This article presents an epidemiological and virological overview of influenza activity in metropolitan France during the 2015–2016 season. Methods: This report is based on a descriptive analysis of influenza surveillance data provided by outpatient medical networks, virological analyses, reports of acute respiratory infection (ARI) episodes in elderly care facilities, surveillance of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for influenza, surveillance of severe influenza cases hospitalized in intensive care units, and mortality data. Results: The influenza epidemic began in late January in Brittany and spread to the entire mainland the following week (week 4/2016), ending 11 weeks later. The estimated number of medical visits for influenza-like illness was 2.3 million during the epidemic. Children (under 15 years of age) accounted for 42% of visits for influenza-like illness. The majority of circulating influenza viruses were of the B/Victoria type, a virus not included in the vaccine. The majority of cases admitted to intensive care were unvaccinated. Conclusion: The 2015–2016 influenza epidemic was late in onset, prolonged, but of moderate magnitude and severity. The absence of the B/Victoria strain in the vaccine appears to have had a very limited impact.