Traditionally，France had been a centralized unitary country. Such form of governance was conducive to the formation of a modern France，ensuring the unity and integrity of the country. The local governments of France were strictly supervised by the central government and had very limited autonomy. With the evolution of democratic politics and the development of the economy，starting from the 1980s，France began the decentralization process. Initial achievements have been realized with three major reforms. The respective roles and authorities of the central and local administrations are clearly defined，establishing sound relations of mutual respect，responsibility sharing and constant dialogue between the central and local governments.