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Which neighbouring country borders the north and north-east of France?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: Belgium. Belgium touches the north and east of France. It borders the Hauts-de-France and the Grand Est. France has 8 neighbours in Europe, but not Portugal. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Hauts-de-France” (in French). The other three choices are explained below.
Sources: Sheet “Hauts-de-France” (French), read on 21 October 2026. Answer written by Hexaciv from this source. Hexaciv is an independent preparation tool. It is not an official website, is not linked to any government body and does not give legal advice. The authoritative source is the Ministry of the Interior's, cited on this page.
The four choices and why
- ✗ SpainL'EspagneSpain is south of France, across the Pyrenees.
- ✓ BelgiumLa BelgiqueCorrect answer. Belgium touches the north and east of France. It borders the Hauts-de-France and the Grand Est. France has 8 neighbours in Europe, but not Portugal.
- ✗ ItalyL'ItalieItaly is south-east of France, across the Alps.
- ✗ PortugalLe PortugalPortugal is not among the 8 countries that share a land border with France.
What the source says
« La région des Hauts-de-France est située au nord de la France, à la frontière avec la Belgique. »
Sentence copied word for word from the source, in French, read on 21 October 2026.
How it reads on exam day
The exam is in French, so this is the question you will see: « Quel pays voisin touche le nord et le nord-est de la France ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR). The Ministry's wording: “Quel pays a une frontière avec la France métropolitaine au nord-est ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Hauts-de-France” (French).
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