Free two-hour health check available to all

You can have a free comprehensive health check-up, aimed at identifying future potential issues and giving advice.

This service is open to all residents who are part of the state health system. It is called an examen de prévention en santé (previously known as a bilan de santé gratuit).

The check-up lasts around two-and-a-half hours and is carried out at one of some 85 centres d’examens de santé around the country.

Occasionally, if there is a lot of demand, a waiting list is established, with priority to certain groups, including those on low-income benefits, the unemployed, disabled people, over-60s and young people starting work.

To apply, contact your health caisse (usually Cpam), for example by telephone on 3646 or via your Ma Messagerie section at ameli.fr if you have an online account.

Some areas have an online form to fill in, including Île-de-France.

In other areas, search with the term examen de prévention en santé at ameli.fr, supplying your postcode if prompted to do so.

Information on booking should be provided in a section called Près de chez vous, if this is available in your area.

The examen de prévention en santé will be tailored according to what details you give in your application form.

The check-up can include blood and urine tests, height and weight, eyesight and hearing, dental health, an electrocardiogram, blood pressure, breath capacity, memory tests and a talk with a dietician.

The session will finish with an interview with a doctor to sum things up and, if necessary, to discuss further follow-up tests you could do.

Note that Agirc-Arrco, the complementary pension body for private sector workers, has 14 check-up centres of its own in France, where over-50s can do a free medical, social and psychological check-up every three to five years.

Aside from this, everyone can benefit from a free medical appointment, called un bilan prévention, at age 25, 45 and 65 to make an assessment of their physical and mental health.

You can ask about these during another appointment with a doctor, nurse or midwife, or see a list of local professionals who offer them. Some pharmacists also offer them.

At 25, it will centre on issues such as vaccinations, physical activity, addiction risks and issues linked to starting working life.

At 45, it will also look at physical activity, any mental health risks and give a reminder of screening programmes for cancer and cardiovascular issues.

At 65, as the person reaches retirement age, it will consider issues around autonomous living, screening for cancer and other illnesses of old age, and mental health issues linked to the end of working life.