In France, associated communes (French: communes associées) were created by the Commune Merger Act of July 16, 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 January 1, 2006, there were 730 communes associées in France. Most of those were created within four years after passing the Marcellin Act.