The three-day event is typically held in early or mid-summer and the venue varies on an annual basis.

It is open to adults of all ages and is thus referred to as the senior or élite championships.

[1] The USFSA declined in favour of specialised national sports bodies early in the 20th century and FFA has organised the championships since 1921.

[2] On the current programme a total of 38 individual French Championship athletics events are contested, divided evenly between men and women.

Though fewer events were initially on offer in the women's track and field programme for the French championships, this was gradually expanded, with the 1500 m being introduced in 1969, the 3000 m in 1972, the 400 m hurdles in 1976, the triple jump in 1990, the hammer throw in 1994, and the pole vault in 1995.