Bény (Ain): a rural commune in Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes, France

Geography and administration

The commune is one of many local municipalities that make up the modern region and the departmental framework. As a territorial collectivity it manages local services, planning and community life at a scale that is smaller than the department. Bény’s place in eastern France gives it a temperate climate and an environment used largely for agriculture and low‑density habitation.

Population and society

The inhabitants of Bény are known as Bénéens. In the early 21st century population counts recorded at municipal censuses indicated a community measured in the hundreds; for example the registered population in 2009 was 734. Local life is typical of small French communes, centred on the town hall, the church if present, and community activities tied to the agricultural calendar.

Economy and land use

The local economy is predominantly agricultural, with farms and associated businesses making up most employment and land use. References to the local economy emphasise crop cultivation, livestock and rural services rather than industrial activity. This rural economy supports a quieter residential character and seasonal rhythms connected to planting and harvest.

History, heritage and notable sites

Bény preserves elements of regional heritage. The most prominent historic building is cited as an important local monument; the designation helps protect architecture and inform conservation policy. Among recognized sites is the Marmont manor house, a classical manoir that has been formally listed as a monument historique, underscoring its cultural value.

• Important monument: locally valued heritage assets maintained through listing and protection.
• Marmont manor house: the manoir is officially recorded as protected, reflecting architectural and historical interest.
• Departmental ties: links to wider services and administration at the department level.

For further reading about Bény and neighbouring communes consult municipal notices, regional tourist information and departmental archives which provide maps, demographic tables and historical summaries. These sources place the commune within the pattern of rural settlement that characterises much of the Ain countryside.