Abstract
This work is part of the GIS programs RENASEC « Climate-Society-Environment (CEA-CNRS-Ecole Polytechnique) and CLIMURBS (MEEDAT-CNRS). It takes into account, the Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillon and Rhône-Alpes, all in a transboundary context (Spain, Italy, Switzerland and Germany), extreme events such low flows, droughts and heatwaves occurred since the 1500s to 1900s. Very accurate records can reconstruct ancient events (since the 16th century) and gauge their severity according to the descriptions (dry fountains, interruption of river traffic, etc.). Thanks to a unique material (textual and instrumental), this work shows that the phenomena of droughts and heat waves are a historical constant. Some regions have experienced very long episodes of low rainfall which the social and economic consequences recall very contemporary situations. The geographical comparison also shows that periods of unusually dry and warm affected to the whole of Europe, particularly in the second half of the 16th century to early 18th century and finally since the 1960s.