# Villars-les-Dombes

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q18104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villars-les-Dombes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/villars-les-dombes

## Summary
Villars-les-Dombes is a commune located in the Ain department in eastern France, within the historic region of Dombes. It serves as the seat of the canton of Villars-les-Dombes and is part of the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse. The commune is notably home to the Parc des oiseaux bird zoo and the Gare de Villars-les-Dombes railway station.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Commune in the Ain department, France.
- **Region**: Part of the Dombes area and the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse.
- **Coordinates**: 46.0025°N, 5.029722°E.
- **Alias**: Villars.
- **Administrative Status**: Seat of the canton of Villars-les-Dombes (inception: March 22, 2015).
- **Classification**: Commune of France (inception: 1789).
- **Official Website**: https://www.villars-les-dombes.fr/
- **Notable Landmarks**: Gare de Villars-les-Dombes (railway station), Parc des oiseaux (bird zoo).
- **Country Context**: France is a semi-presidential republic with a capital in Paris and a population of 68,605,616 (2025 estimate).
- **National Leadership**: Head of State is Emmanuel Macron; Head of Government is Sébastien Lecornu.
- **National Economy**: France's GDP is $2.78 trillion USD (2022); currency is the Euro (EUR).
- **National Geography**: Metropolitan France borders Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain; highest point is Mont Blanc (4,808.72 meters).
- **National Symbols**: Motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité"; flag is the Tricolore; anthem is "La Marseillaise".
- **International Membership**: France is a permanent UN Security Council member, EU founding member, and NATO member.
- **Infrastructure Standards**: France drives on the right; uses 230V electricity; calling code +33.
- **Historical Population Data**:
  - 1,842
  - 2,344
  - 2,796
  - 3,415
  - 4,190
  - 4,303
  - 4,411
  - 4,449
  - 4,460
  - 4,711
  - 4,795
  - 4,962
  - 4,978
  - 4,946
  - 4,954
  - 5,059
  - 5,163

## FAQs
**Where is Villars-les-Dombes located?**
Villars-les-Dombes is situated in the Ain department in eastern France, specifically within the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse and the historic Dombes region.

**What is Villars-les-Dombes known for?**
The commune is notably home to the Parc des oiseaux, a significant bird zoo, and the Gare de Villars-les-Dombes, a railway station serving the area.

**What administrative divisions is Villars-les-Dombes part of?**
It is a commune of France and serves as the seat of the canton of Villars-les-Dombes, which was established on March 22, 2015.

**What is the population trend of Villars-les-Dombes?**
Historical data indicates a steady population growth from 1,842 in earlier records to over 5,100 in recent counts.

**What country does Villars-les-Dombes belong to?**
Villars-les-Dombes is part of France, a semi-presidential republic and a major global power located in Western Europe.

## Why It Matters
Villars-les-Dombes holds significance as a representative commune within the Ain department and the Dombes region, serving as an administrative hub as the seat of its canton. Its presence contributes to the demographic and administrative fabric of France, which operates as a unitary state with a decentralized administration. The commune's inclusion of the Parc des oiseaux highlights its role in regional tourism and wildlife conservation, drawing visitors to the area. Furthermore, as part of the French Republic, Villars-les-Dombes is connected to a nation with pivotal global influence, being a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a founding member of the European Union.

## Notable For
- **Parc des oiseaux**: Hosts a major bird zoo located within the commune.
- **Transportation Hub**: Features the Gare de Villars-les-Dombes railway station.
- **Administrative Seat**: Serves as the administrative center for the canton of Villars-les-Dombes.
- **Regional Identity**: Located in the Dombes, a former country and distinct geographic region.
- **Population Growth**: Demonstrated consistent growth from 1,842 residents to over 5,100 based on historical data points.

## Body

### Geography and Territory
Villars-les-Dombes is geographically positioned at coordinates 46.0025°N latitude and 5.029722°E longitude. It is located within the Ain department and falls under the jurisdiction of the arrondissement of Bourg-en-Bresse. The commune is situated in the Dombes, a region historically recognized as a former country.

As part of France, the commune resides within a nation that encompasses a total area of 643,801 square kilometers. Metropolitan France, where Villars-les-Dombes is located, shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Andorra. The broader French territory includes overseas regions in the Americas (e.g., French Guiana), Africa (e.g., Réunion), Oceania (e.g., New Caledonia), and Antarctica (Adélie Land). The highest point in the country is Mont Blanc at 4,808.72 meters, while the lowest is Étang de Lavalduc at -10 meters.

### Government and Administration
Villars-les-Dombes functions as a commune of France, a territorial subdivision for municipalities that was established in 1789. It serves as the seat of the canton of Villars-les-Dombes, an administrative division that came into existence on March 22, 2015. The commune operates under the governance of the French Republic, a unitary semi-presidential republic with a decentralized administration.

The national government is structured around the Fifth Republic constitution, established on October 4, 1958. The executive branch is shared between the Head of State, President Emmanuel Macron, and the Head of Government, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu. The legislative branch is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate. France is divided into 18 administrative regions, with Ain being part of the metropolitan divisions.

### Demographics and Society
The population of Villars-les-Dombes has shown a historical upward trend, with recorded figures ranging from 1,842 in earlier periods to 5,163 in recent counts. Intermediate data points include populations of 2,344, 2,796, 3,415, 4,190, 4,303, 4,411, 4,449, 4,460, 4,711, 4,795, 4,962, 4,978, 4,946, 4,954, and 5,059.

This demographic exists within the broader context of France, which had an estimated population of 68,605,616 as of January 1, 2025. French society is highly urbanized, with an official language of French, though regional languages such as Basque, Occitan, Catalan, Breton, and Alsatian are recognized. The national life expectancy is 82 years, and the age of majority is 18.

### Economy and Infrastructure
The local economy of Villars-les-Dombes is supported by infrastructure such as the Gare de Villars-les-Dombes railway station and the Parc des oiseaux, a bird zoo that serves as a tourist attraction. These entities operate within the framework of the French economy, which has a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion USD (2022) and a government budget of €455.2 billion (2023).

The national currency is the Euro (€), though CFP Francs are used in overseas territories like New Caledonia and French Polynesia. The standard VAT rate in France is 20%, with reduced rates of 10% and 5.5%. Infrastructure standards across the country include driving on the right side of the road, a metric system for speed limits (130 km/h on highways), and an electrical grid operating at 230 volts and 50 Hz using Europlug and Type E plugs.

### Culture and Symbols
Villars-les-Dombes shares in the rich cultural heritage of France. The national symbols include the Tricolore flag (blue, white, red), the motto "Liberté, égalité, fraternité," and the national anthem "La Marseillaise." Public holidays celebrated in the commune include New Year's Day, Easter Monday, International Workers' Day (May 1), Victory in Europe Day (May 8), Bastille Day (July 14), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Armistice Day (November 11), and Christmas (December 25).

### International Relations
As a part of France, Villars-les-Dombes is situated within a country that is a central player in international affairs. France is a founding member of the European Union (since March 25, 1957) and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (since October 24, 1945). It is also a member of NATO (since April 4, 1949), the G7, the G20, the World Trade Organization, the Schengen Area, and the Council of Europe. France possesses nuclear weapons, a status attained in 1960, and maintains diplomatic relations globally, including with the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

## References

1. French National Directory of Representatives
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. [Source](https://lingualibre.fr/wiki/Q61319)
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 communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
13. Populations légales 2019
14. Populations légales 2020
15. Populations légales 2021
16. Populations de référence 2022
17. Populations de référence 2023
18. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
19. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)
20. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
21. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/cog/commune/COM01443-villars-les-dombes)
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)