We report on Mn K‐edge X‐ray absorption study, in plane and out of plane, of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3films, epitaxially grown on a tensile substrate SrTiO3by laser ablation. From Extended X‐ray Absorption Fine Structure in the film plane we observe a small increase of Mn‐Mn distances with respect to relaxed film. In addition, a small distortion of the MnO6octahedron is evidenced from Extended and Near Edge Absorption measurements. The respective amplitudes found for these two effects are on the same order, so that no modification of the Mn‐O‐Mn angle is evidenced. © 2003 American Institute of Physics