According to the first source, Privas is the least populated municipality of the prefectures in France. It has only 8,541 inhabitants according to the latest census of 2021 by Insee.
Moreover, Privas, the capital of Ardèche, has a surface area of only 12.14 km². This makes it the smallest prefecture in France by area. Its small territory ranks it among the least extensive French prefectures.
This also leads the department to be one of the smallest prefectures in France by area.
Introduction to the smallest prefecture in France
The first paragraph talks about Privas. It is an important city. It is located in the south of the Coiron plateau. It is situated in the valley of Ouvèze, in the heart of Ardèche. This is located in France. Privas is also in the privadois basin and is part of the urban community of Privas Centre Ardèche.
Despite its small size, Privas is a large city. It is the prefecture of the Ardèche department. This is where important offices are located. It manages the laws and affairs of the region.
| Key Features of Privas | Data |
|---|---|
| Area | 12,14 km² |
| Population | 8,313 inhabitants |
| Administrative Status | Prefecture of the Ardèche department |
| Natural Region | Privadois Basin |
| Urban Community | Privas Centre Ardèche |
The city of Privas is small. But it plays a significant role in the region. It is the prefecture of Ardèche. It is a place where many important things happen for the region.
What is the smallest prefecture in France
According to the first source, Privas has the smallest population. There are only 8,313 inhabitants. This is after the 2021 census. Additionally, Privas is very small. Its size is 12,14 km². Thus, it is the smallest prefecture in France by size.
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Population of Privas | 8,313 inhabitants |
| Population Density | 704 inhabitants/km² |
| Area of Privas | 12,14 km² |
| Average Annual Temperature | 12.5°C |
| Average Annual Precipitation | 1,065 mm |
| Altitude | from 200 to 750 meters |
Privas is located at the edge of the Coiron plateau. It is in the valley of Ouvèze. This city is in a natural region and an urban community.
Characteristics of the prefecture of Privas
Privas is located at the foot of the Coiron plateau. It is in the valley of Ouvèze. It is important for the region.
It is also the center of the urban community of Privas Centre Ardèche. The city center is on departmental road n°104. It is a key place for visits. This road goes from Loriol-sur-Drôme to southern Ardèche.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Municipal Population of Privas in 2021 | 8,541 inhabitants |
| Population Density in Privas | 704 inhabitants per km² |
| Population of the Privas agglomeration in 2021 | 15,072 inhabitants |
| Total Area of Privas | 12.14 km² |
| Minimum Altitude of Privas | 200 m |
| Maximum Altitude of Privas | 750 m |
| Average Annual Temperature of Privas (1991-2020) | 12.5°C |
| Annual Temperature Range in Privas | 17.6°C |
| Average Annual Precipitation in Privas | 1,065 mm |
| Total Length of the Ouvèze, a tributary of the Rhône passing through Privas | 27.3 km |
| Length of the Mézayon, the main tributary of the Ouvèze in Privas | 13.5 km |
| Number of urban lines in the T'CAP transport network in Privas | 4 |
| Distance from Privas to the A7 motorway | about 15 km |
| Driving time from Privas to Valence | 45 minutes |
| Driving time from Privas to Avignon, Grenoble, and Lyon | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Driving time from Privas to Marseille and Montpellier | 2 hours |
| Driving time from Privas to Paris | 6 hours |
Privas has unique characteristics, particularly regarding prefectures in Guinea. This data speaks of its geography, population, and possible travels.
Other small prefectures in France
Did you know that Privas is the smallest prefecture in France? It is not alone. Other cities like Digne-les-Bains, Foix, and Mende are also small.
Digne-les-Bains, for example, has only 17,037 inhabitants. Foix has 9,761, and Mende has 12,177 inhabitants. These figures show that they are much smaller than other central cities.
These small cities face challenges. They need to attract more people and grow economically. But, they have strong advantages, such as beautiful natural places, exemptions for clean vehicles, and a rich culture.
They are also appreciated by tourists. Living in these cities is pleasant, thanks to the tranquility and warm welcome.
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