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The article discusses the expansion of gated communities in France since the 1990s. It notes that although this form of living is not new to France, it is now also geared toward middle and lower classes and had led to its banalization. It offers information on the gated community inventory created in 2007 and discusses the establishment of a typology of gated communities located in 11 areas in France and French overseas departments including Martinique. Topics include the characteristics of such communities, gated communities in Southern France, and comparisons with gated communities in other countries including the U.S. and Mexico. It is suggested that such communities were developed in an effort to deal with issues related to transportation and the prevention of car thefts.