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Geography of France

Rivers, mountains, borders, regions, cities, overseas territories: the geography of France in questions.

47 questions · Updated on 2026-10-28

In the exam, the questions are in French: the translation is an aid to help you understand.

Quel pays ou région du monde a été colonisé par la France ?

Which country or region of the world was colonised by France?

  1. AnswerL'AlgérieAlgeria
  2. Le JaponJapan
  3. L'AustralieAustralia
  4. La NorvègeNorway
Explanation Algeria was conquered by the French army in 1830. It became independent in 1962, after the Algerian War (1954-1962).

Source : Le territoire français dans le temps (1/2) · Official lists: CSP

Quel fleuve coule en France ?

Which river flows in France?

  1. Le DanubeThe Danube
  2. AnswerLa LoireThe Loire
  3. Le NilThe Nile
  4. La TamiseThe Thames
Explanation The Loire is the longest river in France (1,020 km). It rises in the Massif Central and flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Metropolitan France has five major rivers.

Source : Les fleuves français · Official lists: CSP

Quelle ville est française ?

Which city is French?

  1. BruxellesBrussels
  2. MilanMilan
  3. AnswerLyonLyon
  4. GenèveGeneva
Explanation Lyon is a major French city: the Greater Lyon Metropolis has about 1.4 million inhabitants. Brussels is in Belgium, Geneva in Switzerland and Milan in Italy.

Source : La France : aire urbaine et métropolisation · Official lists: CSP

Quel océan borde la côte ouest française ?

Which ocean borders the west coast of France?

  1. L'océan IndienThe Indian Ocean
  2. L'océan ArctiqueThe Arctic Ocean
  3. L'océan PacifiqueThe Pacific Ocean
  4. AnswerL'océan AtlantiqueThe Atlantic Ocean
Explanation To the west, France is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. Its other coasts are the North Sea and the English Channel to the north-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CSP

Qu'est-ce que Paris ?

What is Paris?

  1. Une ville de BelgiqueA city in Belgium
  2. AnswerLa capitale de la FranceThe capital of France
  3. Le plus long fleuve de FranceThe longest river in France
  4. Un département d'outre-merAn overseas department
Explanation Paris is the capital of France and the prefecture of Île-de-France, the most populated region (about 12.4 million inhabitants). It is the political and economic heart of the country.

Source : Île-de-France · Official lists: CSP

Quelle est la capitale de la France ?

What is the capital of France?

  1. AnswerParisParis
  2. BordeauxBordeaux
  3. LyonLyon
  4. MarseilleMarseille
Explanation Paris is the capital of France. It is in Île-de-France, the political, economic and administrative heart of the country. Marseille and Lyon are other major cities.

Source : Île-de-France · Official lists: CSP

Sur quel continent se situe la France métropolitaine ?

On which continent is metropolitan France located?

  1. L'AfriqueAfrica
  2. L'AmériqueAmerica
  3. AnswerL'EuropeEurope
  4. L'AsieAsia
Explanation Metropolitan France (the Hexagon) is in western Europe. Its overseas territories are elsewhere in the world, such as French Guiana in South America.

Source : La France dans l'Europe · Official lists: CSP

Combien y a-t-il de régions en France métropolitaine ?

How many regions are there in metropolitan France?

  1. 1818
  2. 2222
  3. Answer1313
  4. 9696
Explanation France has 18 regions: 13 in metropolitan France and 5 overseas. It also has 101 departments: 96 in metropolitan France and 5 overseas.

Source : Le territoire de la France · Official lists: CSP, Naturalisation

Quelle ville est un grand port maritime ?

Which city is a major seaport?

  1. ToulouseToulouse
  2. LyonLyon
  3. Clermont-FerrandClermont-Ferrand
  4. AnswerMarseilleMarseille
Explanation Marseille is one of the 7 major seaports of metropolitan France, with Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rouen, Nantes Saint-Nazaire, La Rochelle and Bordeaux. They are run by the State.

Source : Les ports français · Official lists: CSP

Quelle est la mer au sud de la France métropolitaine ?

Which sea lies to the south of metropolitan France?

  1. La mer du NordThe North Sea
  2. AnswerLa mer MéditerranéeThe Mediterranean Sea
  3. La MancheThe English Channel
  4. La mer des CaraïbesThe Caribbean Sea
Explanation To the south, metropolitan France is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, with cities such as Marseille, Nice and Montpellier. Corsica is also in the Mediterranean.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CSP

Quelle ville est située au bord de la mer Méditerranée ?

Which city is on the Mediterranean coast?

  1. AnswerNiceNice
  2. LilleLille
  3. BordeauxBordeaux
  4. BrestBrest
Explanation Nice is on the Côte d'Azur, on the Mediterranean; its metropolis has about 575,000 inhabitants. Brest is on the Atlantic, Bordeaux on the Garonne and Lille in the north.

Source : La France : aire urbaine et métropolisation · Official lists: CSP

Où se situe la Corse ?

Where is Corsica?

  1. Dans l'océan Indien, près de MadagascarIn the Indian Ocean, near Madagascar
  2. AnswerDans la mer MéditerranéeIn the Mediterranean Sea
  3. Dans l'océan AtlantiqueIn the Atlantic Ocean
  4. Dans la MancheIn the English Channel
Explanation Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean, south-east of mainland France. It has 2 departments, Corse-du-Sud and Haute-Corse. Ajaccio is its prefecture.

Source : Corse · Official lists: CSP

Quelle chaîne de montagnes est située entre la France et l'Italie ?

Which mountain range lies between France and Italy?

  1. Le JuraThe Jura
  2. Les VosgesThe Vosges
  3. Les PyrénéesThe Pyrenees
  4. AnswerLes AlpesThe Alps
Explanation The Alps mark the border between France and Italy, and partly with Switzerland. The Pyrenees separate France from Spain.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CSP, Naturalisation

Quel pays a été colonisé par la France ?

Which country was colonised by France?

  1. La FinlandeFinland
  2. L'AustralieAustralia
  3. Le PérouPeru
  4. AnswerLe SénégalSenegal
Explanation Senegal was part of French West Africa (AOF), created in 1895. Like France's other colonies in sub-Saharan Africa, it became independent in 1960.

Source : Le territoire français dans le temps (1/2) · Official lists: CR

Quelle mer ou océan borde la France métropolitaine ?

Which sea or ocean borders metropolitan France?

  1. L'océan PacifiqueThe Pacific Ocean
  2. La mer NoireThe Black Sea
  3. AnswerL'océan AtlantiqueThe Atlantic Ocean
  4. La mer BaltiqueThe Baltic Sea
Explanation Metropolitan France has more than 5,500 km of coastline, on the English Channel, the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Source : La France dans l'Europe · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation

Quel pays a une frontière terrestre avec la France métropolitaine ?

Which country shares a land border with metropolitan France?

  1. AnswerL'EspagneSpain
  2. Les Pays-BasThe Netherlands
  3. L'AutricheAustria
  4. Le PortugalPortugal
Explanation In Europe, France has land borders with 8 countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra and Monaco.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CR

Quelle ville française est un port maritime ?

Which French city is a seaport?

  1. DijonDijon
  2. AnswerLe HavreLe Havre
  3. LyonLyon
  4. GrenobleGrenoble
Explanation Le Havre, where the Seine flows into the English Channel, is one of the 7 major seaports of metropolitan France. Lyon, Dijon and Grenoble are far from the sea.

Source : Les ports français · Official lists: CR

Quelle mer se situe entre la France et l'Angleterre ?

Which sea lies between France and England?

  1. La mer MéditerranéeThe Mediterranean Sea
  2. AnswerLa MancheThe English Channel
  3. La mer NoireThe Black Sea
  4. La mer BaltiqueThe Baltic Sea
Explanation The English Channel (la Manche) separates France from England, to the north-west. It borders Normandy, and the Seine flows into it at Le Havre.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CR

Qu'est ce que la France d'outre-mer ?

What is overseas France?

  1. Les pays étrangers où l'on parle françaisForeign countries where French is spoken
  2. Les îles françaises de la MancheFrench islands in the English Channel
  3. Les anciennes colonies devenues indépendantesFormer colonies that became independent
  4. AnswerLes territoires français situés hors d'EuropeFrench territories outside Europe
Explanation Overseas France covers French territories outside Europe: 5 DROMs (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte) and communities such as French Polynesia.

Source : Le territoire de la France · Official lists: CR

Quelle chaîne de montagnes est située entre la France et l’Espagne ?

Which mountain range lies between France and Spain?

  1. Les VosgesThe Vosges
  2. Les AlpesThe Alps
  3. AnswerLes PyrénéesThe Pyrenees
  4. Le Massif centralThe Massif Central
Explanation The Pyrenees form a mountain barrier between France and Spain, in the south. The Alps mark the border with Italy.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CR

Quelle île française se trouve dans l'océan Indien ?

Which French island is in the Indian Ocean?

  1. AnswerLa RéunionRéunion
  2. La MartiniqueMartinique
  3. La CorseCorsica
  4. La GuadeloupeGuadeloupe
Explanation Réunion is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Mayotte is also in this ocean. Guadeloupe and Martinique are in the Caribbean.

Source : La Réunion · Official lists: CR

Quelle est la population approximative de la France en 2025 ?

What is the approximate population of France in 2025?

  1. Environ 35 millionsAbout 35 million
  2. Environ 6 millionsAbout 6 million
  3. Environ 120 millionsAbout 120 million
  4. AnswerEnviron 68 millionsAbout 68 million
Explanation On 1 January 2025, France had 68.6 million inhabitants: 66.4 million in mainland France and 2.3 million in the overseas departments. It is Europe's 2nd most populous country, after Germany.

Source : La démographie française · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation

Quel fleuve traverse Paris ?

Which river flows through Paris?

  1. La GaronneThe Garonne
  2. AnswerLa SeineThe Seine
  3. Le RhôneThe Rhône
  4. La LoireThe Loire
Explanation The Seine (776 km) flows through Troyes, Paris, Rouen and Le Havre, then into the English Channel. The Loire runs through Orléans and Nantes, the Rhône through Lyon, the Garonne through Toulouse and Bordeaux.

Source : Les fleuves français · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation

Lequel de ces pays partage des frontières terrestres avec la France ?

Which of these countries shares land borders with France?

  1. AnswerLa BelgiqueBelgium
  2. La PolognePoland
  3. Le DanemarkDenmark
  4. L'IrlandeIreland
Explanation France has land borders with 8 European countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Andorra and Monaco. Through French Guiana, it also borders Brazil and Suriname.

Source : La France dans l'Europe · Official lists: CR

Quel pays a une frontière avec la France métropolitaine au nord-est ?

Which country borders metropolitan France to the north-east?

  1. L'ItalieItaly
  2. Le PortugalPortugal
  3. AnswerL'AllemagneGermany
  4. L'EspagneSpain
Explanation To the north-east, France borders Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. The Rhine separates France and Germany along part of the border. Spain is to the south, Italy to the south-east.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: CR

Où se trouvent les principales activités économiques en France ?

Where are the main economic activities located in France?

  1. Dans les zones de montagneIn mountain areas
  2. Dans les campagnesIn the countryside
  3. Dans les territoires d'outre-merIn the overseas territories
  4. AnswerDans les grandes métropolesIn the large metropolitan areas
Explanation People, economic activities, jobs and services are concentrated in the big metropolitan areas, such as Greater Paris, Lyon or Marseille: this is called metropolisation.

Source : La France : aire urbaine et métropolisation · Official lists: CR

Parmi ces pays, lequel attire le plus de visiteurs chaque année ?

Which of these countries attracts the most visitors each year?

  1. Le PortugalPortugal
  2. La BelgiqueBelgium
  3. AnswerLa FranceFrance
  4. L'AllemagneGermany
Explanation France is the world's top tourist destination, with more than 100 million visitors in 2024. Tourism accounts for 8% of GDP and more than 2 million jobs.

Source : Une puissance touristique · Official lists: CR

Où habite la majorité des Français ?

Where do most French people live?

  1. À la montagneIn the mountains
  2. AnswerEn villeIn towns and cities
  3. En outre-merOverseas
  4. À la campagneIn the countryside
Explanation About 81% of the population lives in towns and cities, especially large urban areas like Paris, Lyon and Marseille. The Massif Central and rural areas of the north-east are sparsely populated.

Source : La démographie française · Official lists: CR

Quelle région est la plus peuplée ?

Which region has the largest population?

  1. AnswerL'Île-de-FranceÎle-de-France
  2. La Bourgogne-Franche-ComtéBourgogne-Franche-Comté
  3. La BretagneBrittany
  4. La CorseCorsica
Explanation Île-de-France, around Paris, has about 12.4 million inhabitants: it is the most populated region of France. It has 8 departments, including Paris.

Source : Île-de-France · Official lists: CR

Quelle ville française fait partie des 10 plus grandes métropoles du pays ?

Which French city is one of the country's 10 largest metropolitan areas?

  1. AjaccioAjaccio
  2. BrestBrest
  3. AnswerNantesNantes
  4. DijonDijon
Explanation The 10 largest metropolitan areas are Paris, Aix-Marseille, Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes, Nice, Montpellier and Strasbourg. Nantes Métropole has about 695,000 inhabitants.

Source : La France : aire urbaine et métropolisation · Official lists: CR, Naturalisation

Dans quelle ville les rois de France étaient-ils couronnés ?

In which city were the kings of France crowned?

  1. AnswerÀ ReimsIn Reims
  2. À MarseilleIn Marseille
  3. À LyonIn Lyon
  4. À VersaillesIn Versailles
Explanation Most kings of France were crowned (sacre) in Reims Cathedral, the city where Clovis, king of the Franks, had been baptised. Today Reims is in the Grand Est region.

Source : Des Mérovingiens à l'Ancien Régime (Vème-XVIIIème siècle) · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quel pays a été une colonie française ?

Which country was a French colony?

  1. L'AustralieAustralia
  2. AnswerL'AlgérieAlgeria
  3. L'ArgentineArgentina
  4. Le BrésilBrazil
Explanation Algeria was conquered by the French army in 1830. It became independent in 1962, after the Algerian War (1954-1962). Brazil was a Portuguese colony.

Source : Le territoire français dans le temps (1/2) · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quel monument historique se trouve sur une île en Normandie ?

Which historic monument stands on an island in Normandy?

  1. La cathédrale Notre-Dame de ParisNotre-Dame Cathedral in Paris
  2. Le pont du GardThe Pont du Gard
  3. Le château de VersaillesThe Palace of Versailles
  4. AnswerLe Mont-Saint-MichelMont-Saint-Michel
Explanation Mont-Saint-Michel is a rocky island off the Normandy coast, famous for its abbey built in the Middle Ages. At high tide it is surrounded by water. The Mont and its bay are a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Source : Patrimoine français : sites emblématiques et gastronomie de Normandie · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quelle île fait partie des Antilles françaises ?

Which island is part of the French Antilles?

  1. La CorseCorsica
  2. AnswerLa MartiniqueMartinique
  3. La RéunionRéunion
  4. La Nouvelle-CalédonieNew Caledonia
Explanation Martinique and Guadeloupe are French islands in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean. Réunion is in the Indian Ocean, New Caledonia in the Pacific and Corsica in the Mediterranean.

Source : Martinique · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quelle île est française ?

Which island is French?

  1. AnswerLa CorseCorsica
  2. La SicileSicily
  3. MajorqueMajorca
  4. La SardaigneSardinia
Explanation Corsica is a French island in the Mediterranean, south-east of mainland France. It has 2 departments and its prefecture is Ajaccio. Sicily and Sardinia are Italian, Majorca Spanish.

Source : Corse · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quelle est la plus haute montagne de France ?

What is the highest mountain in France?

  1. Le puy de DômeThe Puy de Dôme
  2. AnswerLe mont BlancMont Blanc
  3. Le mont VentouxMont Ventoux
  4. Le CanigouThe Canigou
Explanation Mont Blanc, in the Alps (Haute-Savoie), rises to about 4,800 metres: it is the highest peak in France. The Alps form the border with Italy and, in part, with Switzerland.

Source : Les frontières de la France · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quelle île française est située dans l'océan indien ?

Which French island is in the Indian Ocean?

  1. La CorseCorsica
  2. La GuadeloupeGuadeloupe
  3. La MartiniqueMartinique
  4. AnswerLa RéunionRéunion
Explanation Réunion is a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. It is an overseas department and region (DROM); its prefecture is Saint-Denis. Mayotte is also in the Indian Ocean.

Source : La Réunion · Official lists: Naturalisation

De quelle ville française décolle la fusée Ariane ?

From which French town does the Ariane rocket take off?

  1. BrestBrest
  2. CayenneCayenne
  3. ToulouseToulouse
  4. AnswerKourouKourou
Explanation Ariane rockets take off from the Kourou space centre, in French Guiana, on the Atlantic coast. Opened in 1968, it is used by the European Space Agency to launch satellites.

Source : Patrimoine français : sites emblématiques et gastronomie de Guyane · Official lists: Naturalisation

Qu'est-ce que la France d'outre-mer ?

What is overseas France?

  1. AnswerLes territoires français situés hors d'EuropeFrench territories outside Europe
  2. Les régions de France situées au bord de la merFrench regions located by the sea
  3. Les anciennes colonies devenues indépendantesFormer colonies that became independent
  4. Les pays qui parlent français dans le mondeFrench-speaking countries around the world
Explanation Overseas France covers French territories outside Europe: 5 departments and regions (Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Réunion, Mayotte) and collectivities such as French Polynesia.

Source : Le territoire de la France · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quel est le principal port maritime de France ?

What is France's main seaport?

  1. LilleLille
  2. AnswerMarseilleMarseille
  3. ToulouseToulouse
  4. Clermont-FerrandClermont-Ferrand
Explanation Marseille, on the Mediterranean, is France's leading seaport by volume of goods; Le Havre leads for containers. Mainland France has 7 major seaports.

Source : Les ports français · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quelle île française se trouve au sud-est du continent africain ?

Which French island lies south-east of the African continent?

  1. La Nouvelle-CalédonieNew Caledonia
  2. La CorseCorsica
  3. AnswerLa RéunionRéunion
  4. La GuadeloupeGuadeloupe
Explanation Réunion lies in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and south-west of Mauritius. Its main activities: tourism, sugar cane, tropical fruit. Guadeloupe is in the Caribbean.

Source : La Réunion · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quel est le chef-lieu de la région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes ?

What is the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region?

  1. Clermont-FerrandClermont-Ferrand
  2. AnswerLyonLyon
  3. GrenobleGrenoble
  4. Saint-ÉtienneSaint-Étienne
Explanation Lyon is the prefecture of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the 2nd most populous region after Île-de-France (about 8.1 million people). Grenoble, Saint-Étienne and Clermont-Ferrand are also in this region.

Source : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quel est le chef-lieu de la région Bretagne ?

What is the capital of the Brittany region?

  1. QuimperQuimper
  2. NantesNantes
  3. AnswerRennesRennes
  4. BrestBrest
Explanation Rennes is the prefecture of Brittany, the region at the far west of France, which has 4 departments. Nantes is the prefecture of the Pays de la Loire region.

Source : Bretagne · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quel est le chef-lieu de la région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur ?

What is the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region?

  1. Aix-en-ProvenceAix-en-Provence
  2. ToulonToulon
  3. NiceNice
  4. AnswerMarseilleMarseille
Explanation Marseille is the prefecture of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, a region bordered by Italy and the Mediterranean. It has 6 departments. Nice, Toulon and Aix-en-Provence are other big cities there.

Source : Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · Official lists: Naturalisation

Quelle région française est réputée pour ses stations de ski ?

Which French region is famous for its ski resorts?

  1. Le Centre-Val de LoireCentre-Val de Loire
  2. Les Hauts-de-FranceHauts-de-France
  3. La BretagneBrittany
  4. AnswerL'Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Explanation Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes stretches from the Alps to the Massif Central: its ski resorts make it a major tourist region. With about 8.1 million people, it is the 2nd most populous region. Its prefecture is Lyon.

Source : Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · Official lists: Naturalisation

Combien y a-t-il de régions en France ?

How many regions are there in France?

  1. Answer1818
  2. 2727
  3. 1313
  4. 101101
Explanation France has 18 regions, 5 of them overseas (13 in mainland France). The region runs upper secondary schools (lycées) and supports economic development. Don't confuse them with the 101 departments.

Source : Le découpage administratif de la France (3/3) · Official lists: CR

En tant que parent, peut-on refuser que son enfant participe aux cours de sport à l'école car ils sont mixtes ?

As a parent, can you refuse to let your child take part in PE lessons at school because they are mixed?

  1. AnswerNon, c'est un cours obligatoireNo, it is a compulsory lesson
  2. Oui, si les parents écrivent un motYes, if the parents write a note
  3. Oui, si la famille est très croyanteYes, if the family is very religious
  4. Oui, mais seulement pour les fillesYes, but only for girls
Explanation You cannot refuse a lesson on the curriculum (sport, school trip…) for religious reasons. The charter of secularism at school also guarantees equality between girls and boys.

Source : La laïcité à l'école (1/2) · Official lists: CR

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