Introduction - Dengue fever is the leading emerging vector-borne disease worldwide. It is estimated that two-fifths of the world’s population are at risk. A potential vector (Aedes albopictus) is present in four departments in southeastern mainland France. Method - We sought to document the number of imported dengue cases diagnosed between 2001 and 2006, as well as their main characteristics. Results - Between 12 and 28 imported dengue cases were diagnosed per month during this period (8 to 18 cases per month if we exclude the years 2001–2002, during which a major epidemic was reported in the Caribbean). Nearly 40% of the diagnosed cases occurred from June through September, the period of vector activity in mainland France. Conclusions - These data highlight the particularly close link between the situation in endemic areas (Martinique, reflecting the situation in the French departments of the Americas, DFA) and the importation of cases into mainland France. The existence of this "importation corridor" implies the need to strengthen the system for detecting and managing imported dengue cases in mainland France as soon as a dengue epidemic is detected in the DFA.