👉 In France, an "arrondissement" is a type of administrative division that is made up of several smaller towns and villages. It is an administrative unit responsible for local government and administration in rural areas, with its own police force and courts. The term "arrondissement" comes from the French word "arrondir", which means to round up or to settle down. In this sense, it refers to a small town or village that has been divided into smaller parts, each with its