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Anarrondissement (English:/əˈrɒndɪsmənt/,French:[aʁɔ̃dismɑ̃]ⓘ)[1] is the third level ofadministrative division in France generally corresponding to the territory overseen by asubprefect. As of 2023, the 101 Frenchdepartments are divided into 333 arrondissements (including 13 overseas).[2]
The capital of an arrondissement is called asubprefecture. When an arrondissement contains theprefecture (capital) of the department, that prefecture is the capital of the arrondissement, acting both as a prefecture and as a subprefecture. Arrondissements are further divided intocommunes.
The termarrondissement can be roughly translated into English as district.[3]
Some municipalities inQuebec are divided into arrondissements, reflecting the province’s historical link toNew France.
The administration of an arrondissement is assigned to a subprefect (French:sous-préfet) who assists the departmental prefect (préfet).
Unlike Frenchregions, departments and communes, arrondissements do not have the status oflegal entity inpublic law. In addition, unlike those other administrative divisions, they are not run by elected officials, but by political appointees, officials appointed by theFrench president.
The concept of arrondissements was proposed several times as an administrative reform during theAncien Régime, notably by theintendant of thegénéralité ofBrittany,Caze de La Bove, in hisMémoire concernant les subdélégués de l'intendance de Bretagne in 1775.
The arrondissements were created after theFrench Revolution by theLoi du 28pluviôse in the year VIII of theRepublican Calendar (17 February 1800) and replaced "districts". In certain periods in French history, they have served a role in legislative elections, especially during theThird Republic. In 1926, 106 arrondissements were suppressed by the government.[4][5] While it claimed it was to achieve fiscal savings, some political analysts considered the results electoral manipulation. Some of these suppressed arrondissements were restored in 1942.
The most recent creations and disestablishments of arrondissements are listed in the table below.
| Year | Department | Created arrondissement(s) | Disbanded arrondissement(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Moselle | Forbach-Boulay-Moselle | Forbach,Boulay-Moselle |
| 2015 | Moselle | Metz | Metz-Campagne,Metz-Ville |
| 2015 | Moselle | Sarrebourg-Château-Salins | Château-Salins,Sarrebourg |
| 2015 | Moselle | Thionville | Thionville-Est,Thionville-Ouest |
| 2015 | Bas-Rhin | Haguenau-Wissembourg | Haguenau,Wissembourg |
| 2015 | Bas-Rhin | Strasbourg | Strasbourg-Campagne,Strasbourg-Ville |
| 2015 | Haut-Rhin | Colmar-Ribeauvillé | Colmar,Ribeauvillé |
| 2015 | Haut-Rhin | Thann-Guebwiller | Guebwiller,Thann |
| 2017 | Loire-Atlantique | Châteaubriant-Ancenis | Ancenis,Châteaubriant |
| 2017 | Marne | – | Sainte-Menehould |
Most departments have three or four arrondissements. The departments ofParis and of theTerritoire de Belfort have only one, while the department ofPas-de-Calais has seven.Mayotte has none.
