We quantify the emissions from the marine sector in northern France, whether from natural or human-made sources. Therefore, a 1-year PM₁₀ sampling campaign was conducted at a French coastal site. Results showed that sea salts contributed 37 %, while secondary nitrate and sulfate contributed 42 %, biomass burning 8 %, and heavy-fuel-oil combustion from shipping emissions 5 %. Sources contributing more than 80 % of PM₁₀ are of regional and/or long-range origin.