This article provides a summary of the epidemiological and virological data regarding the influenza epidemic in France during the 2018–2019 season. Methods - This summary is based on a descriptive analysis of surveillance data on influenza or influenza-like illness reported by outpatient medical networks, virological analyses from partner laboratories, surveillance of emergency department visits and hospitalizations coded as influenza, surveillance of severe influenza cases hospitalized in intensive care units, reports of acute respiratory infection (ARI) episodes in elderly care facilities, and mortality data. Results - The influenza epidemic began in early January in mainland France, peaked during the first week of February, and ended in late February, lasting 8 weeks. Co-circulation of the A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses was observed during the epidemic, with a very small number of type B viruses detected. The epidemic was of moderate intensity in outpatient care but was characterized by a high number of hospitalizations following visits to emergency departments for influenza-like illness (>10,700) and severe cases admitted to intensive care (>1,800). This epidemic was also marked by significant excess mortality given its short duration, with approximately 8,100 deaths attributed to influenza. Conclusion - The 2018–2019 influenza epidemic was characterized by significant severity, despite its short duration, linked to the co-circulation of the A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in a context of insufficient vaccination coverage and variable vaccine efficacy depending on the virus. Its significant impact on hospitalizations and mortality underscores the severity of the disease and the importance of prevention—namely, vaccination of at-risk individuals, supplemented by barrier measures to limit the spread of the virus among contacts of cases—as well as the utility of early antiviral treatment, particularly in at-risk individuals.