The 101 French Departments - map of France

France department map

Carte département de France : organisation et divisions administratives

Visit map of French departments represents the administrative division of the country into 101 departmentsincluding 96 in mainland France and 5 overseas. This organization, set up in 1790 during the French Revolution, aimed to simplify territorial management and ensure greater equality between regions.

Organization of French departments

Each department is identified by a numberused for license plates and postal codes. These departments are grouped into regionswhich usually have more than one. For example, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes includes departments such as Rhône (69)the Haute-Savoie (74) and the Drôme (26).

French overseas departments (DOM)

In addition to the metropolitan departments, the map of French departments includes DOM : Guadeloupe (971), Martinique (972), French Guiana (973), Reunion Island (974) and Mayotte (976). These territories follow the same administrative framework as the départements of mainland France, although they have their own local specificities.

The evolution of departments

Since 2015, a number of mergers have modified the administrative organization, such as the creation of the Great Eastwhich brings together the former départements of Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne and Lorraine. Despite these changes, the departmental structure remains essential for the management of public services, transport and regional planning.

Whether for the geography, history or administrationthe map of French departments remains an essential tool for understanding the country's organization. 🗺️🇫🇷

Que découvrir selon les départements

Pour choisir un département, le plus simple est de partir de ce que vous aimez : la mer, la montagne, la campagne ou les grandes villes.

La Manche et la mer du Nord. From Pas-de-Calais to the Handle, on vient pour les grandes beaches, les falaises et les marées. La Sum a sa baie, le Calvados les plages du Débarquement et la Manche le Mont-Saint-Michel.

La Bretagne. In the Finistère, le sentier du GR34 reste une valeur sûre : un blogueur a raconté ses quatre jours autour de la presqu’île de Crozon. En été, prévoyez votre eau et réservez vos étapes. Le Morbihan mise sur son golfe et ses îles.

L’Atlantique. Visit Vendée and the Charente-Maritime plaisent aux familles et aux cyclistes. La Gironde a la dune du Pilat, les Landes leurs longues plages et leurs spots de surf, et les Pyrénées-Atlantiques le Pays basque.

La Méditerranée. From Var at Alpes-Maritimes, c’est la Côte d’Azur. Les Bouches-du-Rhône ont les calanques et la Camargue, l’Hérault and Pyrénées-Orientales la côte languedocienne et catalane. La Corse-du-Sud and the Haute-Corse mêlent mer et montagne.

La montagne. Visit Haute-Savoiethe Savoie and theIsère réunissent ski resorts en hiver et lakes en été. Les Hautes-Pyrénées and theAriege offrent un autre visage de la haute montagne. Pour plus de calme, le Jura or the Cantal sont de belles alternatives : une randonneuse a parcouru 75 km en quatre jours sur l’Échappée Jurassienne.

Campagne et patrimoine. Visit Dordogne and the Batch associent châteaux et villages de pierre. Sarlat est très fréquentée en été : pour plus de tranquillité, des habitués conseillent le Périgord vert ou Belvès. L’Indre-et-Loire ouvre sur les Loire castles, l'Ardèche sur ses gorges, et le Haut-Rhin sur la route des vins d’Alsace.

Les villes et les festivals. Paris, Lyon dans le Rhône ou Marseille se prêtent aux séjours courts, entre musées et bonnes tables. Certains départements vivent aussi au rythme de grands rendez-vous, comme Cannes en mai ou Avignon en juillet, dans le Vaucluse. Pour Avignon, mieux vaut chercher son logement dès janvier.

L’outre-mer. Visit Guadeloupethe Martinique, La Réunion, la Guyane et Mayotte offrent un dépaysement complet, entre volcans, forêts tropicales et lagons.

Vous hésitez encore ? Nos itineraries vous aident à relier plusieurs destinations en un seul voyage.

Where to stay on vacation in France's départements

Choose where to stay for vacations in France's départements is an essential step in organizing a stay that's just right for you, whether you're exploring coastal, rural or urban areas. Visit French departments offer an exceptional diversity of tourist accommodations, enabling everyone to find the ideal solution to suit their budget and travel style.

Choose from different types of tourist accommodation

Visit departments in France offer a wide range of tourist accommodations to suit every profile. You can easily find :

• Houses and villas by the sea in the French departments
• Downtown apartments in dynamic French departments
• Self-catering cottages in the heart of France's most natural departments
• B&Bs for local immersion
• Tourist residences with services
• From unusual accommodation in certain French departments

Every type of accommodation in the departments of France allows you to enjoy a different experience, depending on whether you prefer comfort, nature or proximity to tourist sites.

Each département has its own specific tourist attractions and accommodation offering: gîtes ruraux in Dordogne or in Ardèche, chalets in the Alps, campsites in the Vendée or seaside apartments in Brittany. Cette variété permet aux vacanciers de choisir un logement en fonction de leurs envies, qu’il s’agisse de nature, de culture ou de détente.

France's départements play a key role in the organization of tourism, by promoting their local heritage and developing appropriate infrastructures. So, whether you prefer to stay in the countryside, in the mountains or on the coast, the tourist accommodation in France are an ideal way to discover the regions and take full advantage of the unique identity of each département.

Direct rentals in French départements

Visit direct vacation rentals is an increasingly popular option. It allows you to book a property directly with the owner, without an intermediary, which fosters a relationship of trust and often more attractive rates.

In the departments of France, This practice offers several advantages:

• Reduced prices with no commission charges
• Direct contact with local residents
• A better understanding of the area and nearby activities

This booking method is particularly popular with French rural departments, where authenticity and human contact enrich the travel experience.

Solutions for owners

In the French departments, Today, owners of vacation rentals have many tools at their disposal to optimize the management of their properties and maximize their online visibility.

Among the solutions most frequently used in departments in France :

• Visit OTA (Online Travel Agencies) like Airbnb or Booking, which offer international visibility
• Visit channel managers, essential for synchronizing calendars across multiple platforms
• Visit PMS (Property Management Systems), which facilitate global booking and customer management
• Visit private rental sites, ideal for direct bookings in France's départements

Ces outils sont devenus incontournables pour les propriétaires souhaitant développer leur activité tout en optimisant leur taux d’occupation.

101 French Departments - Conclusion

It's clear that France abounds in opportunities for tourists, satisfying a wide range of preferences, desires and budgets. Each French department is unique, offering a wealth of attractions that highlight the diversity and splendor of France's heritage. Whether you're looking for natural escapades, cultural experiences, gastronomic delights or leisure activities, you're sure to find what makes you happy in one of France's départements.

So don't delay in exploring France's regional treasures. You won't regret it! To help you plan your trip, don't hesitate to consult the websites of the tourist offices in the départements that appeal to you, or visit the France Tourisme website for information, advice and offers to meet your expectations.

Have a good trip and see you soon!

FAQ

Combien y a-t-il de départements en France ?

La France compte 101 départements : 96 en métropole et 5 en outre-mer (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, La Réunion et Mayotte).

Pourquoi parle-t-on parfois de 95 départements ?

Les numéros de métropole vont de 01 à 95, ce qui fait penser à 95 départements. En réalité, il y en a 96, car la Corse, autrefois numérotée 20, a été divisée en deux : la Corse-du-Sud (2A) et la Haute-Corse (2B).

Quels sont les 96 départements de métropole ?

Ce sont les départements numérotés de 01 à 95 dans le tableau ci-dessus, en comptant 2A et 2B à la place du 20. Les cinq autres, numérotés de 971 à 976, sont en outre-mer.

Dans quel ordre sont classés les départements ?

Ils sont numérotés selon l’ordre alphabétique de leur nom, avec quelques exceptions dues à des changements de nom ou de découpage.

Which regions are the most popular with tourists?

France's most popular tourist regions are Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Brittany. Their varied landscapes, cultural and gastronomic heritage, as well as their beaches and seaside resorts are alluring.

Corsica, Occitania and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are also among the favorite destinations for summer 2021, according to Protourisme. But all French départements are worth discovering.

Which are France's least touristy départements?

The French departments attracting the fewest tourists are generally far from the coast and sparsely populated. According to INSEE, in 2019, the 12 least-visited départements included Creuse, Territoire de Belfort, Haute-Saône, Meuse, Gers, Ariège, Cantal, Drôme, Haute-Marne, Nièvre, Cher and Lozère.

These departments nevertheless offer treasures cultural, natural and gastronomic discoveries, as highlighted in various articles.