# Vongnes

> commune in Ain, France

**Wikidata**: [Q838515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q838515)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vongnes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/vongnes

## Summary

Vongnes is a commune located in the Ain department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France. Situated in the arrondissement of Belley, this small municipality sits at coordinates 45.814722222222°N latitude and 5.7241666666667°E longitude. As a commune of France, Vongnes represents one of the fundamental territorial subdivisions of the French Republic, a system established during the French Revolution in 1789.

## Key Facts

- **Location**: Vongnes, Ain department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France
- **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (type of municipal territorial subdivision)
- **Coordinates**: 45.814722222222°N, 5.7241666666667°E
- **Arrondissement**: Belley
- **Department**: Ain (French département, established March 4, 1790)
- **Country**: France
- **Commune Status Established**: 1789 (communes established as territorial subdivisions during the French Revolution)
- **Population**: Historical census data shows values ranging from 62 to 92 inhabitants across multiple census periods (73.0, 71.0, 77.0, 70.0, 77.0, 74.0, 86.0, 92.0, 89.0, 62.0, 76.0, 71.0, 71.0, 71.0, 71.0, 75.0)
- **Wikipedia Title**: Vongnes
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Ain, France
- **Sitelink Count**: 52 (indicating moderate cross-reference usage across Wikimedia projects)

## FAQs

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

Vongnes is located in the Ain department, which is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in eastern France. The department of Ain was established on March 4, 1790, during the early years of the French Revolution.

**What administrative division does Vongnes belong to?**

Vongnes is a commune—the smallest type of territorial subdivision in France for municipalities. It falls under the arrondissement of Belley, which is one of the administrative divisions within the Ain department.

**What are the exact coordinates of Vongnes?**

Vongnes is situated at latitude 45.814722222222°N and longitude 5.7241666666667°E, placing it in the southeastern part of the Ain department near the borders with neighboring regions.

**How many people live in Vongnes?**

Historical population data indicates that Vongnes has had varying population figures across different census years, with recorded values ranging from 62 to 92 inhabitants. The population values documented include: 73.0, 71.0, 77.0, 70.0, 77.0, 74.0, 86.0, 92.0, 89.0, 62.0, 76.0, 71.0, 71.0, 71.0, 71.0, and 75.0.

**What is the historical significance of French communes?**

The commune system in France was established during the French Revolution in 1789, replacing the previous administrative divisions of the Ancien Régime. This system created uniform municipal territorial subdivisions throughout France, each governed locally while remaining under the authority of the national government.

## Why It Matters

Vongnes, while a small commune, represents the foundational unit of French local government and administrative organization. The French commune system is one of the most decentralized administrative structures in Europe, providing local governance to communities of all sizes—from major cities like Paris to rural villages like Vongnes. Understanding Vongnes requires understanding this system, as each commune operates as both a territorial unit and a level of local self-governance.

The commune of Vongnes exemplifies the continuity of French administrative organization that began during the Revolution of 1789. This system has survived multiple regime changes, constitutional revisions, and political transformations, demonstrating its resilience and adaptability. For researchers and policymakers studying French decentralization, local governance, or territorial organization, Vongnes serves as a data point in understanding how the commune system functions at the smallest scale.

The Ain department's location in eastern France, near Switzerland and Italy, also gives Vongnes strategic importance within the broader context of Franco-Swiss and Franco-Italian border relations, though as a small commune, its direct role in international affairs is minimal.

## Notable For

- **Administrative Longevity**: Part of the French commune system established in 1789, representing over two centuries of continuous municipal organization
- **Wikimedia Presence**: Has a sitelink count of 52, indicating moderate visibility in the Wikimedia ecosystem
- **Historical Department**: Located in Ain, one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790
- **Regional Position**: Situated in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, one of France's largest and most economically significant regions

## Body

### Geography and Location

Vongnes is positioned at coordinates 45.814722222222°N latitude and 5.7241666666667°E longitude, placing it in the southeastern portion of the Ain department. This location situates the commune within the broader geographical context of eastern France, relatively close to the borders with Switzerland and Italy, though the commune itself is not directly on the international border. The terrain of the Ain department is characterized by a mix of plains, hills, and mountainous areas, as the department extends from the Jura mountains in the east to the Rhône river valley in the west.

### Administrative Structure

Vongnes operates as a commune—the basic unit of local government in France. This administrative category was established during the French Revolution in 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished the previous feudal divisions and created a uniform system of municipal territories. Each commune is governed by a mayor and a municipal council, though the extent of local authority varies depending on the size and resources of the commune.

The commune of Vongnes is part of the arrondissement of Belley, which serves as an intermediate administrative division between the department and the commune. The arrondissement of Belley encompasses numerous smaller communes in the southern part of the Ain department, providing a framework for regional coordination of state services, judicial administration, and electoral organization.

At the departmental level, Vongnes belongs to Ain, a French department created on March 4, 1790, as part of the initial 83 departments established during the French Revolution. The department takes its name from the Ain River, which flows through the region. Ain is part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, France's largest region in terms of area, which encompasses diverse geographical and cultural areas ranging from the volcanic mountains of Auvergne to the Alpine peaks of Savoie and the Rhône valley.

### Population and Demographics

The population data for Vongnes reveals significant variation across different census periods, with recorded values of 73.0, 71.0, 77.0, 70.0, 77.0, 74.0, 86.0, 92.0, 89.0, 62.0, 76.0, 71.0, 71.0, 71.0, 71.0, and 75.0. These figures, likely representing different census years, indicate a relatively small population consistent with a rural commune in eastern France. The fluctuations suggest that Vongnes, like many small rural communes in France, has experienced periods of population growth and decline, possibly influenced by broader demographic trends affecting rural areas, including youth migration to urban centers and changing economic opportunities.

### Historical Context

The establishment of communes as territorial subdivisions in 1789 marked a fundamental transformation in French administrative organization. Before the Revolution, France was divided into provinces, généralités, and various other jurisdictions that reflected historical boundaries rather than rational administrative principles. The revolutionary government sought to create a uniform, rational system based on geography, population, and administrative efficiency rather than historical privileges or feudal rights.

The department of Ain was one of the original departments created in 1790, named after the Ain River. The region had previously been part of the province of Bresse, along with portions of the Duchy of Savoy before territorial adjustments following various conflicts. The creation of the department represented a break with these historical divisions and established the framework for modern French local government that continues to the present day.

### Relationship to Connected Entities

Vongnes exists within a hierarchical administrative structure that connects it to larger territorial units. At the national level, it is part of France, a country with extensive overseas territories and global reach, as detailed in the comprehensive France entry. France's administrative organization is notably centralized compared to many other European nations, with significant authority residing in the national government in Paris, though decentralization laws since the 1980s have granted increased powers to local and regional authorities.

At the regional level, Vongnes is part of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a region created from the merger of the former Auvergne and Rhône-Alpes regions in 2016. This large region encompasses major cities including Lyon, Grenoble, and Clermont-Ferrand, and encompasses diverse geographical features including the Alps, the Massif Central, and the Rhône valley.

The arrondissement of Belley, to which Vongnes belongs, serves as an administrative unit for various state functions. Arrondissements in France typically handle electoral organization, court administration, and coordination of state services for groups of communes within a department.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

The Ain department maintains a distinct regional identity influenced by its geography, history, and cultural traditions. The region has historical connections to both Burgundy and Savoy, and the department's position near Switzerland and Italy has influenced its culture, economy, and demographics. The Bresse region, which includes portions of Ain, is particularly known for its agricultural products, including the famous Bresse poultry, which has protected designation of origin status.

### Wikimedia and Information Presence

With a sitelink count of 52, Vongnes has a moderate presence across Wikimedia projects, indicating that the commune is referenced in various Wikipedia language editions and potentially other Wikimedia properties. This level of visibility is typical for French communes of small population, which generally receive less attention than larger municipalities but still maintain basic encyclopedia entries documenting their existence, location, and basic characteristics.

## References

1. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
2. INSEE code
3. répertoire géographique des communes
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Annuaire de service-public.fr
6. Populations légales 2018
7. Populations légales 2016
8. Populations légales 2017
9. [Populations légales communales depuis 1968. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies](https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/2522602)
10. Populations légales 2019
11. Populations légales 2020
12. Populations légales 2021
13. Populations de référence 2022
14. Populations de référence 2023
15. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
16. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
17. GeoNames
18. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
19. [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)
20. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)