# Vignevieille

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1081761](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1081761)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignevieille)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vignevieille

## Summary

Vignevieille is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, situated in the historical region of the Corbières. As part of the canton of Mouthoumet (until March 2015), this small rural municipality represents one of the numerous communes that form the administrative fabric of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southwestern France.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Vignevieille is positioned at coordinates 43.005555555556°N latitude and 2.5244444444444°E longitude
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the Aude department (established March 4, 1790)
- **Arrondissement**: Falls under both the arrondissement of Narbonne and the arrondissement of Carcassonne
- **Historical Canton**: Previously belonged to the canton of Mouthoumet until March 2015
- **Country**: France, a unitary semi-presidential republic and founding member of the European Union
- **Commune Status**: Established as a commune of France in 1789
- **Population**: Historical population figures recorded at various points: 72, 75, 78, 92, 95, 99, 101, 104, 105, 106, 107, 112
- **Regional Context**: Located in the South West France region, specifically in the Corbières area known for its mountainous terrain and wine production
- **Wikipedia Presence**: Sitelink count of 41, indicating moderate digital documentation

## FAQs

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

Vignevieille is situated in the Aude department of southern France, which is part of the Occitanie region (formerly Languedoc-Roussillon). The commune lies within the historical and geographical area of the Corbières, a region characterized by its rugged landscape, vineyards, and medieval fortresses.

**What administrative divisions does Vignevieille belong to?**

Vignevieille is a commune in the Aude department, which was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. The commune falls under the jurisdiction of both the arrondissement of Narbonne and the arrondissement of Carcassonne. Prior to March 2015, it was part of the canton of Mouthoumet.

**What is the geographic position of Vignevieille?**

The commune is located at coordinates 43.005555555556°N latitude and 2.5244444444444°E longitude, placing it in the southern France region known for its Mediterranean climate and proximity to the Pyrenees mountains.

**What type of administrative entity is a commune in France?**

A commune (commune of France) is the lowest level of administrative division in France, similar to a municipality. The concept was established in 1789 during the French Revolution and represents the most fundamental territorial subdivision for local governance. France contains approximately 35,000 communes of varying sizes, from major cities to small rural villages like Vignevieille.

**What is the population of Vignevieille?**

While specific population figures for Vignevieille are limited in the source material, historical population data points recorded include numbers ranging from 72 to 112 residents at various census periods, indicating it is a small rural commune typical of the Aude department's interior regions.

## Why It Matters

Vignevieille represents the essential fabric of rural French life and administrative organization. As one of the smallest administrative units in France, communes like Vignevieille form the foundation upon which local governance, public services, and community identity are built. The Aude department, where Vignevieille is located, is significant as part of the broader Occitanie region, which represents France's connection to the Mediterranean basin and its agricultural heritage, particularly in wine production from the Corbières appellation.

The commune's location within the former canton of Mouthoumet places it within a historical territory known for its medieval heritage, including fortresses and churches that dot the landscape. Understanding Vignevieille requires recognizing its role within the French administrative system, where even small municipalities maintain their own local government, participate in intercommunal structures, and preserve local traditions and cultural identity.

From a broader perspective, Vignevieille exemplifies the challenges and characteristics of rural France: maintaining population in areas affected by urbanization trends, preserving agricultural lands and natural environments, and sustaining the social fabric of small communities that define much of the French territory beyond major urban centers.

## Notable For

- **Rural Heritage**: Represents the traditional rural commune structure of southern France
- **Corbières Location**: Situated in one of France's prominent wine-producing regions known for AOC wines
- **Medieval Context**: Part of an area rich in medieval history, with proximity to historic fortresses and churches
- **Administrative Continuity**: Has maintained its status as a commune since 1789, demonstrating the stability of French local governance structures

## Body

### Geographic and Administrative Context

Vignevieille is classified as a commune in the Aude department, one of the 96 departments in metropolitan France. The Aude department was created on March 4, 1790, during the early days of the French Revolution, as part of the reorganization of French administrative divisions. The department is located in the southern part of France, in the Occitanie region (formerly Languedoc-Roussillon), and is characterized by its diverse landscape ranging from the Mediterranean coastline to the mountainous interior of the Corbières and the Pyrenees.

The commune's position at coordinates 43.005555555556°N and 2.5244444444444°E places it in the interior of the Aude department, away from the Mediterranean coast but within the Corbières mountain range. This region is known for its rugged terrain, limestone formations, and microclimates that contribute to the distinctive character of local wines.

### Administrative Structure

As a French commune, Vignevieille operates as the most local level of government in France. The commune system dates to 1789, when the French Revolution abolished the previous feudal administrative divisions and established the commune as the fundamental unit of territorial organization. Today, France comprises approximately 35,000 communes, each with its own mayor and municipal council, though many small communes like Vignevieille share administrative resources through intercommunal structures.

Prior to March 2015, Vignevieille was part of the canton of Mouthoumet, an administrative division that grouped several communes for electoral purposes at the departmental level. The canton system in France serves as an intermediate level between communes and arrondissements, primarily for electoral organization but also for some administrative coordination.

### Regional Context: Aude Department

The Aude department encompasses a significant portion of southern France's Mediterranean coast and interior. Its capital, Carcassonne, is famous for its medieval fortified city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that exemplifies the region's rich historical heritage. The department also includes the Mediterranean city of Narbonne, another historical center of the region.

The Aude department is part of the Occitanie region, which was formed in 2016 through the merger of the former Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions. This makes it one of the largest regions in France, stretching from the Mediterranean coast to the Pyrenees mountains and including diverse landscapes, climates, and economic activities.

### The Corbières Region

Vignevieille is located in the Corbières, a mountainous region in the southern part of the Aude department and extending into the eastern Pyrenees. The Corbières is known for its wine production, with the Corbières AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) being one of the largest wine appellations in France. The region's diverse terroir, characterized by limestone soils, varying altitudes, and Mediterranean influences, produces wines with distinctive character, particularly robust reds and aromatic whites.

The Corbières is also rich in historical and architectural heritage, with numerous medieval fortresses, churches, and villages perched on hilltops or nestled in valleys. This landscape reflects centuries of human settlement, agricultural development, and strategic importance as a border region between France and neighboring territories.

### Population and Demographics

While specific contemporary population figures for Vignevieille are not detailed in the source material, the historical population data points ranging from 72 to 112 indicate that Vignevieille is a small rural commune, typical of the interior regions of the Aude department. These population levels are consistent with many communes in the Corbières region, where depopulation has been a concern in recent decades as younger residents move to larger towns and cities for education and employment opportunities.

Small communes like Vignevieille often face challenges related to maintaining public services, schools, and infrastructure. However, they also represent the preservation of traditional rural lifestyles, agricultural activities (particularly viticulture and sheep farming), and close-knit community relationships.

### Historical Administrative Evolution

The administrative history of Vignevieille reflects the broader evolution of French local government. The commune, as an administrative concept, was established in 1789 as part of the revolutionary reorganization that replaced the old provinces and feudal divisions with a rational, uniform system of departments, arrondissements, cantons, and communes.

The canton of Mouthoumet, to which Vignevieille belonged until 2015, represents one of the historical administrative divisions that organized rural France for electoral and some administrative purposes. The restructuring of cantons in 2015, as part of broader administrative reforms, led to the reorganization of many small cantons into larger units, though this primarily affected electoral geography rather than daily local governance.

### Relationship to French Administrative Hierarchy

Vignevieille exists within a multi-layered administrative system that balances local autonomy with national coordination. At the top level, France is divided into 18 regions (13 in metropolitan France, 5 overseas). These are divided into 96 departments (including overseas departments), which are further divided into arrondissements. Arrondissements contain cantons, and cantons contain communes.

This hierarchical structure allows for both local governance (through communes and their elected officials) and coordination at regional and national levels. While communes like Vignevieille maintain significant autonomy in local matters—managing local roads, schools (in larger communes), zoning, and local taxes—they also participate in intercommunal structures that pool resources for larger projects and services.

### Cultural and Social Significance

Communes like Vignevieille represent the foundational unit of French civic life. The commune is often the level at which French citizens engage most directly with government—registering births and deaths, voting in local elections, and participating in municipal affairs. For residents of small rural communes, the local mayor and municipal council play crucial roles in maintaining quality of life, even in communities with limited populations.

The Aude department and the broader Occitanie region are known for their distinctive cultural traditions, including Occitan language and culture (though French is the official language throughout), regional festivals, and culinary traditions featuring local wines, olive oil, and products from the Mediterranean and mountain regions.

### Economic Context

The economy of the Aude department and the Corbières region is heavily influenced by agriculture, particularly viticulture. Wine production is the dominant agricultural activity, with numerous vineyards and caves coopératives (cooperative wineries) throughout the region. Beyond wine, the region produces olives, fruits, vegetables, and sheep products.

Tourism also plays a significant role in the regional economy, with attractions including the fortified city of Carcassonne, the Mediterranean coast, and the rural villages of the Corbières. Rural communes like Vignevieille contribute to this tourism economy through their historical sites, landscapes, and as part of the broader rural heritage that attracts visitors seeking authentic French rural experiences.

### Connectivity and Infrastructure

While specific infrastructure details for Vignevieille are not provided in the source material, small rural communes in the Aude department typically face challenges related to connectivity. The department is served by road networks connecting interior villages to larger towns like Carcassonne and Narbonne, as well as by the Mediterranean railway line that runs along the coast.

The French national telecommunications infrastructure provides services to most communes, though some very small or isolated villages may have limited high-speed internet access. As part of national efforts to reduce the digital divide, France has been expanding broadband and mobile coverage to rural areas.

### Conclusion

Vignevieille exemplifies the thousands of small communes that form the administrative backbone of France. While not a major population center, it represents the continuity of local governance, the preservation of rural heritage, and the ongoing story of French territorial organization. Its location in the Aude department places it within a region of significant historical, agricultural, and cultural importance, particularly for wine production and medieval heritage. Understanding Vignevieille requires recognizing its place within the broader French administrative system while appreciating the unique characteristics of rural life in southern France's Corbières 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 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. 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. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)