French Grammar Explained - Prepositions for States, Departments, Provinces, and Regions

with an audio guide!

The prepositions to be used for regions, provinces, departments or states will vary depending on the gender, the number and the first letter of these geographical names.

For feminine regions, provinces, departments and states : use en (to indicate you are there or going there)
Je vais en Californie. - I am going to California.
Elle habite en Provence. - She lives in Provence.

For masculine regions, provinces, departments and states starting with a consonant or aspirated h: use dans le

Elle vit dans le Jura. - She lives in the Jura.
J’habite dans le Cantal. - I live in Cantal.

Please note a few exceptions:
au Québec, au Nouveau-Mexique, au Texas

For masculine regions, provinces, departments and states starting with a vowel or mute h: use en or dans l’

Kate travaille en Ontario. - Kate works in Ontario.
Paul habite dans l’Hérault. - Paul lives in (the department of) Hérault.

For plural regions, provinces, departments and states : use dans les

Mon ami habite dans les Pyrénées. - My friend lives in the Pyrenees.
George adore aller dans les Vosges. - George loves going to the Vosges.

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Thanks for reading this week’s article! Next week, we’ll have a quick lesson on the difference between ça and sa.