town hall of Saint-Genis-du-Bois

The town hall of Saint-Genis-du-Bois sits at the heart of a former commune now part of Porte-de-Benauge, in the Gironde department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It's a modest administrative building set in the rural landscape of Entre-deux-Mers, the countryside of vineyards and gentle hills stretching between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers southeast of Bordeaux.

Where is the town hall and how do you find it?

The building stands on Le Bourg, in the centre of the former village of Saint-Genis-du-Bois (postcode 33760). Before the merger, this was a tiny settlement — around 90 residents spread across just 2.3 km². Its coordinates place it at roughly 44.70°N, -0.17°E, in the rural belt of Gironde a short distance from Bordeaux as the crow flies.

Today the building operates as a mairie déléguée — a delegated town hall serving the residents of the former Saint-Genis-du-Bois within the wider administrative structure it now belongs to.

Why isn't Saint-Genis-du-Bois an independent commune anymore?

Since 1 January 2025, Saint-Genis-du-Bois has no longer existed as a standalone commune. It merged with its neighbouring commune to form the joint administrative unit of Porte-de-Benauge. Before the merger, Porte-de-Benauge counted around 530 residents across 1,800 hectares, while the incoming Saint-Genis-du-Bois added roughly 90 residents across 200 hectares.

Mergers of small communes like this one have become common across rural France in recent years. Facing shrinking populations and rising administrative costs, small villages increasingly pool their budgets and public services while keeping a degree of local identity through delegated-commune status and a functioning local town hall.

What does the town hall do day to day?

Even after losing its status as an independent commune, the building continues to serve as a point of contact for residents, handling basic administrative matters without requiring a trip to the main seat of Porte-de-Benauge. It keeps set opening hours across the week, with a midday break — a typical arrangement for small French mairies, where staff often split their time between several sites.

What is the Entre-deux-Mers region where Saint-Genis-du-Bois lies?

Saint-Genis-du-Bois and the wider commune of Porte-de-Benauge belong to the Communauté de Communes Rurales de l'Entre-Deux-Mers, a community of rural communes. Entre-deux-Mers is a historic area lying between two rivers — the Garonne and the Dordogne — best known for the white wines that share its name. The landscape here is one of gentle vine-covered hills, dotted with small villages, stone churches, and working farms.

For travellers exploring the Bordeaux area, Entre-deux-Mers offers a quieter alternative to the busier wine routes of Médoc or Saint-Émilion, with lighter traffic and a more direct feel of everyday rural life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saint-Genis-du-Bois still a separate commune? No. Since 1 January 2025, Saint-Genis-du-Bois has been a delegated commune within Porte-de-Benauge, formed by the merger of two previously independent communes.

Where exactly is the town hall located? On Le Bourg, in the centre of the former village of Saint-Genis-du-Bois, postcode 33760, in the Gironde department.

How many people lived in Saint-Genis-du-Bois before the merger? Around 90 residents across an area of 2.3 km².

What's worth knowing about the surrounding region? It lies in Entre-deux-Mers, a rural wine region between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, known for its white wines and quiet farming landscape not far from Bordeaux.