This paper presents a thermochronological study of the Western European basement in the Maures-Tanneron massif (MTM), using zircon and apatite fission-track data, in addition to apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He analyses. The combination of these methods with inverse thermal modelling allows us to trace the thermal history of this massif from the Late Triassic to the present day. The study identifies several thermal events that are linked to two major tectonic phases at 120–40 Ma and 40–15 Ma. These new results prompt us to re-evaluate the thermal evolution and exhumation of Western European basement of the Provence region. We distinguish four episodes. (i) A period characterized by constant temperature contemporaneous with Triassic magmatic activity and Tethys rifting (ii) a period of sedimentary burial heating of the MTM associated with the Cretaceous Pyrenean rift evolution (iii) subsequent N–S Pyrenean inversion at 75 Ma, causing cooling and exhumation of the MTM, (iv) opening of the West European rift system and the Liguro-Provençal basin, which resulted in heating from 35 to 15 Ma and post 15 Ma cooling of the MTM. This study also provides insights into the paleogeography of the MTM and demonstrates its evolution at the cross-roads between the Pyrenean and Alpine orogens.

The Vocontian Basin in southeastern France records a long-lived history of subsidence and polyphase deformation at the junction of Alpine and Pyrenean orogenic systems. This study aims to reconstruct the tectonic, burial and thermal evolution of this basin, based on new U–Pb dating of calcite from veins and faults combined with new RSCM (Raman Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Material) thermometry and stratigraphy-based burial models. Three main generations of calcite are identified: (1) the Late Cretaceous to Paleocene period related to the Pyrenean-Provençal convergence (∼ 84–50 Ma); (2) the Oligocene period linked to the extension of the West European Rift (∼ 30–24 Ma); and (3) the Miocene period, ascribed to strike-slip and compression associated with the Alpine collision (∼ 12–7 Ma). No older ages related to the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous rifting phase are obtained, despite targeted sampling near normal faults, suggesting highly localized syn-rift fluid circulation or dissolution of early calcite mineralization during subsequent tectonic events. RSCM data highlight a pronounced east–west thermal gradient. Peak temperatures are below 100 °C in the west and exceed 250 °C in the eastern basin, reflecting greater crustal thinning and salt diapirism in the eastern Vocontian Basin with the overlapping Jurassic and Cretaceous rifting phases. These results emphasize the significant impact of the West European Rift in south-eastern France. They further highlight the potential mismatch between large-scale tectonic processes and the tectonic history inferred from calcite U–Pb dating, which is sensitive to the presence of fluids and the physical conditions required for their preservation.

The Vocontian Basin in southeastern France records a long-lived history of subsidence and polyphase deformation at the junction of Alpine and Pyrenean orogenic systems. This study aims to reconstructed the geodynamical evolution of this basin, based on new U–Pb dating of calcite from veins and faults combined with RSCM thermometry and stratigraphy-based burial models. Three main generations of calcites are dated: (1) Late Cretaceous to Paleocene dates related to Pyrenean-Provençal convergence (~84–50 Ma); (2) Oligocene dates linked to the West European Rift extension (~30–24 Ma); and (3) Miocene dates ascribed to strike-slip and compression associated with Alpine collision (~12–7 Ma). No older ages related to the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous rifting phases are obtained suggesting limited syn-rift fluid circulation or subsequent dissolution of early calcite mineralization. RSCM data highlight a pronounced E–W thermal gradient, with peak temperatures exceeding 250 °C in the eastern basin, consistent with crustal thinning and/or salt diapirism. These results emphasize the large-scale impact of the opening of the West European Rift in SE France and underscore the possible mismatch between the large-scale tectonics and the tectonic history inferred from calcite U–Pb dating, which is sensible to presence of fluids and the physical conditions for their preservations.