The term "metropolitan France" dates from the country's colonial period (from the 16th to the 20th centuries), when France was referred to as la Métropole (literally "the Metropolis"), as distinguished from its colonies and protectorates, known as les colonies or l'Empire.
Benævnelsen "France métropolitaine" har baggrund i landets koloniale fortid (fra det 16. til det 20. århundrede), da Frankrig blev omtalt som la Métropole for at adskille det fra sine kolonier og protektorater omtalt som les colonies eller l'Empire.