Map of aquifer levels in mainland France on 15 November 2025.
© BRGM
Trends observed on piezometers on 15 November 2025.
© BRGM
Trends
As at 15 November, levels in most aquifers were rising (45%), but the trends varied depending on the amount of effective rainfall that filtered into the ground and the reactivity of the aquifer.
An upward trend was generally observed in reactive aquifers. Recharge was particularly active across the northern three-quarters of the country and in Corsica. Trends were more variable in the south, from the Adour basin to Provence, due to a lack of effective rainfall.
The recharge was gradually commencing in the majority of inertial aquifers (Artois, Paris Basin, Sundgau, Rhône-Saône corridor). However, the levels continued to drop in the inertial aquifers in the western part of the Artois Basin and the centre of the Paris Basin, since they react very slowly to rainfall.
Situation observed on piezometers on 15 November 2025.
© BRGM
The groundwater situation
There has been little change in the situation between September, October and mid-November. The inflows were sufficient to maintain the levels in the aquifers but not enough to bring about any notable improvement in the situation. It should be noted that the situation deteriorated slightly between October and November in certain aquifers in the south-east.
The overall state of the aquifers remained satisfactory, ranging from moderately low to moderately high. Moderately high levels were recorded in the inertial aquifers in the Paris Basin, which are still benefiting from the effects of the abundant recharges of the last two winters, and in the reactive aquifers located in the central section of the country, which have benefited from the strong recharge episodes of recent weeks.
The levels in certain reactive aquifers were less satisfactory (with moderately low levels observed), due to a weak start to the recharge period, notably in: the Armorican Massif, the Boulonnais, Ardennes, Berry and Limagne regions, the Adour and Gave de Pau basins, the south-east and Corsica. The levels in the aquifers in the Roussillon region and the Corbières Massif remained low.
Forecasts
The forecasts for the reactive aquifers remain uncertain. In the coming weeks, the trends and any changes in situations will essentially depend on how much rain falls locally and how reactive the aquifers are to rainfall. The levels could continue to drop if the lack of
rainfall persists. On the other hand, recharge episodes may occur if there is enough effective rainfall.
As regards inertial aquifers, the recharge phase should commence in all of these aquifers in November. Nonetheless, their situations are only likely to evolve slowly. The forecasts continue to suggest that no winter drought will affect the inertial aquifers in the Paris basin, whose levels are currently above monthly norms.
Aquifers whose levels are currently below monthly norms should continue to be closely monitored.
Groundwater situation: a new map and more frequent bulletins
The BRGM groundwater status report, which is eagerly awaited by the public every month, is being revamped. It will now be published twice a month, and the map will have a new colour scheme to make it easier to read.
As of 1 July 2025, the comparative map between the current month and the same month of the previous year will also be reissued with the new colour scheme.
Map drawn up by BRGM on 19 November 2025, based on data acquired up to 15 November 2025.
Data source: ADES (ades.eaufrance.fr) / Hydroportail (hydro.eaufrance.fr) / Background map © IGN. Data producers and contributors: APRONA, BRGM, Conseil Départemental de la Vendée, Conseil Départemental des Landes, Conseil Départemental du Lot, EPTB Vistre Vistrenque, Parc Naturel Régional des Grandes Causses, Syndicat Mixte d’Etudes et de Travaux de l’Astien (SMETA), Syndicat Mixte pour la protection et la gestion des nappes souterraines de la plaine du Roussillon (SMNPR).
This map shows the global indicators reflecting the average fluctuations of the aquifers. They are based on point indicators collected at groundwater monitoring points (by means of piezometers).
The "Aquifer levels" indicator compares the current month’s figures with those of the same months in the entire record, i.e. at least 15 years of data and sometimes up to as much as 100 years of data. It is divided into 7 classes, from the lowest level (in red) to the highest (in dark blue).
The grey areas correspond to areas without unconfined aquifers, i.e. with an impermeable or semi-permeable layer above the aquifer, and/or sectors with a very low density of measuring points. This last case primarily concerns mountainous areas with small, heterogeneous aquifers.
The "Evolution of levels" indicator reflects the variation of the water level of the past month compared to the two previous months (stable, increasing or decreasing).
These global indicators reflect general situations and trends and do not take into account possible local disparities.