Introduction: It is widely acknowledged that engaging in physical and sports activities brings health benefits. However, participating in sports can also have drawbacks. Alongside the often-discussed risks of doping and sudden death among athletes, the risk of sustaining a traumatic injury while participating in sports is less frequently mentioned. Yet this risk of trauma exists, as documented by numerous medical and scientific publications in epidemiology and prevention abroad. In France, studies of this type only began to appear in the mid-2000s. Methods: A review of the literature on the epidemiology of sports-related trauma was conducted to present the key findings in this field in France. Results: Traumatic sports injuries are documented through hospital surveys: the Ongoing Survey of Accidents in Daily Life; a survey conducted between 2008 and 2010 on hospitalized patients in Côte-d'Or. Data also come from population-based surveys: Health Barometers between 2000 and 2010; Health and Social Protection Surveys since 2002; school-based surveys of students in the final year of preschool, fifth grade, and ninth grade since 2003–2004; and a 2010 ministerial survey on physical and sports activities in France. Thematic studies also contribute to the epidemiological understanding of sports injuries: mountain accidents through the National Mountain Safety Monitoring System and surveys by mountain doctors, particularly regarding the use of ski helmets; certain surveys concerning accidents in kitesurfing, ice hockey, rugby, drowning, etc. Literature reviews (rugby and horseback riding accidents) have been conducted. A retrospective analysis of accidental deaths reported in the media following a sporting activity is also available. Discussion: given the very large number of people participating in sports or physical activity in France, and their potential increase in the coming years, particularly among seniors, the epidemiological studies conducted over the past decade provide a certain level of understanding regarding the occurrence and risk factors of sports injuries. However, these results are often too general to lead to incidence estimates and to appropriate prevention measures with verifiable effectiveness. Conclusion: a better understanding of the number, circumstances, risk factors, severity, and consequences of traumatic accidents occurring during sports practice is necessary to ensure their prevention.