Ten years ago the first epidemiological surveys on maternal mortality in France were carried out on the national level. In 1995, a National Committee of Medical Experts was created to conduct confidential inquiries into maternal deaths. It is thus useful to examine the general picture of maternal mortality in France drawn by the routinely and permanently collected data. These statistics are collected independently of the procedure adopted by the National Committee on confidential inquiries into maternal deaths. National death and cause-of-death registries have recorded maternal death rates for several years with data by age, area of residence, nationality, and direct or indirect obstetric causes. The low and underestimated rate of 8.5 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births recorded in 1989 increased regularly up to 1992. Currently the rates have been around 9 to 13 with no evidence of a declining trend. The larger urban area around Paris (Ile-de-France) has shown a statistically significant higher rate over the last several years. Post-partum hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal death. Compared with other European countries, maternal mortality in France is in an average position, similar to Great Britain (12 per 100,000), but higher than in Scandinavian countries. The elevated mean age of mothers at delivery is one explanation for the lack of a decline in the rate of maternal deaths expected until 2005 although further actions should be implemented to attempt to lower the rate to that observed in Scandinavian countries. A pertinent classification of causes of maternal deaths allowing valid international comparisons would be useful for helping answer the questions raised by clinicians.