Historical provinces (historical regions) are 39 territories into which the Kingdom of France was subdivided until March 1790. After the French Revolution, the state was divided into departments in order to strengthen the power of Paris and reduce the role of provincial centers.
The historical names of the provinces of France are currently used by geographers, historians, archaeologists and ordinary French.
The province in France is also called a country, since there are only laws in its territory. If a general code of laws existed for several provinces, then one of them was part of another. For example, the province of Bress was part of Burgundy.
Historical provinces of France with their capitals
1. Ile de France with the administrative center of Paris;
2. Languedoc (Toulouse);
3. Poitou (Poitiers);
4. Dauphine (Grenoble);
5. Normandy (Rouen);
6. Provence with center - Aix-en-Provence;
7. Angumua (Angouleme);
8. Bourbonne (Moulins);
9. Lyonne (Lyon);
10. Mulhouse, a free city;
11. Burgundy (Dijon);
12. Anjou (Angers);
13. Champagne (Troyes);
14. Auvergne (Clermont-Ferrand);
15. March (Hera);
16. Artois (Arras);
17. Bordeaux;
18. Berry (Bourges);
19. Foix (Foix);
20. They (La Rochelle);
21. Orleans (Orleans) ;
22. Maine (Le Mans);
23. Picardy (Amiens);
24. Hainaut and Flanders with the administrative center - Lille;
25. Lorraine (Nancy);
26. Limousin (Limoges);
27. Franche-Comté with a center in Besancon;
28. Roussillon (Perpignan);
29. Nivern (Nevers);
30. Corsica (Ajaccio);
31. Coma-Venessen feud of the Papal region;
32. Savoy (Feud of Sardinia);
33. Alsace (Strasbourg);
34. Touraine (Tour);
35. Nice (Feud of Sardinia);
36. Bearn (Po);
37. Sentong (Saint);
38. Montbeliard feud of Württemberg;
39. Brittany (Rennes).
The most famous of them are Ile de France, Bordeaux, Alsace, Provence, Champagne, Burgundy, Corsica, Normandy, Nice.
There are currently no provincial divisions in France. The modern administrative structure of France is 96 departments with a population of 500 thousand to 1 million people. By the way, the names of the historical provinces of France have been preserved and are actively used both in the scientific literature and at the household level.
Historic areas in France most attractive for tourism development
All French provinces have their own flavor, each of them is attractive to tourists.
Those interested in the biography of Napoleon Bonaparte should definitely visit the island of Corsica (the historical province has the same name), where everyone can satisfy their curiosity and replenish their historical knowledge.
Fans of culinary tourism should visit the historical areas in France Provence and Champagne. In these areas you can try the most delicious dishes of French cuisine, the famous French cheese and wine.
For an active sea holiday, visit the French regions of Aquitaine, Brittany, Nice. These are typical resort historical areas in France that provide all the services for a comfortable stay on the Mediterranean coast.
History buffs should visit the provinces of Burgundy, Normandy, Bordeaux, Paris.
For lovers of ski holidays - the Pyrenees and the Alpine provinces.
Provinces in southern France
All southern historical provinces (regions) of France belong to the resort regions: Nice, Corsica, Provence, Toulouse, Avignon. In these areas, you can combine a pleasant vacation on the coast with fine French cuisine.
The service and tourist infrastructure is well developed here. These historical regions of France are most attractive to most tourists.
Northern historical regions of France
The northern territories of France are famous for ski resorts and historical tourism in the places of the main historical battles. Known for many military battles, the northern province of Lorraine. There are a huge number of memorials and monuments in honor of historical events.
The northern regions in France, Dauphine and Savoy, are areas of the French Alps, where the world-famous ski resorts are located.
Central provinces of France
The central territories of the country are attractive for lovers of relaxing leisure activities.
Auvergne is a historical region in France, which is famous for its picturesque landscapes and health tourism in thermal springs.
The province of Limousin and the city of Limoges are known for the production of porcelain, ceramics and enamel. Limousin is also called the center of green or rural tourism.
Berry Province is a center for rural and culinary tourism. In addition, a huge number of monuments of medieval art have been preserved in Berry. This place is very popular among the French: they often come here on weekends and holidays.
Province of le-de-France
The historical region of France, coinciding for the most part with the territory of Paris. Ile de France in translation means "Island of France". In 1961, the province was called the "District of the Paris Region", but in 1976 it was renamed in honor of the historical province - in le-de-France. 90% of the region is Paris. With a population of 12 million, this historical region is the most densely populated in France. Most of the population of le-de-France is Parisians.