^2 This department was known as Basses-Alpes until 1970
^3 This department was known as Charente-Inférieure until 1941
^4 This department was known as Côtes-du-Nord until 1990
^5 This department was known as Bec-d'Ambès from 1793 until 1795. The Convention eliminated the name to avoid recalling the outlawed Girondin political faction.
^6 This department was known as Loire-Inférieure until 1957
^7 This department was known as Mayenne-et-Loire until 1791
^8 This department was known as Basses-Pyrénées until 1969
^13 Number 92 was formerly assigned to Oran, in French Algeria
^14 Number 93 was formerly assigned to Constantine, in French Algeria
^15 The prefecture of Val-d'Oise was established in Pontoise when the department was created, but moved de facto to the neighbouring commune of Cergy; currently, both part of the ville nouvelle of Cergy-Pontoise
^16 The overseas departments each constitute a region and enjoy a status identical to metropolitan France. They are part of France and the European Union, though special EU rules apply to them.