Haute-Savoie

Haute-Savoie is a beautiful Alpine department in southeastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. 

Capital (préfecture): Annecy (often called the "Venice of the Alps" thanks to its canal and lake). 

Bordered by: Switzerland (Lac Léman/Lake Geneva to the north), Italy, and the department of Savoie. 

Home to the highest mountain in Western Europe: Mont Blanc (4,810 m). 

Known for world-class ski resorts such as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Portes du Soleil, Grand Massif, La Clusaz, Aravis, and Évian-les-Bains. 

Beautiful lakes: Lac d’Annecy (one of the cleanest in Europe) and the southern end of Lac Léman. 

The highest elevation gain of all French departments: from ~250 m (Rhône Valley) to 4,810 m. 

In short: a mix of spectacular mountains, crystal-clear lakes, top-notch winter sports, and charming villages and towns like Annecy, Chamonix, Thonon-les-Bains, Évian, and Yvoire. 

A top destination in summer and winter for nature, sports, and gastronomy (Reblochon, Tomme, fondue, etc.).

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Paris

Paris is a unique département in France: it is entirely integrated with the city of Paris itself (the commune). Département de Paris (number 75) Region: Île-de-France (capital of Paris) 

Status: Paris is simultaneously a commune, a département, and an arrondissement. 

It is divided into 20 arrondissements (numbered 1st through 20th, spiraling from the center). 

Special feature: Since 2019/2020, Paris has had a special status as a collectivité à statut particulier (metropolitan collectivity). 

The old classic département has been largely abolished, but in practice it still functions largely as département 75. 

Paris is the political, cultural, economic, and tourist heart of France, with icons such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre-Dame, and the Seine. 

The true metropolis (Grand Paris), however, has over 13 million inhabitants throughout the entire agglomeration. 

In short: Paris = city + department in one, the smallest but most influential department in the country.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Seine-Maritime

Seine-Maritime is a department in the Normandy region of northern France. 

Capital: Rouen (historic city with cathedral, half-timbered houses, and links to Joan of Arc) 

Main port: Le Havre (modern architecture, UNESCO World Heritage Site) 

Location: at the mouth of the Seine, with a long coastline on the English Channel (La Manche) 

Known for: the spectacular white chalk cliffs of Étretat, the Alabaster Coast (Côte d'Albâtre), impressive cliffs, beautiful seaside resorts (Dieppe, Fécamp, Le Tréport), impressionist landscapes (Monet, etc.), and medieval heritage (e.g., the abbey ruins of Jumièges) 

Character: a mix of industry/port (Le Havre, Rouen), rural countryside, and dramatic coastline 

In short: a department with sea, cliffs, history, cathedrals, and ports – one of the most beautiful coastal areas in Normandy.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Seine et Marne

Seine-et-Marne is a French department in the Île-de-France region, east of Paris. 

It takes its name from the Seine and Marne rivers. 

Prefecture (capital): Melun. 

Major cities: Meaux, Chelles, Pontault-Combault, Savigny-le-Temple, and Torcy. (Melun is a prefecture, but Meaux and Chelles have more inhabitants.) 

Characteristics: Lots of greenery and countryside (Brie region, forests, agriculture), but also heavily urbanized in the west due to its proximity to Paris. 

Known for: Disneyland Paris (in Marne-la-Vallée) Fontainebleau Castle (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Medieval town of Provins (UNESCO) Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle Nature (Fontainebleau forests, Brie countryside).  

It is a mix of countryside, commuter towns around Paris, and major tourist attractions. 

The department has remained virtually unchanged in its borders since 1790. 

In short: the "green lung" of Île-de-France with plenty of nature, history, and Disneyland.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Yvelines

Yvelines is a French department in the Île-de-France region, west of Paris (in the "grande couronne"). 

It was created in 1968 from the former department of Seine-et-Oise. 

Prefecture (capital): Versailles, world-famous for the Palace of Versailles (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). 

Characteristics: A mix of urban areas (close to Paris, including Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Poissy, and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines), suburbs, and abundant green spaces (forests such as the Forêt de Rambouillet, the Chevreuse Valley, and the banks of the Seine). 

Economy: One of the wealthiest departments in France (high average incomes), with a strong presence in services, industry, and tourism. 

Tourism: Famous for its castles (Versailles, Dampierre, Breteuil, Maisons-Laffitte), nature parks, and hiking and cycling trails. 

In short: a prosperous, green, and historic department near Paris, with a strong combination of royal heritage and modern urban development.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Deux-Sèvres

Deux-Sèvres is a department in western France, located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region (formerly Poitou-Charentes). 

It owes its name to two rivers: the Sèvre Nantaise and the Sèvre Niortaise. 

Prefecture (capital): Niort. 

The department is known for: The beautiful Marais Poitevin (Green Venice) with canals and marshland. Bocage landscape, rolling hills, forests, and valleys. 

Historic towns and villages such as Niort (with its keep), Parthenay, Bressuire, Coulon, and Melle. Beautiful castles (including Oiron and Saint-Mesmin) and Romanesque churches. 

A peaceful, green, and untouristed region, ideal for cycling, hiking, and nature exploration. 

The economy is primarily agricultural (dairy, meat, some viticulture), with a mild climate. 

In short: a peaceful, green, and authentic part of France, perfect for those seeking tranquility and beautiful landscapes without the crowds of tourists.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/

Somme

Somme is a French department in the north of the country, located in the Hauts-de-France region (formerly part of Picardy). 

It owes its name to the Somme River, which flows through it. 

Capital/préfecture: Amiens (known for its magnificent cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site). 

Other major cities: Abbeville, Albert, and Péronne. 

Number of communes: approximately 770 (one of the departments with the most small communes in France). 

The department is strongly agricultural (grain, potatoes, sugar beets) and has a coastline of approximately 60 km along the English Channel. 

It is also known for its rich prehistoric finds (Acheulean, Abbevillian) and, above all, for the dramatic First World War: the Battle of the Somme (1916) was one of the bloodiest battles ever, with vast cemeteries, monuments (including Thiepval), and museums that still attract many visitors. 

In short: a rural, water-rich department with a rich history (from prehistory to WWI), a beautiful Gothic cathedral in Amiens, and a quiet, sometimes melancholic atmosphere.

https://dorpenstedennederland.blogspot.com/

https://fieggentrio.blogspot.com/