Arrondissements of the Doubs department facts for kids

The Doubs department in France is divided into three main areas called arrondissements. You can think of an arrondissement as a large district or a borough. Each arrondissement has a main town called a subprefecture.

If the main city of the entire department (which is called the prefecture) is located within an arrondissement, then that city serves as both the prefecture for the department and the subprefecture for its arrondissement.

These arrondissements are further divided into smaller areas called cantons and even smaller local areas known as communes.

What are Arrondissements?

An arrondissement is like a large administrative district within a department in France. It helps organize how the area is run. The main town of an arrondissement is called a subprefecture. It's where some local government offices are located.

Think of it like this: France has regions, regions have departments, and departments are split into arrondissements. These arrondissements are then divided into cantons, and finally, into many small towns and villages called communes.

The Arrondissements of Doubs

The Doubs department has three main arrondissements. Each one has its own capital city, population, and area.

• Besançon
  • The capital city of this arrondissement is Besançon.
  • In 2014, about 248,199 people lived here.
  • It covers an area of about 1,942.2 square kilometers.
  • This arrondissement includes 260 communes.

• Montbéliard
  • The capital city of this arrondissement is Montbéliard.
  • In 2014, about 176,670 people lived here.
  • It covers an area of about 1,255.7 square kilometers.
  • This arrondissement includes 169 communes.

• Pontarlier
  • The capital city of this arrondissement is Pontarlier.
  • In 2014, about 109,841 people lived here.
  • It covers an area of about 2,034.7 square kilometers.
  • This arrondissement includes 149 communes.

A Look Back: History of Doubs Arrondissements

The way the Doubs department is divided has changed a few times over the years.

• 1790: When the department was first created, it had six districts. These were Besançon, Baume-les-Dames, Saint-Hippolyte, Pontarlier, Quingey, and Ornans. Besançon was chosen as the main capital city.
• 1800: The six districts were reorganized into four arrondissements. These new arrondissements were Besançon, Baume-les-Dames, Pontarlier, and Saint-Hippolyte.
• 1816: The subprefecture of Saint-Hippolyte was moved to Montbéliard. This meant Montbéliard became the new capital of that arrondissement.
• 1926: The arrondissement of Baume-les-Dames was removed. This left the department with the three arrondissements we see today.

See Also

• List of arrondissements of France

Images for kids

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  Map of arrondissements of the Doubs department.