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Île-de-France
Île-de-France is located in the north-centre of France, around Paris. It is the political, economic and administrative heart of the country.
Key points of the sheet
- Île-de-France has 8 départements: Essonne, Hauts-de-Seine, Paris, Seine-et-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne, Val-d'Oise and Yvelines.
- The main cities are Paris (prefecture, préfecture), Boulogne-Billancourt, Saint-Denis, Versailles, Nanterre, Créteil, Évry and Cergy.
- The region has about 12.4 million inhabitants. It is the most populated region of France, with a high population density and strong urbanisation.
- The key sectors are: services (finance, digital, communication), high-tech industry, research, tourism, culture, construction, logistics, head-office activities and decision-making centres.
- The unemployment rate is close to the national average. There are strong contrasts between the west, which is better off, and the east, which is more fragile socially and economically.
Words to know
- départements
- Île-de-France has 8 départements, including Paris.
- prefecture (préfecture)
- Paris is the prefecture of the Île-de-France region.
- population density (densité de population)
- Île-de-France has a high population density.
- unemployment rate (taux de chômage)
- In Île-de-France, the unemployment rate is close to the national average.
Test yourself: 3 questions
How many départements does Île-de-France have?
In French, the language of the exam: Combien de départements compte l'Île-de-France ?
Île-de-France has 8 départements.
Where is Île-de-France located?
In French, the language of the exam: Où est située l'Île-de-France ?
Île-de-France is located in the north-centre of France, around Paris.
What is the unemployment rate like in Île-de-France?
In French, the language of the exam: Comment est le taux de chômage en Île-de-France ?
The sheet says the unemployment rate is close to the national average.
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More in this topic (The regions of France)
Source
Sheet “Île-de-France” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.