# Seltz

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21430](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21430)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seltz)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/seltz

## Summary

Seltz is a commune in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France, located near the German border. The municipality sits at coordinates 48.894°N latitude and 8.107°E longitude and belongs to the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg. Seltz has historical ties to Selz Abbey, a monastery established in 901 AD, and was historically part of the canton of Seltz until March 2015.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Seltz
- **Alias**: Selz
- **Country**: France
- **Region**: Alsace
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin
- **Arrondissement**: Haguenau-Wissembourg (since 2015)
- **Historical Arrondissement**: Wissembourg (1800-1870, 1919-1940, 1944-2015)
- **Historical Canton**: Seltz (until March 2015)
- **Coordinates**: 48.894166667°N, 8.106944444°E
- **Population**: Approximately 3,204 residents (most recent figure from provided data)
- **Area**: Part of the European Collectivity of Alsace
- **Administrative Inception (Bas-Rhin)**: March 4, 1790
- **Commune of France Inception**: 1789
- **Selz Abbey Established**: January 17, 901
- **Website**: https://www.seltz.fr
- **Wikipedia Title**: Seltz
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 50

## FAQs

**What type of administrative area is Seltz?**

Seltz is a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. It is located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France, near the German border.

**Which arrondissement does Seltz belong to?**

Seltz is part of the arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which was established on January 1, 2015. Prior to this administrative reorganization, Seltz was part of the arrondissement of Wissembourg, which existed during different periods from 1800 to 2015.

**What is the historical significance of Seltz?**

Seltz has historical ties to Selz Abbey, a monastery founded on January 17, 901. The abbey was located in Seltz and served as an important religious institution in the region. The commune was also historically part of the canton of Seltz until the French administrative reorganization in March 2015.

**What are the geographical details of Seltz?**

Seltz is situated at coordinates 48.894166667°N latitude and 8.106944444°E longitude, placing it in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of France, close to the border with Germany.

**What is the population of Seltz?**

According to the most recent data provided, Seltz has a population of approximately 3,204 residents. Historical population figures show numbers ranging from 3,311 to 3,378 in earlier counts.

## Why It Matters

Seltz matters as a representative commune in the Alsace region, an area of significant historical and strategic importance in Europe due to its location on the French-German border. The commune's historical connection to Selz Abbey, dating back to 901 AD, demonstrates its deep roots in the medieval religious and cultural history of the region. Alsace has long been a contested territory between France and Germany, and communes like Seltz embody the complex historical tapestry of European border regions.

The administrative changes that affected Seltz, including the reorganization of arrondissements in 2015 and the dissolution of the canton of Seltz, reflect the ongoing administrative evolution of French local government. For those studying French administrative geography or the history of Alsace, Seltz serves as a case study in how historical boundaries and institutions evolve while maintaining local identity.

Additionally, Seltz's proximity to Germany and its position within the Bas-Rhin department make it relevant for understanding cross-border relations, cultural exchange, and the shared heritage of the Franco-German border region. The commune's website (https://www.seltz.fr) indicates ongoing local governance and community engagement.

## Notable For

- Historical connection to Selz Abbey, a monastery established in 901 AD
- Location in the Alsace region, known for its distinctive bilingual (French-German) culture and contested history between France and Germany
- Part of the Bas-Rhin department, one of the two departments comprising the European Collectivity of Alsace
- Proximity to the German border, making it a border commune in northeastern France
- Historical membership in the canton of Seltz until the 2015 French administrative reorganization

## Body

### Geography and Location

Seltz is a commune situated in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. The municipality is located at coordinates 48.894166667°N latitude and 8.106944444°E longitude, positioning it in close proximity to the German border. This strategic border location has shaped the region's history significantly, as Alsace has changed hands between France and Germany multiple times throughout history.

The commune lies within the European Collectivity of Alsace, a unique territorial collectivity formed in 2021 that reunites the former Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, and Lorraine regions. Bas-Rhin is one of the two departments (alongside Haut-Rhin) that historically comprised the Alsace region, known for its distinctive culture, language (Alsatian), and architectural heritage.

### Administrative History

Seltz's administrative status is deeply tied to the French revolutionary period and subsequent administrative reorganizations. The department of Bas-Rhin was established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution, as part of the initial division of France into departments. Seltz, as a commune, traces its modern administrative existence to the commune system established in 1789.

Regarding arrondissements, Seltz was part of the arrondissement of Wissembourg for significant periods: from 1800 to 1870, from 1919 to 1940, and from 1944 to 2015. The arrondissement of Wissembourg was dissolved and restructured in 2015, and Seltz became part of the newly formed arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, which came into existence on January 1, 2015.

Similarly, Seltz was the seat of the canton of Seltz until the French administrative reorganization of March 2015, which restructured cantons across France. The commune of France system, which began in 1789, provides the framework for Seltz's position as a municipal territorial subdivision.

### Historical Heritage: Selz Abbey

One of Seltz's most significant historical features is its connection to Selz Abbey (Abbaye de Selz), a monastery founded on January 17, 901. The abbey was established in what is now Seltz and served as an important religious institution in the medieval period. The founding date of 901 places the monastery in the early medieval era, a time when monastic institutions played crucial roles in religious life, education, and economic development throughout Europe.

Selz Abbey's presence in Seltz contributed to the historical importance of the location and helped shape the development of the surrounding area. As a monastery, it would have been involved in agricultural development, religious practices, and potentially educational and charitable activities typical of medieval monastic institutions.

### Demographics and Population

Based on the data provided, Seltz has a population of approximately 3,204 residents according to the most recent figure. The population data shows fluctuations over time, with figures including 3,311, 3,378, 3,344, 3,235, 3,163, 3,162, 3,150, 3,135, 3,168, and 3,204, suggesting a relatively stable but slightly declining population trend in recent years.

This population size is typical for a rural commune in the Bas-Rhin department, which includes both larger urban centers like Strasbourg and numerous smaller rural municipalities. The commune's population reflects the broader demographic patterns in rural Alsace, where some areas have experienced population decline while others benefit from proximity to urban centers and employment opportunities.

### Regional Context: Alsace and Bas-Rhin

Seltz is part of the Bas-Rhin department, one of the most historically significant departments in France due to its position on the Franco-German border. The department's headquarters is located in Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace region. Bas-Rhin shares its eastern border with Germany, specifically the states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.

The department was created during the French Revolution in 1790 and has undergone various territorial adjustments throughout history, particularly following the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), World War I (1918), World War II (1945), and the post-war period. These historical events resulted in Alsace and Bas-Rhin alternating between French and German control, giving the region its distinctive bilingual character and cultural heritage.

The arrondissement of Haguenau-Wissembourg, to which Seltz now belongs, encompasses the northern part of Bas-Rhin and includes several towns with historical significance. The former arrondissement of Wissembourg, which included Seltz for much of its history, was named after the town of Wissembourg, which itself has historical importance dating back to Roman times.

### Local Governance and Modern Administration

Today, Seltz operates as a commune within the French administrative system, with local governance handled by a mayor and municipal council. The commune maintains an official website (https://www.seltz.fr), indicating active local government and communication with residents.

The commune falls under the jurisdiction of the prefecture of Bas-Rhin, which is located in Strasbourg. At the regional level, Seltz is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace, which exercises regional competencies previously held by the Alsace region before its merger with Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine.

### Cultural and Linguistic Heritage

As part of Alsace, Seltz is situated in a region with a distinctive cultural and linguistic heritage. The Alsatian dialect of German is historically spoken in the region, though French is the official language. The region's architecture, cuisine, and traditions reflect a blend of French and German influences, a result of its complex historical past.

The commune's historical connection to Selz Abbey also contributes to its cultural heritage, as medieval monasteries often served as centers of religious art, manuscript production, and learning. The preservation and awareness of such historical sites remain important for local identity and cultural tourism in the region.

### Relationship to Other Administrative Entities

Seltz is connected to several administrative and historical entities through the French territorial system. As a commune, it is part of the larger system of communes in France, which dates to 1789. The canton system, though restructured in 2015, previously provided an intermediate level of administrative organization between communes and arrondissements.

The commune is also linked to the broader network of French territorial divisions, including departments, regions, and the national government in Paris. This hierarchical system organizes everything from local services to national policy implementation, with Seltz serving as the lowest level of territorial administration while connecting to higher levels of governance.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
5. [Seltz](https://wetlandcity.org/seltz/)
6. répertoire géographique des communes
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Czech National Authority Database
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. MusicBrainz
11. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
12. Populations légales 2016
13. Populations légales 2017
14. Populations légales 2018
15. Populations légales 2019
16. Populations légales 2020
17. Populations légales 2021
18. Populations de référence 2022
19. Populations de référence 2023
20. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
22. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
23. GeoNames
24. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
25. [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)
26. Quora
27. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
28. museum-digital