France's health magazine sector spans consumer-focused titles aimed at women, emphasizing health and well-being, and independent publications exploring alternatives to conventional medicine. Newsstands offer options for every reader.
Top Santé, a monthly title, leads the market with over 530,000 copies in circulation. Published by the Mondadori group—home to titles like Closer, Grazia, and Télé Star—it's tailored to a female audience, covering health topics exclusively. (€2.90)
Santé Magazine follows closely with more than 480,000 monthly copies. Launched in 1976, it's from Uni-Editions, which also produces Dossier Familial, Régal, Détente Jardin, and Maison Créative, among others.
Trailing these giants are two bimonthly magazines: Vital (120,000 copies) and Vie Pratique Santé (Doctissimo, 110,000 copies). Vital, also from Mondadori, emphasizes fitness, nutrition, well-being, and beauty tips. (€3.50)
Vie Pratique Santé extended the popular Doctissimo.fr site (Lagardère Active) into print, focusing on health, prevention, and nutrition—but it has since discontinued its physical edition.
Many other mainstream health titles have shifted to digital formats via cost-effective websites, reigniting the ongoing debate between print and digital media.
Launched in 1977 as L'Impatient, it evolved into Alternative Santé-L'Impatient two decades later. Independent of government and pharmaceutical influences, it's published by the Santé Port-Royal cooperative and now available digitally only (one issue monthly, €24/year). It promotes natural alternatives to standard medical treatments.
The same publisher offers Plantes & Santé, a monthly print edition highlighting natural methods like phytotherapy, aromatherapy, and eco-friendly remedies for pain relief and health maintenance. (€4.20)
The standout in independent health journalism is Que Choisir Santé, building on the trusted consumer advocacy of its parent title Que Choisir. Amid lobby influences, this monthly delivers in-depth coverage of drugs, medical practices, and prevention through detailed reports, practical guides, and real-world insights. Available by subscription only (€29/year).
(Circulation data: OJD 2014)
