Aim of the study Confronted with numerous recent events, different pressure groups including citizens, the press or courts have led to policy makers remodelling their approach to the environment, especially concerning the impact of the environment on health. Existing public organizations working in the environmental field have had their mission reoriented while many new public sector institutions have been set up. This paper describes major organisations which deal with the health and the environment in France. It gives information on both who is involved within the environmental health field as well policy actions, advice and assistance available. Methods The different public institutions and organizations involved in environmental issues and health impact are presented. The main actions and missions within the health and environmental field are summarised. Such information on the Ministries and public organisations was mainly collected from the Internet. Only public or semi-public organisms are described. Results The activities of four Ministries (environment, health, agriculture and industry) are described. Nineteen public organisations dealing with environmental and health issues (AFSSE, InVS, AFFSA, IRSN, ADEME, IFEN, INERIS, INSERM, ENSP, INPES, CSTB, INRETS, LCPC, IFREMER, INRA, CEMAGREF, ANDRA, BRGM, CNRS), together with those of more than fourteen national councils, commissions or observatories are also detailed. To help the reader in accessing information on both the issues and on who is involved in specific issues, the aims and remits of each organisation are explained. Conclusion Owing to the great number of organisations and to the diversity of subjects treated in this field, this presentation is not exhaustive and particularly focuses on environmental and health organisations intervening within this field of particular interest to professionals working in the field of prevention and health at work.