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.
Check France hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near France - or search any city or region.
Popular
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.