Departments of France

Very rural part of France, centralized around the market town of Bourg en Bresse.

With an almost English climate, the agriculture dominates the activities, especially cereal crops.

Named after the river Allier which flows into the Loire.

The most productive agricultural area of the Auvergne, with a limited wine production.

Mountain region with peaks over 2500m, very dry and arid. The local industry is dependant on fruit orchards, dairy cattle and tourism.

This department has the famous coastline on the Mediterranean sea, with the well know towns of Cannes, Nice, Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, Antibes and Monaco.

The rivers and stream have made the Ardeche famous to all canoe and kayak fans.

With the Belgium frontier, the very dense woodlands, river Meuse and the Ardennes is a very interesting area.

To the south east of Paris and named after the river Aube which flows into the Seine.

In southern France on the Mediterranean coast.

The heart of the Cathare world. With Carcassonne as the capital. An area with rich historical importance, located between the sea and mountains.

Located inland of south west of France.

The most eastern part of France, with a frontier on Germany created by the river Rhine. Strasbourg is the capital and also a very important French City, the European parliament is seated here.

Situated in the north west of France.

The beaches were used for the D-Day landings during the Second World War. Famous for the fine wine Calvados made from apples.

Famous for the cheese, the Chantalis also a very picturesque area.

In western France. Wonderful country side, with many rivers, old mills and small villages.

Situated in south west France and facing the Atlantic ocean, the port of La Rochelle is a major landmark and destination for this coastal area.

This is the physical centre of France.

Located in central France and named after the river Cher.

The department used to called the Berry. On the Western side of the Loire river, there are many Chateaux. The main city of Bourges has a very good annual musical festival.

Towards the south west of France, this department is in the heart of the Massive Central, there is much countryside and agriculture.

The southern part of Corsica.

The Golden Hills.This french department is rich in history and culture. The main Burgundy wines are to be found here between Dijon and Beaune.

The Cotes d'Armor look towards sourthern England and the English channel.

Named after the river Creuse which flows into the Loire, the Creuse leaves steep sided valleys and villages perched on hill tops.

Located towards the west of France, inland from the Atlantic.

In the south west of France, named after the river Dordogne which flows into the Atlantic. After playing an important role in the Hundred years war, between France and England, the Dordgne has become a gentle and calm area.

named after the river Doubs in eastern France. This is the start of the main mountain region of France, the Doubs marks the beginnings of the Jura hills.

The Drome lies below the main mountain regions of the Alps and east bank of the Rhone river in the southern part of France.

Now part of the suburbs of Paris.

In north western part of France on the south bank of the river Seine.

To the south west of Paris., named after the two rivers Eure et Loir (no the Loire).

The wild and rocky Brittany coast, pointing towards the Atlantic ocean.

Towards the south of France on the west bank of the river Rhone.

Calm and countryside, a very agreeable part of southern France.

The largest department and located on the Atlantic coast in southern France. The population who are not located within the major cities are inevitable involved with the wine industry.

The southern part of Alsace on the banks of the river Rhine.

The Haute Corse is the northern department of Corsica.

In southern France with a narrow border in the mountains with Spain.

The high land of the Massif Central, where the Loire begins to accumulate importance, before its long journey north and then westwards through the heart of France.

In eastern France.

As the name suggest, the Hautes Alpes are part of the highlands of France. With mountains over 4000 meters high. The famous route de Napoleon passes through the town of Gap.

Now part of the suburbs of Paris.

This department is located on the Mediterranean cost wit the Gulf of Lyon.

Numerous castles and interesting area for hunters and fishermen.

The river Indre flows into the Loire.

The university city of Grenoble is the capital of this deparment.

Mountains and lakes in a very beautiful French area. In the lower area there is are fine wines produced at Arbois and Poligny

coastal area with much woodland and forest inland.

Once a very important textile production.

The river Loire meanders through the Loiret, situated to the south of Paris. The capital city is Orleans which holds a special place in history for the French People as this is the home town for Joan of Arc.

Named after the river Lot, this is an area with much history.

The Manche is also the French name for the English Channel. This department is almost a peninsular and points to the North-West below England.

In western France and part of the region called Pays de Loire.

This department is in the north east of France.

The Meuse is in eastern France and is named after the river, which flows north into Belgium.

A quite area of central France, rich in cereal and crop farming.

The small city of Nevers climbs out of the hilly countryside and looks towards the Loire river.

The most northern department of France, with the English Channel and Belgium as frontiers.

Named after the river Oise and now part of the suburbs of Paris.

The capital of France, Paris, city of lights, art, history and romance. The famous monuments such as the Eiffel tower, Louvre, Notre Dame and the river Seine attract millions of people.

From fashion to restaurants to perfumes and shopping boulevards, wealth and curious people spend time and money on the streets such as "Champs-Elysées" and "Foche".

This coastal area has excellent maritime, rail and road networks, but the recent industrial years have left this region with a high unemployment rate.

This is the most southern department on the Atlantic coast and borders with Spain.

The most eastern side of the Pyrenees, with a frontier with Spain.

Famous for the river Rhone and wines, there is also much industry along the river banks.

The river Saône provides an important communication liaison.

The area is named after the river Sarthe which flows into the Loire.

To the south-east of Paris, a very densely populated area.

An important coast line with the ports of Le Havre and Dieppe, the southern boundary with the department of the Eure is defined by the river Seine.

Now part of the suburbs of Paris.

Historically important with the huge military cemeteries from the Great War, there are many monuments to soldiers from many countries.

Named after the the river Tarn.

To the south the hills rise with the Pyrenees mountains. The convergence of the rivers Tarn, Garonne and Aveyron, with step valleys, the Midi canal and a very rich history add a touch of magic to the area.

The smallest department in France, on the border of Alsace and a few files from Switzerland. A town which was of great strategic importance during the two World Wars.

Now part of the suburbs of Paris.

Suburbs of Paris, with a high development. Plus Disney land...

The Mediterranean coast with the famous villages of Saint Tropez, Saint Raphael, Antibes are in this 200 mile long coastal area.

In the southern part of France, with the Rhone River on the west and the Alps to the east.

On the Atlantic coast, this area has much to offer to all sailors and boating fans. From the Sables de Olonne to La Roche-sur-Yon.

The capital of Poitiers has played a very important role in French history. The two main rivers are the Vienne and the Clain.

Famous for the huge forest and wood industries.

Named after the river Yonne, which flows into the Seine.

Parisian suburb with high population density, situated to the south west of Paris.