The word lès (French pronunciation: [lɛ] , and [lɛz‿] with liaison) is an archaic French preposition meaning "near", "next to".[1][2] Today it occurs only in place names to distinguish places of the same name.

Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse station
Flines-lès-Mortagne, near Mortagne-du-Nord

The word lès has two variants: lez and les.[1] The latter should not be confused with the plural definite article les (e.g. les-Bains, "the Baths").

Etymology

The word lès and its variants derive from late Latin latus, "side".[1][2]

Examples

Lès

Lez

Les

References