Are you wondering how many prefectures there are in France? There are 101 prefectures in total. They are located all over France. The administrative prefectures are found in the capital towns of the departments. They manage local affairs.
In France, there are 96 prefectures in the main part. Then, in the overseas regions, there are 5. Recently, there have been changes due to a reform. Previously, there were 22 regions. Now, there are 13. This has changed the locations of the prefectures.
Definition of a prefecture
A prefecture is an important place for France. It is headed by a prefect. The prefect represents the State locally. In the prefecture, you will find the State offices. These offices are in the capital town of the department.
It manages their actions. It is also where the Departmental Council and the president are based. Normally, the prefecture is located in the same city as the department. Sometimes, it is a little outside of that city.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of territorial prefects in office | 124 |
| Number of territorial sub-prefects in office | 479 |
| Budget allocated to the "Territorial Administration" program in 2006 | 1.742 billion euros |
| Budget distribution: | |
| – Personnel expenses | 73% |
| – Operating expenses | 19% |
| – Investment expenses | 8% |
The prefectures help a lot. They work for the State, helping to keep people and their property safe.
They take care of public service and provide paperwork. They ensure that laws are respected. They help people find jobs and integrate. They fight against exclusion. And they help develop the economy.
How many prefectures are there in France?
France has a total of 101 prefectures. There are 96 department prefectures in the metropolitan area and 5 prefectures in the overseas territories.
Prefectures in the metropolitan area
The 96 department prefectures in the metropolitan area are located in the capital towns of the French departments. They are with the local administration.
Prefectures in the overseas territories
Distribution of prefectures by region
France has 13 metropolitan regions and 5 overseas regions. Each region has a prefecture. After the reform, there were 22 metropolitan regions, now there are 13.
Metropolitan regions
Each metropolitan region has a prefecture. Among these regions are Alsace (1,845,687 inhabitants in 2010, 222.9 inhabitants/km²), Aquitaine (3,232,352 inhabitants in 2010, 78.3 inhabitants/km²), or Auvergne (1,347,387 inhabitants in 2010, 51.8 inhabitants/km²).
Overseas regions
There are also 5 overseas regions. Corsica, for example, has 2 prefectures since the merging of departments in 2018. One is in Ajaccio and the other in Bastia.
Role and functions of the prefect
The prefect is the representative of the State in the department. He manages local state services. The goal is to enforce the laws on site.
He is also the head of the Departmental Council. This means he ensures that everything goes as planned, according to the rules.
This work is very important for the functioning of the departmental administration. It helps to implement the political actions of the government.
The prefect has several tasks to perform, such as:
- Ensuring that people and places are safe.
- Issuing identity cards and other official documents.
- Managing elections and local events.
- Checking if local decisions are made according to the rules.
- Organizing plans with other services to assist the population (employment, social aid, etc.).
- Distributing government funds to local projects.
In France, there are 125 prefects and 456 sub-prefects. They work hard every day. Their mission is to create better living conditions for everyone in the country.
How many prefectures are there in France?
There are 8 prefectures in France near the sea. They are located on the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, or the English Channel. Some of them are Nice, Marseille, and Bastia.
Ajaccio, Toulon, La Rochelle, Vannes, and Saint-Brieuc are also prefectures worth seeing.
Prefectures bordering neighboring departments
Additionally, some prefectures are close to other departments. This is the case for Alençon, Valence, and Mâcon. There are also Avignon and Nanterre which are between two departments.
The prefecture of Strasbourg is special. It is close to Germany, another country.
History and evolution of prefectures
French prefectures were created in 1790. Each department had its capital in the center. Thus, they could be reached in a day by horse. However, sometimes, the prefectures were far from the center of their department.
Creation of departments and prefectures in 1790
In 1790, France was divided into 83 departments. Each had its prefecture in the capital. This provided everyone with easy access to government services. However, sometimes, the location of the prefectures was not the most central.
Recent territorial reforms
In 2015, the country reduced its regions from 22 to 13. This changed the placement of prefectures on the map. Some prefectures, as well as the bordering prefectures, were moved to more convenient locations for everyone.
Interactive map of French prefectures
Imagine a detailed interactive map of French prefectures. It would help to see where these administrations are located in France. One could locate each prefecture, see its region, and learn about its history.
This map of prefectures would clearly show how France is organized. It would highlight the 101 departments and their prefectures. People would better understand the location of the prefectures.
An interactive map of French prefectures would serve as a guide. It would explain France and introduce each region. It’s a great tool to learn everything about France.
| Department | Area (km²) | Population (2009) | Prefecture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ain | 5,762 | 585,215 | Bourg-en-Bresse |
| Aisne | 7,369 | 541,278 | Laon |
| Allier | 7,340 | 343,370 | Moulins |
| Alpes-de-Haute-Provence | 6,925 | 161,668 | Digne-les-Bains |
| Hautes-Alpes | 5,549 | 141,945 | Gap |
Conclusion
France has 101 prefectures across the country. There are 96 in the metropolitan area and 5 overseas. These places are very important for the daily lives of people. They represent the State locally.
The significance of these places has changed over time. Recently, the number of regions was reduced from 22 to 13. This shows how the country is evolving.
Each prefecture is headed by a prefect. He ensures that the rules of the State are followed everywhere. In case of problems, they help find solutions.
It could be useful to have a map of the prefectures. A map with information about each location. This would help us better understand the country and its history.
