Previous research suggests that practising physicians are more likely than the general population to use psychotropic drugs. Hypnotic and tranquillizer use in France is among the highest in Europe; most hypnotic and tranquillizer prescriptions are written by general practitioners (GPs). The objective was to compare the hypnotic and tranquillizer use of GPs in private practice in Provence (south-eastern France) with that of the general population and to study factors associated with physicians' hypnotic and tranquillizer use. A cross-sectional telephone survey was carried out with a panel of 600 GPs in Provence. The data were collected with a 53-item questionnaire about their social and demographic status, family, occupation, training, information-seeking behaviour, job satisfaction, hypnotic and tranquillizer drug use, tranquillizer and antidepressant prescriptions. The data were analysed using univariate and backward multiple logistic regressions. We found that GPs in Provence use hypnotics and tranquillizers at a significantly higher rate than the general population. We found significant associations with hypnotic and tranquillizer use only among the older group of GPs (older than 48 years). In this group, this drug use was related to the volume of services provided (billing sector), job dissatisfaction, lack of training, the 'family burden' and tranquillizer prescriptions. The strains associated with both medical practice and family burden have some influence on hypnotic and tranquillizer use among GPs; individual factors may influence prescribing attitudes and patient care as well.