The term Metropolitan France (French: la France métropolitaine, or just la Métropole) refers to the part of France in Europe, including Corsica, as opposed to the overseas departments and overseas territories, which, while integral parts of the French Republic, are regarded as Overseas France (French: la France d'outre-mer, or more colloquially les DOM-TOM). In the overseas departments, a person from Metropolitan France is often called a métro, short for métropolitain.

As of January 1, 2005, there were 60,560,000 people living in Metropolitan France, while there were 2,484,000 people living in Overseas France, giving a total of 63,044,000 inhabitants in the French Republic.

Metropolitan France excluding the island of Corsica is referred to (in French) as Continental France (French: la France continentale), or just the Continent (French: le continent). In Corsica, people from Continental France are referred to as "Continentals" (French: les continentaux).