Arrondissement of Mâcon is an administrative division of France located in the Saône‑et‑Loire department, within the Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté region. Its prefecture (administrative seat) is the city of Mâcon, which also serves as the prefecture of the department.
Geography
- Region: Bourgogne‑Franche‑Comté
- Department: Saône‑et‑Loire (department number 71)
- Area: Approximately 1 213 km² (1 213.4 km² according to the latest official INSEE data)
- Location: Southern part of the Saône‑et‑Loire department, bordering the Ain department (Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes) and the Rhône department (Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes) to the east and south, respectively.
History
- The arrondissement of Mâcon was established on 17 February 1800, during the administrative reorganisation of France under the Consulate, alongside the creation of the Saône‑et‑Loire department.
- Over the centuries its boundaries have been adjusted several times, most notably during the canton reorganisation of 2015, which decoupled canton borders from arrondissement limits.
Composition
- Number of communes: 121 (as of the latest INSEE update in 2023).
- The arrondissement includes the following notable communes (selected list):
- Mâcon (prefecture) – the most populous commune and departmental capital.
- Bissy‑sur‑Fley, Cluny, Saint‑Léger‑les‑Vignes, Saint‑Rémy, Tournus, and Verdun‑sur‑Lez.
Demographics
- Population (2023 estimate): Approximately 213 000 inhabitants.
- Population density: Roughly 176 inhabitants per km².
Administrative Structure
- Prefecture: Mâcon (also the prefecture of the Saône‑et‑Loire department).
- Sub‑prefectures: None; the arrondissement is administered directly from the prefecture in Mâcon.
- Cantons (post‑2015 reorganisation): The arrondissement contains parts of several cantons, including Mâcon‑1, Mâcon‑2, Cluny, and others. Cantonal borders no longer necessarily align with arrondissement limits.
Economy and Infrastructure
- The arrondissement’s economy is diverse, with key sectors:
- Viticulture: Part of the famous Mâconnais wine region, producing Chardonnay and other white wines.
Industry: Light manufacturing, logistics, and agribusiness.
Services: Administrative services centered in Mâcon, tourism related to historic sites (e.g., the Abbey of Cluny) and river activities on the Saône.
- Viticulture: Part of the famous Mâconnais wine region, producing Chardonnay and other white wines.
Transportation
- Roads: Major national routes such as the N5 and N79 cross the arrondissement, providing connections to Dijon, Lyon, and Paris.
- Rail: Mâcon is served by the high‑speed TGV line (Paris–Lyon) and regional TER services.
- River: The Saône River facilitates inland water transport and recreational navigation.
Points of Interest
- Mâcon: Historic town centre, Musée des Ursulines, and the Saint‑Vincent Cathedral.
- Cluny: Site of the former Cluny Abbey, a major medieval monastic complex.
- Wine Route: The “Route des Vins du Mâconnais” traverses the arrondissement, showcasing local vineyards and châteaux.
References
- Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (INSEE) – official statistics on population and area.
- “Décret du 17 février 1800” establishing the arrondissements of the French Consulate.
- Official website of the Saône‑et‑Loire department.
All data reflect the most recent publicly available official sources as of 2023.
