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Who is the préfet?
Model-written, not yet read by a native reader.
Correct answer: The government's representative in the department. The préfet runs the department and represents the government. This post was created in 1800, under the Consulate. The current system is the heir of this organisation. Source: the Ministry of the Interior sheet “Le Consulat (1799-1804)” (in French).
Sources: Sheet “Le Consulat (1799-1804)” (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
- ✓ The government's representative in the departmentLe représentant du gouvernement dans le départementCorrect answer. The préfet runs the department and represents the government. This post was created in 1800, under the Consulate. The current system is the heir of this organisation.
- ✗ The judge of the administrative court of the departmentLe juge du tribunal administratif du départementThe préfet represents the government in the département: they are not a judge of the administrative court.
- ✗ The head of the municipal police of the communeLe chef de la police municipale de la communeThe préfet runs the département and represents the government: they are not the head of the municipal police.
- ✗ The elected mayor of the prefecture of the departmentLe maire élu de la préfecture du départementThe préfet represents the government in the département: they are not the mayor.
What the source says
« En 1800, une nouvelle fonction administrative est ainsi créée : le préfet, qui dirige chaque département et représente le gouvernement. »
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: « Qui est le préfet ? ». Learn the English idea above and the French words in the options.
This question is on the official list for the resident card (CR) and for the multi-year residence card (CSP). The Ministry's wording: “Qui est le préfet ?”.
Where the Ministry explains it
Sheet “Le Consulat (1799-1804)” (French).
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