Introduction - Mental health conditions represent one of the major health challenges among migrants and foreigners in France, yet they are often overlooked in studies of the general population. Materials and Methods - Data collected within the healthcare facilities of Comede (Medical Committee for Exiles) enabled us to describe psychotrauma in a population of exiles characterized by a history of violence, precarious administrative status, and communication difficulties for non-French speakers. Results - Between 2004 and 2010, among the 17,836 people who consulted a doctor at Comede health centers, more than 60% had experienced violence in their country of origin, and nearly a quarter had been tortured. The prevalence rate of psychotrauma at the first consultation was 112. It was highest among people aged 29 to 49 and among women, and varied by nationality. These results indicate a high prevalence of psychotraumatic syndromes in this population, higher than the prevalence of mental disorders reported in studies of the general population. Conclusion - The frequency and characteristics of mental disorders among vulnerable migrants and foreigners necessitate the development of research combining epidemiological surveys and qualitative studies, as well as the evolution of the diagnostic categories used. (R.A.)