The map above, entitled “Personne ne vit ici” (Nobody lives here) created by French cartographer Mathieu Garnier, shows all the areas in mainland France where nobody lives within a 1 km radius.
While France has a population of over 65 million people, large portions of the country remain completely uninhabited. When looking at the map, several distinct patterns emerge.
Mountain Regions
The most obvious uninhabited regions correspond to France’s mountainous areas. The Alps in the southeast, the Pyrenees along the Spanish border, and the Massif Central in the country’s heart stand out as vast empty zones.
These high-altitude regions, with their steep slopes and harsh winters, have always presented challenges for permanent settlement.
Forest & Water Areas
Forest areas also constitute significant uninhabited zones.
France’s great forests—like the Landes forest in the southwest, the largest maritime pine forest in Europe—appear as empty swathes on the map.
Water bodies also appear prominently as uninhabited spaces, from the large lakes in the Alpine region to reservoirs scattered throughout the country.
Military Zones
The country’s military zones, including the Plateau de Canjuers and Camp de Mailly, represent other noteworthy uninhabited areas.
These training grounds, some stretching for thousands of hectares, remain deliberately unpopulated.
Population Distribution
What’s perhaps most intriguing is how the map reflects France’s uneven population distribution.
The Paris region appears densely populated with few empty spaces, while rural departments like Creuse and Lozère show extensive uninhabited areas—a visual testament to the ongoing rural exodus that has shaped the country for decades.
European Context & Ecological Significance
When compared to similar maps of other European countries, France shows a unique pattern.
Despite being one of Europe’s most populous nations, it maintains vast empty spaces—a reflection of its considerable land area and diverse geography.
These uninhabited zones serve crucial ecological functions, providing habitats for wildlife and helping maintain biodiversity in one of Western Europe’s most developed countries.
The next time you travel through France, consider that beyond the bustling cities and charming villages lie these empty spaces—places where nature still reigns, undisturbed by human habitation.
In related maps, you may also view the uninhabited areas of the United States here.
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