# Zellwiller

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21493](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21493)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zellwiller)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zellwiller

## Summary

Zellwiller is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Alsace region of northeastern France. The small rural municipality sits at coordinates 48.397777777778°N latitude and 7.4977777777778°E longitude, and forms part of the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein. With a population of approximately 808 residents, Zellwiller represents a traditional French commune in the historic Alsace territory.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name**: Zellwiller (also known as Zellweiler)
- **Location**: Bas-Rhin department, Alsace region, France
- **Administrative Division**: Arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein
- **Coordinates**: 48.397777777778°N, 7.4977777777778°E
- **Country**: France
- **Historical Territory**: Part of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) within the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) in the German Empire from 1871 to 1918
- **Population**: Approximately 808 residents (most recent figure from provided data)
- **Administrative Status**: Commune of France (territorial subdivision for municipalities, established 1789)
- **Department Creation**: Bas-Rhin established March 4, 1790
- **Website**: https://www.paysdebarr.fr/fr/les-communes/zellwiller
- **Wikipedia Title**: Zellwiller
- **Wikidata Description**: commune in Bas-Rhin, France

## FAQs

**What region and administrative area does Zellwiller belong to?**

Zellwiller is located in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region in northeastern France. It falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, which is one of the administrative divisions responsible for local governance and coordination of services in the area.

**What is the historical background of Zellwiller's territory?**

The Alsace region, where Zellwiller is located, has a complex historical background. The territory of Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace) was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire from 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War. Before this period and after World War I, the area returned to French administration.

**What type of administrative entity is Zellwiller?**

Zellwiller is classified as a commune, which is the smallest territorial subdivision for municipalities in France. The commune as an administrative unit was established in 1789 during the French Revolution, providing local governance and municipal services to residents.

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

Zellwiller is situated at latitude 48.397777777778°N and longitude 7.4977777777778°E, placing it in the northeastern part of France near the German border.

**How many people live in Zellwiller?**

According to the most recent data provided, Zellwiller has a population of approximately 808 residents. Historical population figures in the source material show numbers ranging from 729 to 812 over various recorded periods.

## Why It Matters

Zellwiller matters as a representative example of the small rural communes that form the backbone of French territorial administration. While modest in size, these communes embody the decentralized governance structure that characterizes France's administrative organization. The commune system, dating back to 1789, ensures that local communities maintain direct representation and autonomy in managing local affairs.

The municipality's location in Alsace places it at the crossroads of French and German cultural influences, a region that has played significant historical roles in European politics. The area's complex history—shifting between French and German control—makes communes like Zellwiller important markers of European borderland heritage and identity.

For those studying French administrative geography, Zellwiller serves as a data point in understanding the distribution of population, the structure of departmental governance, and the persistence of small rural communities in modern France. The commune's participation in the pays (regional community) through its website indicates ongoing efforts at inter-municipal cooperation for shared services and development.

## Notable For

- **Historical Borderland Location**: Situated in Alsace, a region with a unique history of alternating between French and German sovereignty
- **Part of Sélestat-Erstein Arrondissement**: Connected to one of the significant administrative divisions in the Bas-Rhin department
- **Commune Status Since 1789**: Part of the foundational municipal administrative structure established during the French Revolution
- **Rural Character**: Represents the small communes that constitute much of France's territorial geography
- **Inter-municipal Cooperation**: Connected to the pays (regional community) network through its official website presence

## Body

### Geography and Location

Zellwiller is a commune situated in the northeastern French department of Bas-Rhin, which is part of the Alsace region. The municipality's precise location is defined by coordinates of 48.397777777778°N latitude and 7.4977777777778°E longitude. This positioning places Zellwiller in the heart of Alsace, a region known for its rolling vineyards, picturesque villages, and proximity to the German border.

The commune falls within the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein, an administrative division that coordinates local government services and represents intermediate-level governance between the commune and the department. This arrondissement encompasses numerous similar small communes that together form the social, economic, and cultural fabric of central Alsace.

### Administrative History

The administrative framework of Zellwiller as a commune traces its origins to the French Revolution. The commune system was established in 1789 as part of the revolutionary government's effort to reorganize France's territorial administration on principles of uniformity and local representation. This system created the commune as the fundamental unit of local government, a structure that persists to the present day.

The Bas-Rhin department itself was created on March 4, 1790, during the initial reorganization of France into departments. This department encompasses the northern portion of Alsace and serves as the primary administrative unit above the commune level.

The historical territory of Alsace, including the area around Zellwiller, experienced significant political changes. From 1871 to 1918, following the Franco-Prussian War, the region became part of the German Empire as Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine). Within this imperial structure, the area was organized into districts (Bezirk), with Zellwiller's vicinity falling under Unterelsaß (Lower Alsace). After World War I, the territory returned to French administration, and the current departmental structure was restored.

### Demographics and Population

Zellwiller maintains a small but stable population. The provided data shows population figures fluctuating between approximately 729 and 812 residents across various recorded years. The most recent figure in the dataset indicates a population of approximately 808 residents. This population size is characteristic of rural communes in the Alsace region, where many municipalities maintain populations under 1,000.

The commune represents the traditional French model of small, locally-governed communities where residents maintain close ties to their municipality and its services. Such communes typically provide essential services including municipal administration, local schooling, and community facilities.

### Regional Context and Administration

Zellwiller operates within France's multi-layered administrative system. At the local level, the commune is governed by a municipal council and mayor. At the intermediate level, the arrondissement of Sélestat-Erstein provides coordination and administrative oversight. The Bas-Rhin department handles broader regional services, while the Alsace region (now part of the larger Grand Est region following administrative reorganization) manages regional planning and development.

The commune is connected to broader inter-municipal structures through its participation in pays (regional communities). The official website hosted at https://www.paysdebarr.fr/fr/les-communes/zellwiller indicates membership in a pays, which are voluntary associations of communes working together on issues such as economic development, environmental protection, and shared services.

### Cultural and Regional Identity

The Alsace region, where Zellwiller is located, possesses a distinct cultural identity characterized by a unique blend of French and German influences. This is reflected in local architecture, cuisine, dialect (Alsatian German), and traditions. The region is famous for its half-timbered houses, vineyards producing renowned wines, and annual festivals that celebrate this hybrid cultural heritage.

Zellwiller, as part of this regional context, contributes to the preservation of rural Alsace traditions while maintaining connections to the broader French national identity. The commune's small size allows for close community relationships and traditional rural的生活方式 (way of life).

### Modern Infrastructure and Services

Like all French communes, Zellwiller provides its residents with access to municipal services. The commune maintains administrative offices, likely participates in collective water management, road maintenance, and local planning. The presence of an official website through the pays network indicates integration into modern e-government services and regional information sharing.

The broader Bas-Rhin department and Alsace region provide additional services including secondary education, healthcare facilities, transportation infrastructure, and economic development support. The proximity to larger towns and cities in the region offers residents access to expanded services while maintaining residence in the smaller commune.

### Historical Significance

The history of Zellwiller is inextricably linked to the broader history of Alsace. The region's position on the Franco-German border has made it a strategic territory throughout European history. The period of German administration from 1871 to 1918 left lasting impacts on the region's infrastructure, administration, and cultural identity.

Following World War I, the return to France, and subsequently the period of Nazi German administration during World War II (1940-1945), the region finally returned to permanent French control. This history has made Alsace a symbol of European reconciliation and cooperation, with communes like Zellwiller representing communities that have successfully navigated complex historical circumstances to maintain their distinctive regional identity within the French Republic.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.dna.fr/edition-de-obernai-barr-rosheim/2016/10/21/25-ans-d-amitie)
2. [Source](https://www.bo.de/lokales/offenburg/fessenbach-und-zellwiller-feierten-25-jaehrige-jumelage#)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
6. INSEE code
7. répertoire géographique des communes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Annuaire de service-public.fr
10. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
11. Populations légales 2016
12. Populations légales 2017
13. Populations légales 2018
14. Populations légales 2019
15. Populations légales 2020
16. Populations légales 2021
17. Populations de référence 2022
18. Populations de référence 2023
19. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
20. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
21. GeoNames
22. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
23. [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)
24. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)