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Research on small towns in France has changed since the 1950s. The hypothesis is that its evolution is quite similar to that of geographical research in general. Papers were initially focused on monographic, regional and rural studies. Subsequently, over the past two decades, they have more frequently examined socio-cultural issues, in an increasingly urban environment. Even if research on secondary towns has never received the attention it deserves in urban geography, the small town has always been studied and is nowadays considered more and more as an interesting territory for cross-analysis of geography and space planning. Starting as a 'singular' territory, it has become a 'test' territory through the integration of urban issues such as economic strategies, social changes, heritage development or cultural policies.