OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the perception, knowledge, opinions and beliefs about AD in the French population to improve care for patients with Alzheimer's disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional telephone survey in 2008. SETTING: French "Alzheimer Plan 2008-2012". PARTICIPANTS: 2013 respondents, representative of the French population. MEASUREMENTS: The respondents answered a questionnaire in which they were presented with a series of attitudinal statements about health in general and AD. RESULTS: Main results are summarized as followed: (a) Respondents think that AD can be devastating for a family (93%). This devastating feeling prevails in the population >75 years old and in people who know patient with AD. (b) General population has a reasonable knowledge about AD, but is still unable to recognize early stages: 95% of respondents considered that difficulties to manage administrative papers and find their way back home suggest early AD. (c) 91% of the population would like to know the diagnosis if they had AD. (d) 38% of the population know or have known at least one patient within their social circle. People think that the care of AD's patient can be better but they trust in the French government to improve it. CONCLUSION: General representation of AD is changing in a positive way and, even though AD is perceived as a calamity, people are confident that solutions will be found in the future.[résumé auteur]