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    Chef-lieu (en. Chief town)

    /ʃɛf ljø/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    noun
    The main town of a district or department.
    Paris is the chef-lieu of the Île-de-France region.
    Paris est le chef-lieu de la région Île-de-France.
    A town where administrative services are located.
    Lyon is the chef-lieu of the Rhône department.
    Lyon est le chef-lieu du département du Rhône.
    Administrative center of a territorial collectivity.
    The chef-lieu of the municipality is a gathering place for the inhabitants.
    Le chef-lieu de la commune est un lieu de rassemblement pour les habitants.

    Etymology

    The term 'chef-lieu' comes from the French 'chef', meaning 'chief' or 'leader', and 'lieu', meaning 'place' or 'site'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    departmental capital
    The main town of a department where administrative services are found.
    chef-lieu de département
    travel to the capital
    The act of going to the main town for administrative matters.
    déplacement vers le chef-lieu
    located in the capital
    Located in the main town of a region or department.
    situé au chef-lieu

    Related Words

    department
    Administrative division in France.
    département
    region
    A territorial collectivity grouping several departments.
    région
    district
    Subdivision of a department.
    arrondissement

    Slang Meanings

    Familiar name for an administrative town.
    People often say that the chef-lieu is a bit boring.
    On dit souvent que le chef-lieu est un peu ennuyeux.
    Term used to mock a small administrative town.
    Do you live in a chef-lieu? It must be really quiet there!
    Tu habites dans un chef-lieu? Ça doit être bien calme là-bas!