OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of asthma among children in France. METHODS: Data from three French national studies were analyzed: the Decennial Health Interview Survey conducted in 2003 among a representative sample of households, and two surveys conducted among representative samples of schoolchildren in 9th grade in 2003–2004 and 5th grade in 2004–2005. In the Decennial Health Interview Survey, data on respiratory health were collected using a self-administered questionnaire completed by 1,675 children aged 11–14 years living in selected households. For the studies among schoolchildren, 7,104 children in 5th grade and 7,284 in 9th grade were interviewed by the school nurse or physician using a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: The cumulative prevalence of asthma ranged from 12.3% to 13.4% depending on the survey, and the prevalence of current wheezing (wheezing in the past year) ranged from 8.3% to 10.1%. The prevalence of current asthma (current wheezing in a child who had already experienced an asthma attack or received treatment for wheezing or asthma in the past year) was nearly 9% among 5th- and 9th-grade students. Asthma was uncontrolled (at least 4 attacks, 1 episode of waking up at night per week, 1 severe attack, 4 unplanned medical visits, or 1 hospitalization in the past year) in 38.5% of the 598 asthmatic 9th-grade students, and 29.2% reported no anti-inflammatory medication use in the past week despite their asthma being uncontrolled. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of current asthma among children in France is estimated at 9%. Asthma control and treatment remain insufficient. Improving therapeutic and educational management of asthma among children and teenagers is necessary.