OBJECTIVES: A description of the management by French rheumatologists (R) of patients suffering from fibromyalgia (FMS). METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all practicing R in France (estimated at 2500). RESULTS: Four-hundred and eighteen (418) questionnaires were returned (16.7% response rate). Two-hundred random responses gave the following profile of the R: male 68%, mean age 49.3. Our R population is equivalent to the national profile (1). A total of 70% of the R declared treating FMS patients, 82% of which have 5 or more patients, 55% 10 or more. Each R has an average of 30 FMS patients and 94% affirm prescribing fundamental treatments to their FMS patients: 69% prescribe analgesics (A), 79% tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), 44% serotoninergic antidepressants (SA), 33% hypnotics/sedatives (H/S), 5% homeopathic treatments (H) and 2% morphine derived treatments (MD). Ninety percent (90%) prescribe symptomatic relief treatments: 73% prescribe A, 25% TCA, 17% SA, 32% HS, 9% H and 3% MD. A total of 94% of R recommend or prescribe other forms of treatment: 41% recommend acupuncture, 3% chiropractic treatment, 16% hypnotherapy, 45% spas, 12% osteopathy and 90% recommend relaxation techniques while 93% physical exercise, 80% swimming, 71% going on regular walks, 67% yoga, 49% stretching and 37% bicycling. CONCLUSIONS: Most R have an important number of patients suffering from FMS in their care. The prescribing of analgesics is not systematic (69% prescribe them as a fundamental treatment and 73% as a symptomatic one); whereas antidepressants are commonly prescribed, as is the recommendation of other alternatives (acupuncture, spas…). Physical exercise is also strongly recommended such as stretching or bicycling.