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Prépositions avec îles et villes
French prepositions with islands and cities are easier than with other geographical names because gender plays no role. You just need to think about number (singular vs plural) and whether you’re coming or going.
Going to / Being in an Island or City
1) Singular: à
| Je vais à Cuba. | I’m going to Cuba. | |
| Tu es à Madagascar ? | Are you in Madagascar? | |
| Il va à Rouen. | He’s going to Rouen. | |
| Elle est à Orange. | She’s in Orange. |
Large islands usually include an article (always feminine)
- à la Barbade
- à la Dominique
- à la Grenade
- à la Guadeloupe
- à la Jamaïque
- à la Réunion
As do cities that have an article in their name (it contracts with the preposition according to the normal rules):
- Le Havre
au Havre - Le Mans au Mans
2) Plural: aux
| Je vais aux Bahamas. | I’m going to the Bahamas. | |
| Il est aux Fidji. | He’s in Fiji. |
Again, cities with an article in the name contract:
- Les Lilas aux Lilas
- Les Sables-d’Olonne aux Sables-d’Olonne
Coming from an Island or City
1) Singular: de
| Je viens de Cuba. | I’m coming from Cuba. | |
| Tu arrives de Madagascar ? | Are you arriving from Madagascar? | |
| Il rentre de Rouen. | He’s returning from Rouen. | |
| Elle vient d’Orange. | She’s from Orange. |
Same deal with articles in island and city names:
- de la Barbade
- de la Dominique
- de la Grenade
- de la Jamaïque
- du Havre
- du Mans
2) Plural: des
| Je viens des Bahamas. | I’m coming from the Bahamas. | |
| Il arrive des Fidji. | He’s arriving from Fiji. |
- Les Lilas des Lilas
- Les Sables-d’Olonne des Sables-d’Olonne
Geographical Prepositions Quizzes
Think you’ve got it? Test yourself on French geographical prepositions with these fill-in-the-blanks exercises
Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to take these tests. If you don’t have one, sign up – it’s free!
Related lessons
- Introduction to geographical prepositions
- Definite articles
- Contractions
- Aller (to go)
- Être (to be)
- Venir (to come)
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