Associated communes of France

In France, associated communes (communes associées) were created by the Commune Merger Act of 16 July 1971 (also called the Marcellin Act). It permits the formerly independent communes to maintain certain institutions, such as
 * a delegate mayor, a registrar, a criminal investigation officer
 * a mayor's office
 * a community center

On 1 January 2006 there were 730 communes associées in France. Most of those were created within four years after the Marcellin Act was passed.