Introduction. The influenza A(H1N1) pandemic alert was issued in April 2009. From that date onward, influenza-related data generated by the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) syndromic surveillance system were analyzed in a specific manner. The objective is to describe the evolution of the epidemic in France between May 2009 and January 2010 using a non-specific surveillance system (SurSaud system). Method. This surveillance system, developed by the InVS since 2004, includes 230 emergency departments (Oscour® Network) and 54 SOS Médecins associations. Each participating site sends daily individual patient information to the InVS, including: age, sex, diagnosis, and patient referral. The data are processed daily. Four age groups were defined (0–5, 6–14, 15–64, and 65 years and older). Influenza diagnoses were identified based on the thesauri of the data sources, as well as the disposition of patients with an influenza diagnosis (hospitalization or not). Analyses were conducted on a regional geographic basis. Results. Daily data analysis showed a rapid increase in the use of these healthcare facilities for influenza starting in October in the Île-de-France region, followed by a decline beginning in early November. The epidemic was then observed in other regions, reaching its peak in the last days of November. The youngest age groups were affected more significantly than others. Discussion/Conclusion. This monitoring, based on a system not specific to influenza and activated upon the first alert, made it possible to track the progression of influenza over time and space (including the French overseas departments) on an ongoing basis. While it does not allow for a complete quantification of the number of cases, it provided continuous, real-time (with a 24-hour lag) insight into the progression of the epidemic in France. (R.A.)