ABSTRACT

In 1999, France had a population of 58 million people, occupying a land area of some 544,000 square kilometres. While the average population density is close to 100 inhabitants per square kilometre, this average figure masks significant geographical variations – from 729 in the most densely populated urban areas, to 17 in some remoter parts of the French countryside. More than 75 per cent of the population live in areas defined as urban and during the last fifty years, in line with other European countries, France has undergone a transition from being a predominantly rural to an urban society. This has been marked by the development of big cities and their suburban hinterlands. However, many indicators reveal, today, a revival of the countryside, and the appeal of rural living is demonstrated by the recent growth of many smaller communities. This renewed vibrancy provides the backcloth for this chapter. Though before focusing on the countryside in more detail, a general account of housing issues affecting France at the current time is offered in the next section.