Luxembourg's 102 communes ( lb, Gemengen ;
French: ''communes''; german: Gemeinden) conform to
LAU Level 2
[Statec (2003), p. 9&10] and are the country's lowest
administrative division
Administrative division, administrative unit,Article 3(1). country subdivision, administrative region, subnational entity, constituent state, as well as many similar terms, are generic names for geographical areas into which a particular, ind ...
s.
Communes
An intentional community is a voluntary residential community which is designed to have a high degree of social cohesion and teamwork from the start. The members of an intentional community typically hold a common social, political, relig ...
rank below
cantons in Luxembourg's hierarchy of administrative subdivisions. Communes are often re-arranged, being merged or divided as demanded by demographic change over time. Unlike the cantons, which have remained unchanged since their creation, the identity of the communes has not become ingrained within the geographical sensations of the average
Luxembourger. The cantons are responsible for the ceremonial, administrative, and statistical aspects of government, while the communes provide local government services.
The
municipal system was adopted when Luxembourg was annexed into the French département of
Forêts
Forêts was a department of the French First Republic, and later the First French Empire, in present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. Its name, meaning 'forests', comes from the Ardennes forests. It was formed on 24 October 1795, after th ...
in 1795. Despite ownership passing to the
Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
, this system was maintained until it was introduced upon independence in 1843. The
province of Luxembourg, which now constitutes part of Belgium, was part of
Luxembourg
Luxembourg ( ; lb, Lëtzebuerg ; french: link=no, Luxembourg; german: link=no, Luxemburg), officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, ; french: link=no, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ; german: link=no, Großherzogtum Luxemburg is a small lan ...
prior to 1839 when it possessed a low degree of sovereignty. Due to Luxembourg's incorporation into the main country by its occupying powers, the modern municipal system in Luxembourg is less than two centuries old.
Terminology
Luxembourg has three official languages:
French,
German, and the national language
Luxembourgish. Some government websites also offer English versions
Authority
The communes have no legislative control over matters relating to the national interest, which reside solely with the
Chamber of Deputies. Below this level, however, they have wide-ranging powers. The communes provide
public education, maintain the local
road network A street network is a system of interconnecting lines and points (called ''edges'' and ''nodes'' in network science) that represent a system of streets or roads for a given area. A street network provides the foundation for network analysis; for exa ...
and other infrastructure, ensure basic
public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals". Analyzing the det ...
, and provide most
social security.
Communes also have discretionary powers for comprehensive
health care (including maintenance of hospitals and clinics) within their borders,
land-use planning, funds for cultural activities, provision of care to the elderly, and providing a sufficient supply of water, gas, and electricity.
Communes and cities
There are currently 105 communes in the 12
cantons. The 12 communes with city status are
Diekirch,
Differdange
Differdange ( lb, Déifferdeng or (locally) ; german: Differdingen) is a commune with town status in south-western Luxembourg, west from the country's capital. It lies near the borders with Belgium and France and it is located in the canton ...
,
Dudelange
Dudelange (; lb, Diddeleng , german: Düdelingen) is a commune with town status in southern Luxembourg. It is the fourth-most populous commune, with 19,734 inhabitants. Dudelange is situated close to the border with France.
, the town of Dudela ...
,
Echternach
Echternach ( lb, Iechternach or (locally) ) is a commune with town status in the canton of Echternach, which is part of the district of Grevenmacher, in eastern Luxembourg. Echternach lies near the border with Germany, and is the oldest town in ...
,
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette (; lb, Esch-Uelzecht ; german: Esch an der Alzette or ''Esch an der Alzig'') is the second city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the country's second-most populous commune, with a population of 35,040 inhabitants, . It lies ...
,
Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck ( lb, Ettelbréck , german: Ettelbrück ) is a commune with town status in central Luxembourg, with a population of inhabitants.
History
Until 1850, both Erpeldange and Schieren were part of the Ettelbruck commune as well, but both ...
,
Grevenmacher,
Luxembourg
Luxembourg ( ; lb, Lëtzebuerg ; french: link=no, Luxembourg; german: link=no, Luxemburg), officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, ; french: link=no, Grand-Duché de Luxembourg ; german: link=no, Großherzogtum Luxemburg is a small lan ...
,
Remich
Remich ( lb, Réimech ) is a commune with town status in south-eastern Luxembourg with a population of 3,645 inhabitants . It is the capital of the canton of Remich. Remich lies on the left bank of the river Moselle, which forms part of the borde ...
,
Rumelange
Rumelange ( lb, Rëmeleng ; german: Rümelingen) is a commune with town status in south-western Luxembourg, on the border with France.
Populated places
The commune consists of the following villages:
* Rumelange
* Haut-Tétange (lieu-dit)
Pop ...
,
Vianden
Vianden ( lb, Veianen or (locally) ) is a commune with town status in the Oesling, north-eastern Luxembourg, with over 1,800 inhabitants. It is the capital of the canton of Vianden, which is part of the district of Diekirch. Vianden lies on t ...
, and
Wiltz.
Creation of communes after independence
* On 1 July 1849 the commune of
Rollingergrund
Rollingergrund ( lb, Rollengergronn) is an area of north-western Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It forms the majority of the quarter of Rollingergrund-North Belair.
Rollingergrund was a commune in the canton of Luxembourg between 8 Ma ...
was created from the commune of
Eich by law on 8 May 1849
* On 1 January 1850 the commune of
Strassen was created from the commune of
Bertrange
Bertrange (; lb, Bartreng ; german: Bartringen) is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is located 6.5 km west of Luxembourg City.
, the town of Bertrange, which lies in the north-east of the commune, has a population of 6,02 ...
by law on 6 August 1849
* On 1 July 1850 the communes of
Schieren
Schieren is a commune and town in central Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Diekirch.
The town of Schieren, which lies in the west of the commune, has a population of . Schieren is served by a railway station.
Schieren was formed on 1 Jul ...
and
Erpeldange
Erpeldange-sur-Sûre ( lb, Ierpeldeng op der Sauer , german: Erpeldingen an der Sauer ) is a commune and small town in north-eastern Luxembourg. It lies along the river Sûre, between Ettelbruck and Diekirch. It is part of the canton of Diekirch. ...
were created from the commune of
Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck ( lb, Ettelbréck , german: Ettelbrück ) is a commune with town status in central Luxembourg, with a population of inhabitants.
History
Until 1850, both Erpeldange and Schieren were part of the Ettelbruck commune as well, but both ...
by law on 22 January 1850
* On 1 January 1851 the commune of
Walferdange
Walferdange ( lb, Walfer ; german: Walferdingen) is a commune and small town in central Luxembourg.
Geography
The commune of Walferdange is located north of Luxembourg City in the valley of the Alzette. It is part of the canton Luxembourg.
The ...
was created from the commune of
Steinsel by law of 25 November 1850
* On 1 July 1853 the commune of
Kopstal
Kopstal ( lb, Koplescht) is a commune and a small town in central Luxembourg. The towns of Kopstal and Bridel belong to this commune. Kopstal is a small town, with a population of 644 , located in a valley between forested hills situated beneath ...
was created from the parts of the communes of
Kehlen
Kehlen ( lb, Kielen ) is a commune and town in western Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Capellen. As of the February 1, 2011 census, the commune had a population of 5,048.
, the town of Kehlen, which lies in the centre of the commune, has ...
and
Steinsel by law of 22 February 1853
* On 1 July 1856 the commune of
Leudelange
Leudelange ( lb, Leideleng, german: Leudelingen) is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is situated in the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette.
, the town of Leudelange, which lies in the centre of the commune, had a population of 2,100.
L ...
was created from the commune of
Reckange by law of 3 March 1856
* On 1 January 1874 the commune of
Hamm was created from the commune of
Sandweiler
Sandweiler () is a commune and town in southern Luxembourg. It is located east of Luxembourg City.
As of , the town of Sandweiler, which lies in the south-west of the commune, has a population of . Other settlements within the commune include ...
by law of 20 December 1873
* On 30 December 1874 the commune of
Mertzig
Mertzig ( lb, Mäerzeg) is a commune and town in central Luxembourg. It is part of Diekirch Canton.
, the town of Mertzig itself, which lies in the centre of the commune, has a population of 1,439.
Mertzig was formed on 30 December 1874, when it ...
was created from the commune of
Feulen
Feulen () is a commune in central Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Diekirch, which is part of the district of Diekirch. The commune's administrative centre is Niederfeulen.
Towns within the commune include Niederfeulen and Oberfeulen
...
by law of 20 November 1874
* On 15 August 1876 the commune of
Schifflange
Schifflange ( lb, Schëffleng , german: Schifflingen) is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette.
, the town of Schifflange, which lies in the west of the commune, has a population of 9,332.
...
was created from the commune of
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette (; lb, Esch-Uelzecht ; german: Esch an der Alzette or ''Esch an der Alzig'') is the second city of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the country's second-most populous commune, with a population of 35,040 inhabitants, . It lies ...
by law of 6 July 1876
* On 25 September 1891 the commune of
Rumelange
Rumelange ( lb, Rëmeleng ; german: Rümelingen) is a commune with town status in south-western Luxembourg, on the border with France.
Populated places
The commune consists of the following villages:
* Rumelange
* Haut-Tétange (lieu-dit)
Pop ...
was created from the commune of
Kayl by law of 27 June 1891
Former communes
Since the country's creation in 1839, eight communes have changed their name and thirty-nine communes have been merged, resulting in the 102 communes that exist today. These defunct communes are listed in the table below.
Evolution of communes
The municipal system was created during the French occupation to mirror the systems employed in the rest of the
French Republic. These were overhauled in 1823, but the system itself was retained until independence, which was granted under the 1839
Treaty of London.
The law regulating their creation and organisation dates to 24 February 1843,
[ ] which was later enshrined in the
Luxembourgian constitution promulgated on 17 October 1868.
Upon independence, there were 120 communes. A series of mergers and partitions between 1849 and 1891 increased this number to 130. Most of these were brought about by asymmetrical population growth, as population growth in the south caused the balance of population in the country to shift. For instance, some of the communes born in that era include
Rumelange
Rumelange ( lb, Rëmeleng ; german: Rümelingen) is a commune with town status in south-western Luxembourg, on the border with France.
Populated places
The commune consists of the following villages:
* Rumelange
* Haut-Tétange (lieu-dit)
Pop ...
,
Schifflange
Schifflange ( lb, Schëffleng , german: Schifflingen) is a commune and town in south-western Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Esch-sur-Alzette.
, the town of Schifflange, which lies in the west of the commune, has a population of 9,332.
...
, and
Walferdange
Walferdange ( lb, Walfer ; german: Walferdingen) is a commune and small town in central Luxembourg.
Geography
The commune of Walferdange is located north of Luxembourg City in the valley of the Alzette. It is part of the canton Luxembourg.
The ...
. In the pattern of
Nordstad,
Erpeldange
Erpeldange-sur-Sûre ( lb, Ierpeldeng op der Sauer , german: Erpeldingen an der Sauer ) is a commune and small town in north-eastern Luxembourg. It lies along the river Sûre, between Ettelbruck and Diekirch. It is part of the canton of Diekirch. ...
and
Schieren
Schieren is a commune and town in central Luxembourg. It is part of the canton of Diekirch.
The town of Schieren, which lies in the west of the commune, has a population of . Schieren is served by a railway station.
Schieren was formed on 1 Jul ...
were also separated from
Ettelbruck
Ettelbruck ( lb, Ettelbréck , german: Ettelbrück ) is a commune with town status in central Luxembourg, with a population of inhabitants.
History
Until 1850, both Erpeldange and Schieren were part of the Ettelbruck commune as well, but both ...
.
Since the end of the
First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, during which Luxembourg was
occupied by Germany, the number of communes has dropped steadily. In 1920,
Luxembourg City was expanded, annexing four surrounding communes. Another wave of mergers took place in the 1970s when sparsely-populated areas in the north and west of the country were merged to form
Lac de la Haute-Sûre,
Rambrouch
Rambrouch ( lb, Rammerech or (locally) ; german: Rambruch) is a commune and small town in western Luxembourg, in the canton of Redange. It lies close to the border with Belgium.
Rambrouch was formed on 1 January 1979 from the former communes of ...
, and
Wincrange
Wincrange ( lb, Wëntger, german: Wintger) is a commune and village in northern Luxembourg, in the canton of Clervaux. The commune is the largest in Luxembourg by geographic area.
Wincrange was formed on 1 January 1978 from the former communes ...
.
2006 saw the creation of
Kiischpelt and
Tandel from four smaller communes, further reducing them to just 116.
2012 saw the creation of
Käerjeng,
Vallée de l'Ernz and
Parc Hosingen from smaller communes, and the merger of
Clervaux,
Esch-sur-Sûre and
Schengen into adjacent ones. Eschweiler was merged into
Wiltz in 2015.
Following the mergers of Boevange-sur-Attert and Tuntange into the new commune of Helperknapp, the merger of Septfontaines and Hobschied into the new commune of Habscht, and the merger of Rosport and Mompach into Rosport-Mompach in 2018, there are now only 102 communes.
See also
*
:Lists of communes of Luxembourg
References
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Communes Of Luxembourg
Subdivisions of Luxembourg
Luxembourg 3
Communes, Luxembourg
Lux