Regional and Linguistic Terms

Francophonie: French-speaking world beyond France.

Hexagone: Mainland France (from its roughly hexagonal shape).

Maghreb: North Africa, particularly Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia.

Métropole: Mainland France as opposed to overseas territories.

Outre-mer: Overseas French territories.

Patois: Regional dialects and languages of France.

Picard: Language/dialect of northern France, Picardy region.

Provençal/Occitan: Language of southern France, important for troubadour tradition.# Guide to French Literary Prizes

French literary culture takes its prizes seriously. With hundreds of awards given annually, these prizes shape careers, drive sales, and influence literary reputation. Here are the most significant ones: