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What are the prefectures in France? Discover them here

22 Feb 2025·2 min read
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In France, there are 101 prefectures. Each department has its own. The prefect works there for the State. The prefects help to implement public policies.

The prefectures are on social media. They post weather alerts and advice online. You can follow them to stay safe.

What is a prefecture and what is its role?

A prefecture manages a department for the State. The prefect is its representative. He helps to carry out what the State dictates.

This helps coordinate the actions of the State where it is important. And he monitors what happens at the local level.

Essential missions of the prefecturesKey figures
  • Maintaining public order and the safety of people and property
  • Exercising the rights and freedoms of citizens
  • Controlling the legality of acts of local authorities
  • Implementing and coordinating local government policies (employment, social cohesion, land use planning, economic development, environment)
  • Managing and distributing state grants and subsidies at the local level
  • 124 prefects and 479 sub-prefects in territorial positions in France
  • 2.5 million driving licenses, 13.2 million vehicle registration certificates, 5.4 million national identity cards, and 2.9 million passports issued in 2007
  • 6.4 million acts of legality control and control of local budgets in 2007

The prefectures are super important for every region. They help wherever it is needed. And they ensure the well-being of all.

territorial administration

What are the prefectures in each French region?

Each French region has its own prefecture. It is the center of the regional state directorates. For example, for the Hauts-de-France region created by the merger of two regions, the regional prefecture is in Lille. This is where the regional prefect leads the regional services under his command. In Île-de-France, the main offices of the state directorates are located in Paris.

RegionPrefecture
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesLyon
Bourgogne-Franche-ComtéDijon
BrittanyRennes
Centre-Val de LoireOrléans
CorsicaAjaccio
Grand EstStrasbourg
GuadeloupeBasse-Terre
GuyanaCayenne
Hauts-de-FranceLille
Île-de-FranceParis
La RéunionSaint-Denis
MartiniqueFort-de-France
NormandyRouen
Nouvelle-AquitaineBordeaux
OccitanieToulouse
Pays de la LoireNantes
Provence-Alpes-Côte d’AzurMarseille

This table shows the regional prefectures in the new regions. They were born from the merger of the old regions. Each regional prefect guides the regional services under his control, including matters related to foreign residence permits.

Map of regional prefectures in France

Practical information about prefectures

Your appointment at the prefecture is waiting for you! Sign up at rendezvousprefecture.com. Receive emails and SMS as soon as slots open up. Prefecture information is easy to find online.

The prefectures share a lot of practical information on the web and social media. They detail the administrative procedures to follow.

Find out about the available prefecture services. Need a prefecture appointment or other information? The teams are ready to help you.

If needed, call your prefecture. This is possible on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. From 9 AM to 12 PM, and from 2 PM to 4:30 PM. There are also digital kiosks to assist you on-site.

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