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!