The Pyrénées-Orientales could be renamed: discover the names and number that the department could have

Une consultation va être lancée pour faire changer le nom des Pyrénées-Orientales. Illustration MAXPPP – MICHEL CLEMENTZ

Le conseil départemental des Pyrénées-Orientales souhaite une autre dénomination. Une consultation citoyenne sera organisée en ce sens.

The name Pyrénées-Orientales would not be to everyone's taste. For several years, the departmental council has wanted to bring about this name change, with the aim of affirming the Catalan identity of its inhabitants.

During her wishes, the president of the Departmental Council, Hermeline Malherbe once again relaunched the initiative. It must also specify the terms of a major consultation of citizens so that residents choose the new name.

Several names proposed

Among the proposed names "Pyrenees-Mediterranean", "Pyrenees- Catalanes" or again  "Catalan Country". The population of the department will have to decide whether to choose between the proposed names or keep the current one. A vote will be organized this fall, according to the president of the Department, as reported by France Bleu.

Validation subsequently required by the Council of State

Consultation alone will not be enough to change the name. Once the vote is completed, a request must be sent to the Council of State which will validate or not. This approach is planned for December 2024. 

As stipulated in article L3111-1 of the General Code of Local Authorities: "The change of name of a department is decided by decree in the Council of State on the request of the departmental council".

What about the number ?

Who says change of name, says possible change in alphabetical order. The department which displays its number 66 could no longer be the 66th name in the alphabetical list of French departments classified in this way.

Even if the department of Pyrénées-Orientales changed its name, it would still have the number 66. Because that would shift all the department numbers forcing some to change their number. And what's more, the cost would not be negligible. And symbolically and historically, residents are attached to this type of detail, especially motorists.  

Changes already made

Even if it's rare, some departments have already changed their names. There are seven of them.

The Mayenne-et-Loire department became Maine-et-Loire, Charente-Inférieure is now Charente-Maritime, Seine-Inférieure is Seine-Maritime,  Loire-Inférieure became Loire-Atlantique, the Basses-Pyrénées were called the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, the Basses-Alpes were renamed the Alpes-de-Haute -Provence and the latest appellation concerns Côtes-du-Nord, now Côtes-d'Armor.