What the record shows for France
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 17 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 333 km of France - about one every 2 years. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 2 tsunamis within 333 km of France between 563 and 1765. The most significant was in 563 near Lake Geneva.
One volcano is catalogued near France, including Chaine des Puys. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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France sees its strongest earthquakes in the Alps, Pyrenees and along the southeastern Mediterranean coast.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for France.
Earthquake risk in France - FAQ
Is France at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 1 quake every 2 years nearby of magnitude 4+ within 333 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in France?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to France in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does France get tsunamis?
Yes - 2 tsunamis since 563 (most recently 1765) within 333 km, from the NOAA database.
How do I get earthquake warnings in France?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.