Urban areas of France
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
France has around 36,000 communes, which are the smallest administrative divisions in the country. These communes can range from large cities like Paris, Marseille, and Lyon to tiny rural villages.
The top 10 largest metropolitan areas in France by population
- Paris Metropolitan Area – The Greater Paris region is the most populous metropolitan area in France and includes the city of Paris and its surrounding suburbs. It is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe.
- Lyon Metropolitan Area – Located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the Lyon metropolitan area is the second-largest in France.
- Marseille Metropolitan Area – Situated in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the Marseille metropolitan area is the third-largest in the country.
- Toulouse Metropolitan Area – In the Occitanie region, Toulouse is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in France.
- Lille Metropolitan Area – Located in the Hauts-de-France region, Lille’s metropolitan area is the fifth-largest in the country.
- Bordeaux Metropolitan Area – In the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in France.
- Nice Metropolitan Area – Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Nice’s metropolitan area is the seventh-largest in the country.
- Nantes Metropolitan Area – In the Pays de la Loire region, Nantes is the eighth-largest metropolitan area in France.
- Strasbourg Metropolitan Area – Located in the Grand Est region, Strasbourg’s metropolitan area is the ninth-largest in the country.
- Toulon Metropolitan Area – In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Toulon’s metropolitan area is the tenth-largest in France.
The map below shows the largest metropolitan areas in France by population.
Approximately 80% of France’s population lived in cities, making it one of the most urbanized countries in Europe. The percentage of urban population in France continues to increase, reflecting a global trend of urbanization.
The Greater Paris region, which includes the city of Paris and its surrounding suburbs, has been especially experiencing significant population growth over the years.
The ranking of the fastest growing metropolitan areas also includes Toulouse, Montpellier, Rennes, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nantes.
You can learn more about France from the following travel guides:
