Prefecture

In France, a préfecture is the capital city of a département. By extension, it is also the name of one of the governing bodies of the département, and of the building housing this government body.

Paris

There is an exception with Paris (which is itself a département) and the three surrounding départements (called the petite couronne, small crown): those four départements are governed by a single préfecture for law enforcement and security purposes, which is the préfecture de police (PP). The préfet de police has the power of law enforcement for Paris, which is a power of the mayor for the other French cities and towns.

Related Topics:
Paris - Petite couronne - Préfecture de police - Préfet de police - Mayor

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Until 1977, Paris had no mayor and was mostly ruled by the préfet de police (a situation inherited from the Paris Commune, 1871).

Related Topics:
1977 - Paris Commune - 1871

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