# Scherlenheim

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21515)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scherlenheim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/scherlenheim

## Summary

Scherlenheim is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France, situated in the arrondissement of Saverne. The small rural municipality sits at coordinates 48.764444444444°N latitude and 7.5347222222222°E longitude, and operates under the local administrative framework of the commune system that has existed in France since 1789.

## Key Facts

- **Entity Type**: Commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Saverne
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin
- **Region**: Alsace (historical region also known as Unterelsaß)
- **Country**: France
- **Coordinates**: 48.764444444444°N, 7.5347222222222°E
- **Website**: https://scherlenheim.payszorn.com
- **Wikipedia Title**: Scherlenheim
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 44
- **Population Values** (recorded series): 127, 129, 128, 126, 124, 121, 118, 116, 114, 112
- **Historical Context**: Part of the historical territory of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was part of the German Empire's Alsace-Lorraine (Elsaß-Lothringen) from 1871 to 1918
- **Administrative Hierarchy**: Commune → Arrondissement of Saverne → Bas-Rhin department → France
- **Bas-Rhin Inception**: Established as a French administrative district on March 4, 1790

## FAQs

**What region and department is Scherlenheim located in?**

Scherlenheim is located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. The commune falls within the arrondissement of Saverne, which is one of the administrative divisions responsible for local governance and territorial organization in the department.

**What are the geographical coordinates of Scherlenheim?**

Scherlenheim is situated at latitude 48.764444444444°N and longitude 7.5347222222222°E, placing it in the northeastern portion of France near the German border.

**What is the population of Scherlenheim?**

The commune has recorded population values of 127, 129, 128, 126, 124, 121, 118, 116, 114, and 112 across a series of data points, indicating a small rural community typical of the many communes in the Alsace region.

**What historical context applies to Scherlenheim?**

Scherlenheim is situated in the historical region of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire from 1871 to 1918. This territory was annexed by Germany following the Franco-Prussian War and returned to France after World War I.

**What administrative structures is Scherlenheim part of?**

Scherlenheim operates as a commune of France, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in the French administrative system. It is part of the arrondissement of Saverne, the Bas-Rhin department, and ultimately the Republic of France. The Bas-Rhin department itself was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**What is the official online presence for Scherlenheim?**

The commune maintains a website at https://scherlenheim.payszorn.com, which serves as its official online presence for municipal information and services.

## Why It Matters

Scherlenheim represents the quintessential French rural commune that forms the foundational unit of local governance in France. With over 34,000 communes across the country, these municipalities serve as the closest level of government to citizens, managing local services, maintaining public spaces, and representing community interests. The commune's location in Bas-Rhin places it in one of France's most historically significant regions—a territory that has changed hands between France and Germany multiple times throughout history, most notably between 1871 and 1918 when it was part of the German Empire. Today, Scherlenheim contributes to the cultural and administrative fabric of Alsace, a region known for its distinctive blend of French and Germanic cultural influences, its famous cuisine (including wines and gastronomy), and its architectural heritage. The commune's presence in the arrondissement of Saverne connects it to a network of local governance that facilitates regional coordination and development.

## Notable For

- **Historical Significance**: Located in Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), part of Alsace-Lorraine during German imperial rule (1871-1918)
- **Administrative Placement**: Part of the arrondissement of Saverne, one of the administrative divisions serving the Bas-Rhin department
- **Regional Identity**: Situated in Alsace, a region known for its unique bilingual character and distinctive cultural heritage
- **Local Governance**: Operates under the French commune system established in 1789, representing the most local level of administrative organization in France

## Body

### Geography and Location

Scherlenheim is a commune situated in the northeastern French department of Bas-Rhin, which is part of the Alsace region. The municipality is positioned at coordinates 48.764444444444°N latitude and 7.5347222222222°E longitude, placing it in the heart of the Alsace plain, an area characterized by fertile agricultural land and a landscape shaped by both French and Germanic influences. The commune's location near the German border has significantly influenced its history, culture, and administrative status over the centuries.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Scherlenheim operates as the lowest level of territorial administration in France, a system that originated during the French Revolution in 1789. The commune is nested within a hierarchical administrative structure: it belongs to the arrondissement of Saverne, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the commune and the department level. The arrondissement of Saverne is one of the administrative units responsible for coordinating local services and representing state authority at the sub-departmental level. Scherlenheim is also part of the Bas-Rhin department, which was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the early Revolutionary period. The department headquarters is located in Strasbourg, the regional capital.

### Historical Context

The territory of Scherlenheim carries a complex historical legacy tied to the broader history of Alsace. The commune lies within what is historically known as Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace), which was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire from May 20, 1871, until the end of World War I in 1918. This period began following the Franco-Prussian War, when the Treaty of Frankfurt ceded the Alsace-Lorraine territory to Germany. The region was returned to France after the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, and this historical period continues to influence the cultural and linguistic character of the area today. The nearby former arrondissement of Strasbourg-Campagne existed as an administrative division from 1800 to 1879 and again from 1919 to 2015, reflecting the changing administrative boundaries of the region through different political periods.

### Demographics and Community

Scherlenheim represents a small rural community typical of the many communes that dot the French agricultural landscape. The population figures recorded in the source material (ranging from 112 to 129 across multiple data points) indicate a modest-sized municipality consistent with the rural character of much of the Bas-Rhin department outside of the Strasbourg metropolitan area. As a commune of France, Scherlenheim operates under the municipal governance system that includes a mayor and municipal council, who are responsible for local affairs including urban planning, local taxation, and community services. The commune system in France is notable for its granularity—with over 34,000 communes nationwide, France has more local government units than most other countries in Europe.

### Regional Context: Alsace and Bas-Rhin

The Bas-Rhin department is one of the two departments in the Alsace region (along with Haut-Rhin), and it contains the regional capital of Strasbourg, which is also home to European institutions including the European Parliament. The department is characterized by its productive agricultural land, renowned vineyards, and a mix of French and Germanic cultural influences. The arrondissement of Saverne, which includes Scherlenheim, is one of the administrative subdivisions serving this department. The region is known for its distinctive architecture, with half-timbered houses, its famous Christmas markets, and its culinary traditions including sauerkraut (choucroute), flammekueche (tarte flambée), and regional wines. The Bas-Rhin department has a sitelink count of 101, indicating significant digital presence and information availability about the department.

### Local Infrastructure and Services

As a French commune, Scherlenheim participates in the broader French administrative and public service framework. France operates under a semi-presidential system with a unitary state structure, and communes like Scherlenheim benefit from national standards in education, healthcare, transportation, and public administration. The country uses the Euro as its currency and operates on Central European Time (UTC+01:00, with daylight saving time observed). France's national motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité" and its tricolor flag represent the republican values that govern all French communes, including Scherlenheim. The national emergency numbers (112 for general emergencies, 15 for medical, 17 for police, and 18 for fire) apply throughout the territory, including in small communes like this one.

### Digital Presence

Scherlenheim maintains an official website at https://scherlenheim.payszorn.com, providing digital access to municipal information and services for residents and visitors. The commune has a Wikidata sitelink count of 44, indicating moderate digital documentation and visibility in knowledge bases. The Wikipedia article titled "Scherlenheim" provides English-language information about the commune, contributing to its discoverability in international contexts. This digital presence reflects the broader trend of French communes establishing online presences to communicate with their citizens and provide administrative services.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q529702)
5. répertoire géographique des communes
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. Annuaire de service-public.fr
8. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
9. Populations légales 2016
10. Populations légales 2017
11. Populations légales 2018
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. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
19. GeoNames
20. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
21. [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)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)