AbstractThe paper considers the water requirements in the south of France. The historical development of water distribution schemes is described before a consideration of the general precipitation distribution in Provence and Languedoc‐Roussillon. The precipitation and potential evapotranspiration (calculated by the Thornihwaite/Mather bookkeeping method) data for 1931–1960 and for 1971–1980 are discussed and compared. A series of diagrams illustrates the monthly variation of surplus, deficit, use and recharge at seven stations over the latter ten‐year period. Maps showing wide variations in surplus or deficit in 1971, 1976 nad 1980 are presented. Finally, the implications of water provision for agriculture and tourism are con