France’s territory extends across multiple continents and oceans, encompassing a number of overseas islands that contribute to the nation’s global geographic profile.
While many of these islands are politically integrated into the French Republic, they often differ significantly in terms of language, environment, and cultural traditions.
The largest among them vary in location from the Indian Ocean to the Caribbean and Pacific, reflecting the historical breadth of France’s colonial and maritime presence. Their landscapes range from mountainous volcanic terrain to limestone plateaus and coral reef systems. These islands are not only centres of biodiversity, but also illustrate the diverse forms of governance and identity that exist within France’s wider territorial framework.
These are the ten largest French islands, each a world of its own, shaped by distinct landscapes, cultures, and histories that offer something unforgettable to every visitor.
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Top Ten Largest French Islands
10. Grande-Terre (Guadeloupe) — 586 km² (226 sq mi)
Location: Caribbean Sea
Grande-Terre is the eastern portion of Guadeloupe and contrasts with Basse-Terre through its flatter terrain and greater urban development. The island consists largely of limestone formations and coastal plains, and is home to the majority of Guadeloupe’s tourism infrastructure.
Cities such as Pointe-à-Pitre and Le Gosier serve as commercial and cultural centres. Agriculture, particularly sugarcane and banana cultivation, also plays an important role in the local economy. The population is ethnically diverse, and French and Creole are both widely used in public life. Grande-Terre represents the more commercially oriented and densely populated side of Guadeloupe’s dual-island configuration.
9. Maré — 642 km² (248 sq mi)
Location: Pacific Ocean
Maré is the southernmost of the Loyalty Islands, part of the French overseas territory of New Caledonia. The island is a raised coral atoll, characterized by dramatic cliffs, fossilized reefs, and lush inland forests. Unlike the main island of New Caledonia, Maré retains a strong traditional Kanak identity, with local tribal structures playing a central role in community life. The population is primarily Melanesian, and while French is the official language, the Drehu language is widely spoken among residents.
Economically, Maré remains largely rural, with subsistence agriculture, coconut and yam farming, and artisanal fishing supporting the local economy. The island also hosts the annual Avocado Festival, which celebrates both agricultural produce and Kanak culture. Despite limited tourism infrastructure, Maré’s unspoiled landscapes and cultural authenticity appeal to niche eco-tourism and heritage-minded travelers.
8. Basse-Terre — 848 km² (327 sq mi)
Location: Caribbean Sea
Basse-Terre forms the western half of Guadeloupe and is distinguished by its volcanic origin and dense tropical vegetation. The island is home to La Soufrière, an active volcano that forms part of the Guadeloupe National Park, a protected area known for its biodiversity. In contrast to its more developed twin, Grande-Terre, Basse-Terre is less urbanised and remains a centre for agriculture and ecological tourism.
The island’s population is ethnically diverse, with Afro-Caribbean, European, and Indian influences. French remains the administrative language, but Guadeloupean Creole is widely spoken. Basse-Terre also serves as the departmental capital, housing key political and administrative institutions.
7. Tahiti — 1,044 km² (403 sq mi)
Location: Pacific Ocean
Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia and the administrative centre of this overseas collectivity. Located in the central South Pacific, Tahiti is composed of two volcanic landmasses—Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti—joined by a narrow isthmus. Papeete, the capital, serves as the political and economic hub of the territory.
The island’s population is predominantly Polynesian, with French and Tahitian both recognised as official languages. Traditional cultural practices, including tattooing, dance, and canoe navigation, coexist with French education and infrastructure. While Tahiti is often associated with tourism, local industries such as black pearl cultivation and agriculture remain significant.
6. Martinique — 1,128 km² (436 sq mi)
Location: Caribbean Sea
Martinique is an overseas department of France situated in the Lesser Antilles of the Caribbean. The island features a mix of volcanic highlands in the north and flatter plains in the south, with Mount Pelée as its dominant geological feature. Martinique’s population is largely of Afro-Caribbean descent, and the island maintains a vibrant Creole culture alongside French administrative structures.
French is the official language, though Antillean Creole is widely spoken in daily life. Economic activity is centred on services, agriculture, and rum production, with tourism also playing a significant role. Martinique’s history of slavery, colonialism, and resistance continues to shape public discourse and identity.
5. Lifou — 1,207 km² (466 sq mi)
Location: Pacific Ocean
Lifou is the largest of the Loyalty Islands in New Caledonia and is located to the northeast of Grande-Terre. The island is predominantly composed of uplifted coral and features limestone cliffs, freshwater caves, and fertile interior plateaus. Lifou’s population is primarily Kanak, and traditional leadership structures remain influential in local governance and land ownership.
The economy is based on subsistence agriculture, fishing, and increasingly, eco-tourism. Transport and infrastructure remain limited, reflecting both the island’s isolation and efforts to preserve its natural environment. Cultural practices, including dance, oral storytelling, and customary rituals, are integral to community life.
4. Réunion — 2,511 km² (970 sq mi)
Location: Indian Ocean
Situated east of Madagascar, Réunion is an overseas department of France and one of its most geologically dynamic territories. The island is home to two volcanic massifs: the dormant Piton des Neiges and the active Piton de la Fournaise, which frequently erupts without major risk to human settlements.
Réunion’s population reflects a blend of African, European, Indian, and Chinese ancestry, with a Creole culture that has evolved over centuries of migration. French is the official language, though Réunion Creole is widely spoken. The island benefits from a relatively high standard of living, but also experiences disparities in employment and access to services. Réunion’s varied climate zones and mountainous topography have led to its designation as a biodiversity hotspot.
3. Grande Terre (Kerguelen Islands) — 6,675 km² (2,577 sq mi)
Location: Southern Indian Ocean
Grande Terre is the largest island of the Kerguelen Islands, a remote and uninhabited archipelago in the southern Indian Ocean. It is part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. The island features a harsh sub-Antarctic climate, with strong winds, frequent precipitation, and cold temperatures year-round.
The landscape is rugged and mountainous, dominated by glaciers, fjords, and volcanic formations such as the central Massif Gallieni and the Cook Ice Cap. There is no permanent population, but scientific research stations are periodically occupied by French researchers. Due to its isolation and extreme conditions, the island’s ecosystems are fragile, with unique flora and fauna adapted to the sub-Antarctic environment.
2. Corsica — 8,722 km² (3,368 sq mi)
Location: Mediterranean Sea
Corsica is located southeast of mainland France and is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean. Known for its mountainous terrain and varied ecosystems, the island also holds historical significance as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. While part of metropolitan France, Corsica maintains a distinct cultural identity, including its own regional language and traditions.
Discover Corsica: France’s Largest Island
Known for its striking natural beauty, Corsica offers a stunning mix of rugged mountains, unspoiled coastline, and dense forests, all steeped in a rich blend of culture and history.
The island is governed as a territorial collectivity with special administrative status, which allows for limited self-governance. Economically, Corsica relies on a combination of tourism, agriculture, and artisanal production. Efforts to preserve local heritage have grown in recent decades, particularly in the face of economic challenges and demographic shifts.
1. Grande-Terre (New Caledonia) — 16,664 km² (6,432 sq mi)
Location: Pacific Ocean
The largest French island by area, Grande-Terre forms the main landmass of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific. It is characterised by a central mountain range, extensive mineral resources, and a surrounding lagoon system recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island’s population includes both indigenous Kanak communities and settlers of European and Asian origin, reflecting New Caledonia’s complex colonial history.
While the capital, Nouméa, serves as the political and economic centre, large parts of the island remain rural and ecologically significant. Grande-Terre is central to ongoing debates surrounding autonomy and self-determination, with referendums in recent years addressing the territory’s political future. Its biodiversity and coral reefs place it among the most ecologically important French territories overseas.