Destination France
The most popular country in the world for tourists and travel.
Le Francophile's Destination France is a comprehensive guide to the diverse regions of France. From the rugged coast of Brittany to the iconic lavender fields of Provence; from the majestic Vosges mountains of Alsace to the famous oyster beds of Charente Maritime, we help visitors and Francophiles alike discover authentic French culture, heritage, geography, and gastronomy. Immerse yourself in l'art de vivre à la Française and see why France remains the world’s premier travel destination.
The Regions of France
France is divided into 18 administrative regions. Thirteen of these are located in Metropolitan France (mainland France and the island of Corsica). The other five regions are located overseas, known collectively as French Overseas Territories (DROM-COM).
Beyond the regions, the territory is further divided into 101 departments:
- 📍 96 departments in mainland France, numbered 1 through 95, plus Corsica (divided into 2A and 2B).
- 📍 5 overseas departments (which also function as regions): Guadeloupe (971), Martinique (972), French Guiana (973), Réunion (974), and Mayotte (976).
The 18 Regions and their Capitals
| Region | Capital (Prefecture) |
|---|---|
| Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Lyon |
| Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Dijon |
| Brittany | Rennes |
| Centre-Val de Loire | Orléans |
| Corsica | Ajaccio |
| Grand Est | Strasbourg |
| Hauts-de-France | Lille |
| Île-de-France | Paris |
| Normandy | Rouen |
| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux |
| Occitanie | Toulouse |
| Pays de la Loire | Nantes |
| Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | Marseille |
| Overseas Regions | |
| Guadeloupe | Basse-Terre |
| French Guiana | Cayenne |
| Réunion | Saint-Denis |
| Martinique | Fort-de-France |
| Mayotte | Mamoudzou |
Did You Know?
The 2016 Territorial Reform: Until January 1st, 2016, mainland France was composed of 22 regions. To streamline administration and boost economic influence, several regions merged to reach the current total of 13.
For example, Nouvelle-Aquitaine was created by merging Aquitaine, Limousin, and Poitou-Charentes, making it the largest region in France by land area. Understanding these divisions is key to navigating the modern identity of L'Hexagone.
Ready to Explore France?
Every region holds a secret; every village tells a story. Browse our detailed guides to plan your next authentic French getaway.
EXPLORE OUR REGIONAL GUIDES