South Pacific
Between 1960 and 1996, France carried out a total of 210 nuclear tests in various ways, including atmospheric testing. The 1995 - 1996 testing consisted of a series of six weapons tests done in underground shafts. The tests occurred in French-controlled territory in the South Pacific region -- the Mururoa Atoll and the Fangataufa Atoll.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, signed by many nations together in September, 1996, brought a halt to most nuclear weapons testing. France's leaders signed the treaty in September, 1996, and the nation ratified that decision in April, 1998.
