The Lior schemes were used for biotyping and serogrouping campylobacter strains isolated during a three year period in Bordeaux, France. Of the 226 strains tested, 176 were Campylobacter jejuni and 50 Campylobacter coli. Campylobacter jejuni biotype I was the most prevalent (48.2%). Biotypes III and IV of Campylobacter jejuni were rare (3.9% and 1.3% respectively). Serogroup 4 (17.7%) was the most common serogroup followed by serogroups 46 (11.0%), 29 (10.1%), 9 and 36 (7.9%). Eight serogroups constituted 73% of the strains. The distribution was similar from year to year and an association between a particular biotype and serogroup was not observed. During the study period four family outbreaks and seven recurrences of infection were observed.