Pronounce Places in France
France is organized administratively into Regions, Departments, Arrondisements (refers to a subdivision of a department, and not a neighborhood in Paris), Cantons, and Communes. Each of these French terms has either an English Cognate (Region) or the pronunciation "Canton".
The political and geographic organization of France is different that ours in the United States. Regions (such as Alsace), departments (like Seine-et-Marne), and communities - which are roughly equivalent to cities and incorporated towns in the United States.
Names of French places can be tricky to pronounce, often seeming to defy all rules. Many place names are derived from older versions of the language incorporating regional dialects, local spelling and pronunciation. There are a number of sounds not found in English that are difficult for us to wrap our minds and tongues around.
The political and geographic organization of France is different that ours in the United States. Regions (such as Alsace), departments (like Seine-et-Marne), and communities - which are roughly equivalent to cities and incorporated towns in the United States.
Names of French places can be tricky to pronounce, often seeming to defy all rules. Many place names are derived from older versions of the language incorporating regional dialects, local spelling and pronunciation. There are a number of sounds not found in English that are difficult for us to wrap our minds and tongues around.
Regions
The largest administrative subdivisions in France are REGIONS, comparable in size to States in the United States, or Provinces in Canada, proportionate to the entire country.
There are 22 or 26 Regions. (again, depending on what you read). Regions existed in some form originally (pre-French Revolution), then were disbanded and replaced by departments, but in 1982 were brought back.
Perigord is the ancient name of the area that is now the department of the Dordogne (department 24) in the Aquitaine region in the southwest corner of France. Most French people refer to the area as the Perigord; most outsiders call it the Dordogne. There are four areas within the Perigord. Perigord Poupre, Perigord Blanc, Perigord Vert, and Perigord Noir (the area encompassing the most of the prehistoric sites and so-called because of the black walnuts grown in such profusion there.
There are 22 or 26 Regions. (again, depending on what you read). Regions existed in some form originally (pre-French Revolution), then were disbanded and replaced by departments, but in 1982 were brought back.
Perigord is the ancient name of the area that is now the department of the Dordogne (department 24) in the Aquitaine region in the southwest corner of France. Most French people refer to the area as the Perigord; most outsiders call it the Dordogne. There are four areas within the Perigord. Perigord Poupre, Perigord Blanc, Perigord Vert, and Perigord Noir (the area encompassing the most of the prehistoric sites and so-called because of the black walnuts grown in such profusion there.
* What we are calling the 3rd syllables of Auvergne, Bourgogne, Bretagne, and Champagne, are not really proper syllables and should be pronounced very lightly.
** 3rd syllable rhymes with "hat".
** 3rd syllable rhymes with "hat".
Departements
Subdivisions of Regions. Unlike Regions, Departements have elected officials. The national government appoints a representative to each departement, called a Prefet. Departements are given a two digit numerical code, which is incorporated into the postal code.
The entire country is divided into 95 or 99 departments (depending on what you read). Before the French Revolution, the country was divided into regions, but this was changed to make the more anonymous and smaller departments. In 1982, the French government brought back the regions, keeping the departments, but assigning groups of departments to a region.
* Rhymes with "hat".
** What we're calling the 3rd syllables of Dordogne, is not really proper syllables and should be pronounced very lightly.
*** The final "s" is sometimes pronounced.
The entire country is divided into 95 or 99 departments (depending on what you read). Before the French Revolution, the country was divided into regions, but this was changed to make the more anonymous and smaller departments. In 1982, the French government brought back the regions, keeping the departments, but assigning groups of departments to a region.
* Rhymes with "hat".
** What we're calling the 3rd syllables of Dordogne, is not really proper syllables and should be pronounced very lightly.
*** The final "s" is sometimes pronounced.
Communes (Villages, Towns and Cities of France)
Communes are the villages, towns and cities of France. There are 36,851 communes. The largest communes are Paris, Lyon, and Marseilles, followed by Toulouse, Dijon, Bordeaux, and Strasbourg. Only 52 communes have more than 100,000 inhabitants. It is impossible to include a pronunciation guide for every town and city in France here. The following selection is a list of some of the most popular destinations. Some of them are also names of other administrative areas.
* Try to pronounce in one syllable. If it's too difficult, "shahr-truth" is acceptable.
** Rhymes with "hat"
*** The second syllable basically duplicates the English word "sigh".
* Try to pronounce in one syllable. If it's too difficult, "shahr-truth" is acceptable.
** Rhymes with "hat"
*** The second syllable basically duplicates the English word "sigh".