Rives-d'Autise facts for kids

Rives-d'Autise is a special type of town in France called a commune. It's located in the Pays de la Loire region, which is like a large administrative area, and more specifically in the Vendée department, a smaller administrative area, in the western part of France. This commune was created on January 1, 2019, by joining two smaller towns: Nieul-sur-l'Autise (which is now the main town) and Oulmes.

What is a French Commune?

A commune is the smallest administrative area in France. Think of it like a town or village with its own local government. Each commune has a mayor and a town council. They manage local services like schools, roads, and public spaces. France has thousands of communes, and they are very important for daily life.

Regions and Departments in France

France is divided into different levels of government. Above the commune, there are departments. A department is a larger area, like a county in some other countries. The Vendée department is known for its coastline and history. Above departments are regions, which are even bigger areas. The Pays de la Loire region is one of the 18 regions of France. It's located on the Atlantic coast.

The Story of Rives-d'Autise

Rives-d'Autise was formed on January 1, 2019. This happened when two existing communes, Nieul-sur-l'Autise and Oulmes, decided to join together. When communes merge, they often do it to combine resources, save money, and provide better services for their residents. Nieul-sur-l'Autise became the main administrative center, or "seat," of the new Rives-d'Autise commune. This kind of merger helps small towns work together more effectively.