# Villebret

> commune in Allier, France

**Wikidata**: [Q993769](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q993769)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villebret)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/villebret

## Summary

Villebret is a commune in the Allier department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France. Located in the canton of Marcillat-en-Combraille and the arrondissement of Montluçon, this small rural municipality sits at coordinates 46.2669°N 2.6386°E and is home to approximately 1,300 residents. The commune is known for its historical château and maintains a presence on the internet through its official website.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Canton of Marcillat-en-Combraille, arrondissement of Montluçon, Allier department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Coordinates**: 46.266944444444°N, 2.6386111111111°E
- **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, established December 1789)
- **Department Inception**: Allier department created March 4, 1790
- **Population**: Approximately 1,300 residents (historical data shows figures ranging from 479 to 1,355 across various census years)
- **Official Website**: https://villebret.fr
- **Alias**: Vilabrèt
- **Wikipedia Title**: Villebret
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Allier, France
- **Notable Landmark**: Château des Modiès (image available on Wikimedia Commons)
- **Image License**: Public domain
- **Sitelink Count**: 44

## FAQs

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

Villebret is situated in the Allier department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in central France. It belongs to the canton of Marcillat-en-Combraille and the arrondissement of Montluçon.

**What is the population of Villebret?**

Villebret has a population of approximately 1,300 residents. Historical census data shows population figures ranging from 479 to 1,355 across different recording periods, indicating demographic fluctuations over time.

**What notable landmarks does Villebret have?**

The commune features the Château des Modiès, a historical castle whose image is preserved in the Wikimedia Commons repository under public domain license. The photograph was taken by an unknown author and is available at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AChateau%20des%20modi%C3%A8res.jpg.

**How can I find more information about Villebret?**

The commune maintains an official website at https://villebret.fr where residents and visitors can access local information. The municipality also has a Wikipedia article titled "Villebret" with a sitelink count of 44.

**What is the administrative history of Villebret's department?**

Villebret is located in the Allier department, which was created on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution. As a commune, Villebret's administrative status dates to December 1789, when communes were established as territorial subdivisions of France.

## Why It Matters

Villebret represents the quintessential small French rural commune that forms the backbone of France's territorial organization. While not a major population center, communes like Villebret are essential administrative units that provide local governance, maintain civil records, and preserve historical heritage for communities throughout France. The presence of the Château des Modiès demonstrates the commune's historical significance and architectural heritage, contributing to the cultural tapestry of the Allier department. As part of the canton of Marcillat-en-Combraille and the arrondissement of Montluçon, Villebret participates in the decentralized administrative structure that characterizes French governance. The commune's population of around 1,300 places it among the many mid-sized rural municipalities that maintain community cohesion in central France, balancing agricultural traditions with modern local administration. Its coordinates at 46.2669°N 2.6386°E place it in the heart of the Bourbonnais region, an area known for its rolling landscapes, medieval history, and traditional French rural character.

## Notable For

- **Historical Architecture**: Home to the Château des Modiès, a preserved historical castle featured in Wikimedia Commons
- **Administrative Continuity**: Part of the historic Allier department established during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Rural Community Character**: Represents the traditional French commune structure dating to 1789
- **Local Governance**: Serves as the administrative center for its surrounding area within the canton of Marcillat-en-Combraille

## Body

### Geography and Location

Villebret is positioned at coordinates 46.266944444444°N latitude and 2.6386111111111°E longitude, placing it in the central portion of France known as the Bourbonnais region within the Allier department. The commune lies in the arrondissement of Montluçon, one of the three arrondissements in the Allier department alongside Vichy and Moulins. The terrain consists of the rolling hills and agricultural land characteristic of central France's rural landscape.

### Administrative Structure

As a commune of France, Villebret represents the smallest administrative division in the French territorial organization system. The commune structure was established in December 1789 during the French Revolution, replacing the previous system of parishes and jurisdictions. Villebret falls under the canton of Marcillat-en-Combraille, which serves as an electoral district for certain provincial elections and administrative coordination. The Allier department, created on March 4, 1790, encompasses Villebret and is part of the larger Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes administrative region that was formed through the 2016 regional reorganization of France.

### Demographics

The population of Villebret stands at approximately 1,300 residents. Historical census data preserved in the source material shows significant population fluctuations over time, with figures recorded as: 1,305; 1,323; 1,355; 1,316; 1,319; 479; 512; 696; 865; 1,021; 1,220; 1,283; 1,322; 1,330; 1,331; 1,333; and 1,335. These numbers reflect the demographic shifts common in rural French communes over the past century, including periods of population decline followed by stabilization.

### Cultural Heritage

The Château des Modiès represents Villebret's most notable architectural landmark. This historical castle has been documented through photography and is preserved in the Wikimedia Commons digital archive under public domain licensing. The image, showing the château's exterior, was contributed by an unknown author and remains available for public use and reference. This type of historical building is characteristic of the Allier department, which contains numerous medieval and early modern castles reflecting the region's aristocratic history.

### Local Infrastructure and Access

Villebret maintains a digital presence through its official website at https://villebret.fr, providing information to residents and the public about local services, events, and municipal administration. The commune is identified by the Wikipedia article titled "Villebret," which has a sitelink count of 44, indicating moderate cross-referencing with other Wikipedia articles. The municipality is also catalogued in Wikidata with the description "commune in Allier, France" and carries the alias "Vilabrè" in the Occitan language, reflecting the linguistic heritage of the Auvergne region.

### Regional Context

The commune sits within the Allier department, named after the Allier River that flows through the region. The department is part of the historic province of Bourbonnais, which was incorporated into the Kingdom of France in the 15th century. The arrondissement of Montluçon, to which Villebret belongs, is the easternmost of the three arrondissements and contains several former mining and industrial towns that experienced significant development during the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, the region maintains a balance between agriculture, light industry, and tourism, with its castles, natural parks, and thermal springs attracting visitors throughout the year.

## References

1. [Sandre](https://www.sandre.eaufrance.fr/geo/CoursEau/K---0090)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
4. INSEE code
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. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
19. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
20. GeoNames
21. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
22. [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)
23. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)