Background – In countries historically affected by "female genital mutilation" (FGM), the prevalence of these practices is estimated directly based on surveys conducted among representative samples of women of reproductive age. In countries of migration, including France, such surveys do not exist, and estimates of the number of women affected have been made since the late 2000s using an indirect method known as extrapolation. Methods – The data used come from a new direct survey protocol, inspired by questionnaire-based surveys of women of reproductive age and developed in countries of origin. This data collection tool was tested in three French departments in 2021 in a sample of 41 healthcare facilities among 3,120 female patients aged 18 to 49. Among them, 2,507 women agreed to complete a short questionnaire primarily administered by healthcare professionals during their consultation. Results – The results reveal contrasting levels of practice across departments, ranging from 1% or less (in the Rhône and Alpes-Maritimes) to 7% in Seine-Saint-Denis. These varying prevalences correlate with the greater or lesser presence of women originating from “high-risk countries.” Conclusion – A comparison of these results with those from the indirect estimate shows that the latter is reliable in departments with low or moderate levels of involvement. However, in areas where the population originating from “high-risk countries” is overrepresented, the direct method proves to be more appropriate.