Language/French/Grammar/Use-of-the-definite-article-with-names-of-countries,-regions,-départements
In French the definite article is normally used with the names of countries, regions and départements, whereas in English it is not:
- La France est un très beau pays
France is a very beautiful country
- Progressivement, la Champagne est devenue terre de rencontre et de conflits
Over time, Champagne (a French region) became a land of meetings and confrontations
- Ramassage de coquillages interdit dans le Calvados
Shellfish fishing banned in Calvados (a French département)
When en 'to/in' or de 'from' are used with feminine countries or regions (or with masculine countries beginning with a vowel: en Irak), the definite article is omitted:
- Nous irons en France l'année prochaine
We shall go to France next year
- des pommes de Normandie
apples from Normandy
- des vacances en Ille-et-Vilaine
holidays in Ille-et-Vilaine
But with masculine countries, regions and départements, the definite article is retained with à 'to/in', dans 'in' and de 'from':
- Les hôtels au Mexique sont d'un très bon niveau
The hotels in Mexico are of a very high standard
- J'ai acheté une maison dans le Finistère
7 have bought a house in Finistère
- des pommes du Calvados
apples from Calvados