Although venomous animals are less frequent in Europe than in tropical countries, some dangerous species can be responsible of envenomations in France. Bites by two species of adders (Vipera aspis and Vipera berus) can lead to extensive swelling with multiorgan failure. Treatment is based on intravenous infusions of specific antivenom. Bites and stings by other animal species encountered in France are characterised by important pain with local signs like necrosis, bleeding or oedema: weevers, scorpion fish, centipedes, bees, wasps.... Contrary to scorpions of North Africa or India, the 5 scorpion species which live in France are completely harmless. Such is not the case with spiders: latrodectism (neurotoxicity) and loxoscelism (extensive necrosis) observed in Provence and in Corsica.