在法國地方制度中，省不僅是重要的地方政府層級，更是法國傳統中央集權觀念 與地方自治結合的具體表現。本文即在於從法制的觀點，探討法國省制的組織架構及其功能 ，同時比較在一九八二年地方分權法施行對於省制的影響，以及法國省制對於當前地方政府 研究與實務運作所呈顯的意涵。

　　　　　In France, Department is not only a hierarchy level of local administration, but also a combination of ideas of centralization and self-governance. This paper will try to find out the characters of Department and how it runs. At the same time, the author will also compare the differences of institutions and functions between the legal change of The Act of March 3, 1982, and study the meanings and influences of Department.