# Villefloure

> commune in Aude, France

**Wikidata**: [Q192910](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q192910)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villefloure)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/villefloure

## Summary

Villefloure is a commune located in the Aude department of southern France, situated in the historical region of Occitanie. As part of the canton of Saint-Hilaire and within the arrondissements of Carcassonne and Limoux, this small municipality represents a typical rural French commune in the Mediterranean-influenced landscape of southwestern France.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Villefloure is positioned at coordinates 43.123333333333°N latitude and 2.3811111111111°E longitude
- **Administrative Division**: Part of the canton of Saint-Hilaire
- **Arrondissements**: Falls under both the arrondissement of Carcassonne and the arrondissement of Limoux
- **Department**: Aude, located in South West France (established March 4, 1790)
- **Region**: Occitanie (southern France)
- **Country**: France
- **Classification**: Commune of France (municipal territorial subdivision established in 1789)
- **Population Data**: 162, 174, 165, 161, 75, 57, 62, 82, 76, 120, 152, 170, 159, 156, 159, 157, 156 (various census years)
- **Website**: http://villefloure.free.fr/
- **Wikipedia Title**: Villefloure
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Aude, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 41

## FAQs

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

Villefloure is situated in the Aude department of southern France, which is part of the Occitanie region. The department was officially established on March 4, 1790, during the French Revolution.

**Which administrative subdivisions does Villefloure belong to?**

Villefloure is part of the canton of Saint-Hilaire and is administratively linked to both the arrondissement of Carcassonne and the arrondissement of Limoux. As a commune, it represents the smallest administrative division in France, a territorial unit that originated in 1789.

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

The commune is located at latitude 43.123333333333°N and longitude 2.3811111111111°E, placing it in the Mediterranean climate zone of southern France.

**What is the population of Villefloure?**

Population figures recorded for Villefloure across various census years include: 162, 174, 165, 161, 75, 57, 62, 82, 76, 120, 152, 170, 159, 156, 159, 157, and 156 residents. These numbers reflect fluctuations typical of small rural French communes.

**What is the administrative structure of communes in France?**

Communes in France are the lowest level of administrative division, established in 1789 following the French Revolution. They serve as the fundamental territorial units for local governance, similar to municipalities in other countries. Each commune, including Villefloure, operates within a hierarchical system that includes cantons, arrondissements, departments, and regions.

## Why It Matters

Villefloure represents the foundational unit of French local governance and exemplifies the country's extensive network of rural communes that form the backbone of municipal administration. Though a small settlement, it participates in the centuries-old French system of territorial organization that dates back to the Revolution of 1789. The commune's location in the Aude department places it within one of France's most historically significant regions, characterized by its Mediterranean climate, viticulture, and proximity to the Cathar castles and historical sites of the Languedoc. Understanding Villefloure provides insight into how France manages its thousands of local communities, each with their own mayor, municipal council, and administrative identity, while remaining integrated into larger departmental and regional structures.

## Notable For

- **Historical Administrative Continuity**: Part of France's commune system established in 1789, representing over two centuries of continuous municipal organization
- **Dual Arrondissement Membership**: Uniquely associated with both the arrondissement of Carcassonne and the arrondissement of Limoux
- **Departmental Heritage**: Located in Aude, a department with origins dating to March 4, 1790, during the foundational period of modern French administration
- **Rural French Identity**: Represents the thousands of small communes that characterize the French territorial landscape

## Body

### Geography and Location

Villefloure is positioned in the southern French department of Aude, within the Occitanie region. The commune's precise coordinates are 43.123333333333°N latitude and 2.3811111111111°E longitude. This location places the municipality in the Mediterranean climate zone of southwestern France, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The landscape around Villefloure reflects the typical terrain of the Aude department, which includes rolling hills, vineyards, and proximity to the Corbières mountain range. The department of Aude is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the east and encompasses diverse geographical features including coastal plains, inland valleys, and mountainous areas. The region's position along the historic route between Spain and the rest of France has influenced its development and cultural character over centuries.

### Administrative Structure

Villefloure operates within France's multi-layered administrative system. At the most local level, it functions as a commune, which represents the fundamental territorial subdivision in France, a status that originated in 1789 during the French Revolution. The commune is part of the canton of Saint-Hilaire, which serves as a constituency for elections to the departmental council. Administratively, Villefloure falls under two arrondissements: Carcassonne and Limoux. The arrondissement system in France serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the commune. The department of Aude, within which Villefloure is located, was officially created on March 4, 1790, as part of the revolutionary reorganization of French territorial administration. This department is part of the larger Occitanie region, which was established in 2016 following the merger of the former Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées regions.

### Historical Context

The commune of Villefloure exists within a department whose creation reflects the transformative period of the French Revolution. The establishment of Aude as a department in 1790 represented a break from the historical provinces of the Ancien Régime, replacing them with a rational, uniform administrative system based on geographical and demographic considerations rather than historical borders. The canton system, to which Villefloure belongs through Saint-Hilaire, was similarly established during this period and has evolved over time. The commune structure itself, with its origins in 1789, created the framework for local governance that persists today, with each commune maintaining its own municipal government while operating within the broader departmental and regional frameworks. This system has allowed for both local autonomy and national coherence in French administration.

### Population and Demographics

The population data for Villefloure shows significant variation across different census periods: 162, 174, 165, 161, 75, 57, 62, 82, 76, 120, 152, 170, 159, 156, 159, 157, and 156 residents. These figures reflect the demographic fluctuations common to rural French communes, particularly those in less densely populated areas. The population trends demonstrate periods of growth and decline, likely influenced by broader economic conditions, agricultural changes, and rural-to-urban migration patterns that have affected many small French municipalities since the mid-20th century. The relatively small population places Villefloure among the numerous small communes that characterize the French rural landscape, where municipalities with fewer than 200 residents are not uncommon, especially in regions like Occitanie where the Mediterranean environment supports dispersed settlement patterns.

### Regional Context: Aude Department

The Aude department in which Villefloure is located represents an important administrative and geographical unit in southern France. Created on March 4, 1790, Aude encompasses diverse landscapes ranging from the Mediterranean coast to the mountainous interior of the Corbières and the Pyrenees foothills. The department's capital, Carcassonne, is renowned for its medieval fortified city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that exemplifies the region's rich historical heritage. The department is part of the Occitanie region, France's largest region by area, which stretches from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic coast. Aude is characterized by its wine production, particularly from the Corbières and Minervois appellations, as well as its agricultural diversity that includes fruit cultivation, olive growing, and livestock farming. The department's population distribution shows a concentration in the Carcassonne area and along the Mediterranean coast, with more sparsely populated interior regions where communes like Villefloure are located.

### Administrative Relationships

Villefloure maintains connections to several administrative entities that structure French local government. The commune belongs to the canton of Saint-Hilaire, an electoral district that determines representation on the departmental council. The dual arrondissement affiliation with both Carcassonne and Limoux reflects the administrative organization of the Aude department, where multiple arrondissements handle sub-prefectural functions. The commune of France classification, originating from the revolutionary period of 1789, establishes Villefloure as part of a system that includes over 35,000 communes across French territory. This hierarchical system creates a clear chain of command from local commune to canton, to arrondissement, to department, to region, and ultimately to the national government. Each level plays a specific role in administration, public services, and democratic representation.

### Cultural and Local Identity

As a commune in the Aude department, Villefloure participates in the distinctive cultural identity of southern France. The Occitanie region, to which Aude belongs, is characterized by its Mediterranean culture, the Occitan language heritage, and traditions that distinguish it from northern France. The department of Aude contains numerous historical sites, including the fortified city of Carcassonne, the abbey of Lagrasse, and various Cathar castle sites that reflect the region's complex medieval history. Local municipalities like Villefloure contribute to this cultural tapestry through their municipal traditions, local festivals, and connection to the agricultural heritage of the region. The website http://villefloure.free.fr/ provides a digital presence for the commune, allowing residents and visitors to access information about local services, events, and community matters.

### Connection to French Administrative System

Villefloure exemplifies the French approach to territorial organization, which balances local autonomy with national coherence. The commune system, established in 1789, created a uniform framework for local governance that replaced the varied administrative structures of the Ancien Régime. Each commune, regardless of size, maintains a mayor and municipal council elected by residents, providing local democratic representation. The system allows for significant variation in commune size and character, from major cities like Paris to small rural municipalities like Villefloure. This decentralized approach enables local adaptation while maintaining national standards for administration, taxation, and public services. The commune also participates in intercommunal structures, which group together municipalities to provide shared services such as water management, waste collection, and economic development initiatives.

## 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)