administrative divisions. This date marks the beginning of the modern departmental system in France.

However, the territory of Alsace-Lorraine, including the area around Saulxures, experienced significant political changes. Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, the territory was annexed by the German Empire and became known as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). Within this imperial German territory, the area was organized into districts called Bezirke, with Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) being the central district. Saulxures fell within this Unterelsaß region from 1871 to 1918.

After World War I, the territory returned to French control in 1919, and the commune was reintegrated into the French departmental system. The current administrative structure places Saulxures in the Bas-Rhin department, with the department headquarters in Strasbourg.

### Administrative Structure

Saulxures participates in the French administrative system at multiple levels:

- **Commune Level**: As a commune of France (established 1789), Saulxures is the lowest-level territorial and administrative division, serving as the fundamental unit of local government
- **Canton Level**: The commune belongs to the canton of Val-de-Meuse, which organizes judicial and electoral matters at the sub-arrondissement level
- **Arrondissement Level**: Saulxures is part of the arrondissement of Molsheim, which is an administrative division grouping several communes for administrative purposes
- **Department Level**: The commune is in the Bas-Rhin department (department number 67 in the Alsace region)
- **Regional Level**: Bas-Rhin is part of the Alsace region, one of the 18 administrative regions of metropolitan France

### Demographics and Population

Saulxures represents a small rural French commune with a population typically ranging between 497 and 528 residents according to recent census data. This population size is characteristic of the numerous small villages that dot the Alsatian countryside, where communes with fewer than 1,000 residents are common.

The population figures demonstrate relative stability, with slight variations across recording periods. This pattern reflects the broader demographic situation in rural Alsace, where many small communes maintain consistent populations despite broader national urbanization trends. The commune's small size contributes to a close-knit community character typical of rural French village life.

### Infrastructure and Transportation

Historically, Saulxures was served by the Saulxures railway station, which functioned as a railway stop in the municipality. This railway infrastructure reflects the historical development of rail networks in Alsace, which were particularly important given the region's strategic location near the French-German border.

The presence of a railway station, even if now former, indicates that Saulxures was historically connected to the broader regional transportation network, facilitating movement of goods and people throughout the Alsace region and beyond.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

Saulxures is situated in Alsace, a region with a distinctive cultural identity characterized by its bilingual French-German heritage. The region is known for its unique dialect (Alsatian), traditional architecture (fachwerk houses), cuisine (including flammekueche and baeckeoffe), and wine culture.

The commune's historical inclusion in the German Empire (1871-1918) and subsequent return to France has shaped the regional identity of Alsace, where communities often maintain connections to both French and German cultural traditions. This historical context makes communes like Saulxures representative of the complex cultural tapestry of the European border regions.

### Local Governance

As a commune of France, Saulxures is governed by a municipal council headed by a mayor. The commune maintains an official website (https://mairie-saulxures.fr), providing residents and visitors with information about local services, municipal decisions, and community events.

The municipal website represents the modern administrative presence of the commune, facilitating communication between local government and citizens. This digital presence reflects the integration of small French communes into contemporary e-governance systems.

### Related Administrative Entities

The commune's position within the French administrative system creates several relationships with other territorial entities:

- **Bas-Rhin**: The department to which Saulxures belongs, one of the two departments in the Alsace region (the other being Haut-Rhin)
- **Arrondissement of Molsheim**: The administrative division grouping communes in the southern part of Bas-Rhin
- **Canton of Val-de-Meuse**: The electoral and judicial subdivision to which Saulxures belongs
- **Vosges Department**: While the commune is in Bas-Rhin, the name "Saulxures" appears in multiple locations in the broader Vosges mountain region
- **Commune of France**: The broader category of French territorial subdivisions, of which Saulxures is one of approximately 35,000

### Historical Context: Alsace-Lorraine

The territory surrounding Saulxures has been at the center of major European historical events. The region of Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) was contested between France and Germany throughout the 19th and 20th centuries:

- **1871**: Following the Franco-Prussian War, Alsace-Lorraine is annexed by the German Empire and organized into the Bezirk Unterelsaß (among other districts)
- **1918**: After World War I, the territory returns to France under the Treaty of Versailles
- **1940-1944**: During World War II, the region is again annexed by Nazi Germany
- **1944-1945**: The territory is liberated and returns to French control

This historical cycle of annexation and de-annexation has left a lasting imprint on the cultural and administrative identity of the region, including communes like Saulxures.

### Position in Contemporary France

In contemporary France, Saulxures represents one of the thousands of small communes that form the foundation of French territorial organization. While not a major population center or economic hub, the commune plays a role in maintaining the rural fabric and administrative coverage of the French territory.

The commune's sitelink count of 43 indicates a modest but present presence in digital knowledge repositories, reflecting its status as a recognized entity within the French administrative system. The Wikipedia article titled "Saulxures, Bas-Rhin" provides English-language coverage of the commune, contributing to its visibility in international contexts.

### Conclusion

Saulxures exemplifies the small rural commune that characterizes much of the French territorial landscape. Its history reflects the broader narrative of Alsace—a region shaped by centuries of Franco-German interaction, war, reconciliation, and cultural synthesis. Today, the commune functions as a local administrative unit within the modern French Republic, maintaining its historical identity while participating in the contemporary structures of regional governance in the Alsace region.

## 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 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [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)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)