T rust belts and foreland basins record the main phases of orogenic evolution. T ey are shaped by the coupled inf uence of deep (f exure, plate rheology and - nematics) and surf cial (erosion, sedimentation) geological processes, at dif erent time scales. T rust belts and foreland basins constitute important targets for sci- tists interested in both fundamental and applied (f uids, hydrocarbons) aspects. In the framework of a new cycle of workshops of the ILP task force on "Sedim- tary Basins", a three-day meeting on "T rust Belts and Foreland Basins" was or- nized in December 2005 on behalf of the Societe Geologique de France and the - ciedad Geologica de Espana, hosted by the Institut Francais du Petrole near Paris. T e main purpose of the meeting was to of er the opportunity for Earth scientists from dif erent disciplines, i. e. geologists, geophysicists and geochemists, to present and share their dif erent knowledge on the processes governing the evolution of orogenic belts and adjacent forelands.
A special emphasis had been given to make a "bridge" between the most recent advances in surface processes, geochemistry, provenance studies, f eld studies, analogue and numerical modelling, high reso- tion seismicity, and hydrocarbon prospect in forelands basins. T e conference was successful in bringing together scientists from academia and industry from nearly 20 countries.