prefécture

A préfecture is a term used mainly in France to denote the seat of the prefecture, the central state administration for a department, and by extension the office of the prefect who represents the state at the departmental level. The city that hosts the préfectorale administration is commonly called the department’s capital or chef-lieu.

In the French system, the prefect acts as the representative of the central government within the department. Prefects are appointed by the President on the proposal of the Prime Minister and are responsible for coordinating public services, enforcing laws, and maintaining public order. In departments that are subdivided into arrondissements, there are sub-prefects who administer each arrondissement under the authority of the prefect.

The préfecture houses many state services, including civil status and vital records, police coordination, disaster response, and various ministerial regional offices. The prefect coordinates activities across national agencies at the department level and works with the departmental council, which handles local affairs not directly managed by the state.

Outside France, the term is used in other Francophone countries to refer to the administrative center of a department or to the office of the local state authority. In addition, the word is sometimes employed in translations for equivalent territorial units in different countries, though the exact structures may vary by legal system. The etymology traces to Latin praefectura, through Old French préfecture, meaning the office or jurisdiction of a praefect.