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France sees its strongest earthquakes in the Alps, Pyrenees and along the southeastern Mediterranean coast. This page pulls real records for France: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. 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.