Hollande announces plan to redraw French map

France 24

French President François Hollande announced plans on June 2 to redraw the country’s map, by reducing the number of regions from 22 to 14.

France’s regions take great pride in their distinctive local traditions and identity. Brittany, for example, is known for its crêpes and Celtic heritage, while Normandy is famed for its strong cheeses (like camembert) and even stronger tempers.

But under Hollande’s ambitious new plan, many of the nation’s regions will be merged, cutting the number nearly in half. The proposal, which still has to go up for debate in parliament, would change the map of France if approved.

In a statement announcing the proposal, Hollande wrote that he held the “ambition to transform the Republic’s territorial architecture for decades to come”.

The move is aimed at reducing regional bureaucracies and cutting back on spending.

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