The presence of carotenoids in 22 species of lichens from France was studied. The Investigations revealed the presence of the following carotenoids : a-carotene, B-carotene, IH:ryptoxanthin, lutein, 3'epilutein, zeaxanthin, 8-carotene monoepoxide, lutein epoxide, antheraxanthin, vlolaxanthin, luteoxanthln, mutatoxanthln, neoxanthln, a-doradexanthln, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin.The total carotenoid content of the material ranged from 19.71 (Parmelia mougeoti~ to 189.51 JJg.g·• dry weight ( Caloplaca chrysophtha/ma).