COMMUNE, the name given in France to a subordinate territorial division of the country, which in area may be considered as corresponding to the English parish. In other respects, however, they differ considerably—the commune being a division for civil and military purposes, and governed by a mayor, with one or more assistants and a certain number of councillors. Also, that our larger cities and towns comprehend several parishes, whereas those of France, with the exception of Paris, constitute only one commune.