Overseas France

Overseas France refers to the parts of the French Republic located outside of Europe. These include five special areas called overseas regions, thirteen territories, and other areas like New Caledonia. Most of these places used to be part of the old French colonial empire, but they are still connected to France today.

Although people in France often use the term "Overseas France" in everyday speech, it is not an official government name. Instead, each area has its own special rules. Some have the same status as areas in Europe, while others have more freedom to make their own decisions.

Overseas France includes islands in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans, as well as French Guiana in South America. Altogether, these areas make up about 18% of all French land. The waters around these places cover a huge area, more than 96% of all waters linked to France.

In January 2026, about 2,891,000 people lived in Overseas France. All of them are citizens of France and can vote in both French and European elections.

Varying constitutional statuses

Overseas departments and regions

Main article: Overseas departments and regions of France

Overseas regions have the same status as regions in mainland France. French laws apply to them, but can be changed to fit the region's needs. Local governments cannot make new laws.

• French Guiana (since 1946)
• Guadeloupe (since 1946)
• Martinique (since 1946)
• Mayotte (since 2011)
  • 1976–2003: sui generis overseas territory
    • 2001–2003: with the designation departmental community
  • 2003–2011: overseas community
  • In the 2009 Mahoran status referendum, Mahorans voted to become an overseas department in 2011, which occurred on 31 March 2011.
• Réunion (since 1946)

Overseas collectivities

Main article: Overseas collectivity

The overseas collectivities can make their own laws, except in areas like defense and international relations. They are governed by local elected groups and the French government.

• French Polynesia (1946–2003: overseas territory; since 2003: overseas collectivity)
• Saint Barthélemy
• Saint Martin
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon (1976–85: overseas department; 1985–2003: sui generis overseas territory; since 2003: overseas collectivity)
• Wallis and Futuna (1961–2003: overseas territory; since 2003: overseas collectivity)

Sui generis collectivity

• New Caledonia had a special status from 1999. It has held referendums on independence.

Overseas territory

Main article: Overseas territory (France)

• French Southern and Antarctic Lands; overseas territory of France (since 1956).

Special status

• Clipperton Island is an uninhabited coral atoll held under special status by the French government.

Political representation in legislatures

Overseas France has about 2.9 million people, which is about 4% of all people in France. These areas have representatives in the French Parliament. In the current group of leaders from 2022 to 2027, overseas France has 27 representatives in the French National Assembly. This is about 5% of all the representatives.

Overseas France also has 21 representatives in the French Senate, which is about 6% of all senators.

European Union representation

In the past, the areas of overseas France were grouped together to choose a representative for the European Parliament. This changed after the 2019 elections, when all of France chose representatives together as one group. Overseas France and other special areas of EU countries do not have their own representatives in the EU Council. Each country represents all its people in this council.

Overview

The French Republic includes several areas outside of Europe, called overseas territories. These places are parts of France but are far away, mostly remains of old French colonies.

Some of these territories are lived in by people, while others are only visited by scientists. There are many beautiful spots to see in these places, from islands to cities.

Largest cities in overseas France

Here are some of the biggest cities in overseas parts of France, listed by how many people live in their areas:

• Fort-de-France in Martinique: 346,577 people (in 2023)
• Saint Denis in Réunion: 326,743 people (in 2023)
• Pointe-à-Pitre–Les Abymes in Guadeloupe: 315,878 people (in 2023)
• Saint Pierre–Le Tampon in Réunion: 227,067 people (in 2023)
• Saint Paul in Réunion: 177,472 people (in 2023)
• Nouméa in New Caledonia: 173,814 people (in 2025)
• Cayenne in French Guiana: 153,884 people (in 2023)
• Papeete in French Polynesia: 138,861 people (in 2022)