An arrondissement (French pronunciation: [aʁɔ̃dismɑ̃] ⓘ)[1] is the third level of administrative division in France generally corresponding to the territory overseen by a subprefect.
The administration of an arrondissement is assigned to a subprefect (French: sous-préfet) who assists the departmental prefect (préfet).
Unlike French regions, departments and communes, arrondissements do not have the status of legal entity in public law.
The arrondissements were created after the French Revolution by the Loi du 28 pluviôse in the year VIII of the Republican Calendar (17 February 1800) and replaced "districts".
[4][5] While it claimed it was to achieve fiscal savings, some political analysts considered the results electoral manipulation.