Allergies: How to know pollen levels in your commune of France

France’s Atmo observatory is offering a new online tool to track and predict daily pollen levels in communes across the country.

Atmo (the federation of approved air quality monitoring associations) deems pollen allergies a “major public health issue” in France, affecting nearly one in three people. 

Their new interactive maps allow allergy sufferers to determine and compare the pollen levels of six different species: Ragweed, Alder, Mugwort, Birch, Grasses and Olive.

Indicators are currently reporting high levels of Birch pollen in many areas in the northern half of the country.

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“The pollen index enables allergy sufferers to adapt their lifestyles and treatments according to the forecasts, while providing healthcare professionals with valuable indicators to adjust their patients' needs,” reads a statement on Atmo’s website. 

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Use of data combined with artificial intelligence also allows the organisation to provide a three-day pollen forecast and daily updates at 13:00 for major cities across metropolitan France and Corsica.

RNSA liquidation

Atmo’s “pollen index” replaces the Réseau national de surveillance aérobiologique (RNSA) allergy risk maps that have been published for the past 30 years. 

The RNSA went into compulsory liquidation at the end of last month (March 26, 2025) following funding cuts after an administrative report indicated problems with both data quality and financial management.

Tips for reducing allergic reactions to pollen

France’s public health authority Haut conseil de santé publique and the national health insurance body, l’Assurance maladie, have issued key advice for reducing pollen allergy reactions, as reiterated by Atmo:

• Complete any treatment cycle, even if feeling better, do not modify or stop it without medical advice

• Change clothes after being outdoors to avoid bringing pollen into the home

• Rinse hair in the evening, as pollen settles on hair

• Avoid outdoor activities that lead to overexposure to pollen (mowing the lawn, gardening, sporting activities, etc.); if necessary do this at the end of the day and wear protective goggles and a mask

• Try to open windows before sunrise and after sunset, as pollen starts being released into the air at sunrise

• Avoid exposure to other irritating or allergenic substances (tobacco, cleaning products, air fresheners, incense, etc.)

• Avoid drying clothes outside, as pollen settles on damp clothes.

Atmo also publishes a daily “ATMO index” which tracks general air quality and pollution levels. 

France’s Ministry of Health has reported that elevated levels of certain chemical pollutants in the air can intensify pollen allergies, with climate change also increasing the spread of some pollen species. 

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