Définition
The municipality is the basic territorial community and the smallest French administrative subdivision. The mayor manages it. It has many powers by itself. It’s the largest collectivity in France.
The municipality is the administrative subdivision the oldest, because it succeeded the towns and parishes of the Middle Ages. It was established in 1789 before experiencing initial autonomy with the 5 April 1884 law, a municipality charter.
The mayor is the executive of the municipality that he represents and manages its budget. He employs the municipality's personnel and has local competence (schools, town planning, social action, streets, school transport, collection of household waste, sewerage, etc.).
He is also an agent of the State for the functions of civil status, public order, the organisation of elections and the issuance of regulatory titles.
At 1 January 2023, there were 34,945 municipalities, including 34,916 in Metropolitan France.