French Provinces in 1789 before they were divided up into departments

Before the French Revolution, France was divided into provinces like Bretagne, Bourgogne, and Provence — many of which dated back to medieval kingdoms and feudal territories. These provinces varied widely in laws, customs, and administrative systems. In 1790, during the Revolution, they were replaced by departments designed to be more equal in size and governance, erasing old regional privileges and centralising authority under a uniform national structure. Many provincial names remain culturally and historically significant today