Download a map of France with regions and cities in free, printable PDF format. This page includes labeled maps of the 13 regions of metropolitan France, regional capitals, major cities, and the 101 departments of France. You can also use these maps for school projects, geography lessons, travel planning, and educational activities.
Choose the map that suits your needs, preview the image, and use the PDF download link provided below each map. For the best printing results, select a paper size that keeps the labels readable.
France Map With Regions
A France map with regions shows the administrative divisions of metropolitan France. It helps readers identify the location of each region, understand regional boundaries, and locate important cities.
France has 18 regions in total: 13 in metropolitan France and five overseas. The 13 metropolitan regions include mainland France and Corsica. The five overseas regions are Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, and Mayotte. [1]
Our first political map of France shows the regions of the European part of the country. Two versions are available: one includes regional capitals and Paris, the national capital, while the other focuses on regional boundaries without capital labels.
Why Does France Have 13 Metropolitan Regions?
France reorganized its regional administration following legislation passed in 2014. The new structure took effect on January 1, 2016, reducing the number of metropolitan regions from 22 to 13. This change was intended to simplify regional administration and create larger administrative areas.
List of French Regions and Their Capitals
The following table lists the 13 regions of metropolitan France and their respective regional capitals.
| Region | Regional capital |
|---|---|
| Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Lyon |
| Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Dijon |
| Bretagne (Brittany) | Rennes |
| Centre-Val de Loire | Orléans |
| Corse (Corsica) | Ajaccio |
| Grand Est | Strasbourg |
| Hauts-de-France | Lille |
| Île-de-France | Paris |
| Normandie (Normandy) | Rouen |
| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Bordeaux |
| Occitanie | Toulouse |
| Pays de la Loire | Nantes |
| Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | Marseille |
These regional names and capital cities are useful reference points when reading a political map of France. Note that a regional capital is not necessarily the largest city in the region.
The Five Overseas Regions of France
France also has five overseas regions, each of which is also a department:
- Guadeloupe — Basse-Terre
- Martinique — Fort-de-France
- French Guiana (Guyane) — Cayenne
- Réunion (La Réunion) — Saint-Denis
- Mayotte — Mamoudzou
These territories are located outside mainland Europe, so they are not shown in the same geographic position as metropolitan France. Check the individual map’s coverage before using it for an assignment or reference.
Map of France With Regions and Cities
A map of France with cities combines regional boundaries with important urban locations. It is particularly useful for understanding where major cities are situated in relation to regional borders and administrative capitals.
The map below identifies cities associated with regional and departmental administration. Depending on the map’s labeling, it may show regional capitals, departmental prefectures, or other prominent cities.
Major Cities to Locate on a France Map
Some of the best-known cities to find on a map of France include:
- Paris — The national capital, located in Île-de-France.
- Marseille — A major Mediterranean port in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
- Lyon — An important urban and economic center in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
- Toulouse — A major city in Occitanie, known for its aerospace industry.
- Bordeaux — The regional capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
- Lille — The regional capital of Hauts-de-France, near the Belgian border.
- Strasbourg — The regional capital of Grand Est, near Germany.
- Nantes — The regional capital of Pays de la Loire.
- Rennes — The regional capital of Bretagne.
- Nice — A well-known Mediterranean city in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
This list is intended as a practical geographic reference rather than a population ranking. City populations vary depending on whether figures refer to the municipality, the urban unit, or the wider metropolitan area.
Departments of France
Departments (départements) are administrative divisions below the regional level. France has 101 departments: 96 in metropolitan France and five overseas. Each department belongs to a region, with special administrative arrangements applying to certain territories. [1][2]
Department codes are commonly used in administrative records, addresses, statistics, and geographic references. Many metropolitan department codes follow a numerical sequence, while Corsica uses the codes 2A and 2B. Overseas departments use codes beginning with 97, including 971 for Guadeloupe and 976 for Mayotte.
A map showing departmental boundaries is useful for distinguishing a department from a region. For example, Gironde is a department within Nouvelle-Aquitaine, while Rhône is associated with Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Map of France With Departments
A France departments map displays the boundaries and locations of the country’s departments. Depending on the map, it may include department names, codes, prefectures, or overseas territories.
Use this map when you need a more detailed administrative reference than a regional map provides.
How to Use Department Codes
Department codes are useful for geography exercises and for identifying administrative areas. For example:
- Paris is department 75.
- Nord is department 59.
- Gironde is department 33.
- Bouches-du-Rhône is department 13.
- Corse-du-Sud is department 2A.
- Haute-Corse is department 2B.
- Guadeloupe is department 971.
- Mayotte is department 976.
For an authoritative department list and current administrative information, consult France’s official statistics office, INSEE, or the French government’s public information website. [1][2]
Labeled Map of France in Europe
A labeled map of France in Europe helps readers identify the country’s position, neighboring countries, and major geographic landmarks. It is useful for school assignments, travel research, and learning European geography.
What Is France Famous For?
France is known for its cultural heritage, cuisine, architecture, fashion, art, and historic landmarks. Paris is home to internationally recognized attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe. Other famous sites include the Palace of Versailles and Mont-Saint-Michel.
The country’s regions also have distinct geographic and cultural characteristics. Bretagne is known for its Atlantic coastline and regional traditions, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur for its Mediterranean landscapes, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes for its mountains and Alpine destinations.
A regional map can help travelers connect these destinations with the wider geography of France.
Neighboring Countries of France
Metropolitan France shares land borders with eight countries:
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Italy
- Monaco
- Spain
- Andorra
France’s geographic position makes it an important connection between several parts of Western and Southern Europe. A political map of Europe can help readers understand these borders and locate France in relation to neighboring countries.
How to Print a Map of France
Follow these steps to print a clear map for study or reference:
- Choose a regional, city, departmental, or labeled map.
- Open the corresponding PDF download link.
- Select A4 or A3 paper, depending on the amount of detail.
- Use landscape orientation when it provides more room for labels.
- Select a high-quality print setting if department names and boundaries appear small.
- Check the printed map against an authoritative geographic source if you are using it for formal research.
Which map should you choose?
- For school projects: Use a labeled map with region names and capitals.
- For geography quizzes: Choose a blank map without labels.
- For travel planning: Use a city map alongside a current road or navigation map.
- For administrative research: Use a departmental map and verify the information against official French sources.
Printable maps are convenient for learning and reference, but they should not replace current navigation maps or official administrative datasets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maps of France
How many regions does France have?
France has 18 regions in total: 13 in metropolitan France and five overseas regions. The metropolitan regions include Corsica. [1]
What is the capital of France?
Paris is the national capital of France. It is also the regional capital of Île-de-France.
What are the 13 regions of metropolitan France?
They are Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Bretagne, Centre-Val de Loire, Corse, Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France, Normandie, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Pays de la Loire, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.
How many departments does France have?
France has 101 departments: 96 in metropolitan France and five overseas. [1][2]
Can I download a map of France with regions as a PDF?
Yes. Use the PDF download links provided in this article to access the available regional, city, departmental, and labeled maps.
What is the difference between a region and a department in France?
A region is a larger administrative division that contains departments. Departments provide a more detailed level of territorial administration. Some territories also have special administrative arrangements.
Which map of France is best for students?
A labeled regional map is useful for learning region names and capitals. A blank outline map is better for practice exercises, while a departmental map is suitable for more detailed administrative geography.
These maps are intended primarily for educational, geographic, and general reference purposes. For driving directions, live traffic, and precise navigation, use an up-to-date navigation service.
Reference links
https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/definition/c1696
https://www.vie-publique.fr/carte/270569-decoupage-administratif-de-la-france-les-departements
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8680653
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/8680659
https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4277596
https://www.service-public.fr/
https://www.geoportail.gouv.fr/
More Maps of France and the World
Here is a link collection for additional interesting resources about France, the European Union as well as the world and its continents. As with all our maps, they are free to download as PDF files and print.
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Blank Map of the United States
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