This study conducted a large nationwide postal survey in France to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain with or without neuropathic characteristics among the general population. A questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of 30,155 subjects, and 24,497 (81.2%) questionnaires were returned, with 23,712 (96.8%) assessed. The prevalence of chronic pain was 31.7%, and 19.9% reported moderate to severe pain intensity. Neuropathic characteristics were reported by 6.9% of respondents with chronic pain, with 5.1% experiencing moderate to severe pain. The prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics was higher in middle-aged individuals, manual workers, and those living in rural areas. The pain was more frequently located in the lower limbs and had higher intensity and duration compared to chronic pain without neuropathic characteristics. This study highlights the significant proportion of chronic pain patients who report neuropathic characteristics and suggests that chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics is a specific health problem with distinct socio-demographic and clinical features.This study conducted a large nationwide postal survey in France to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain with or without neuropathic characteristics among the general population. A questionnaire was sent to a representative sample of 30,155 subjects, and 24,497 (81.2%) questionnaires were returned, with 23,712 (96.8%) assessed. The prevalence of chronic pain was 31.7%, and 19.9% reported moderate to severe pain intensity. Neuropathic characteristics were reported by 6.9% of respondents with chronic pain, with 5.1% experiencing moderate to severe pain. The prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics was higher in middle-aged individuals, manual workers, and those living in rural areas. The pain was more frequently located in the lower limbs and had higher intensity and duration compared to chronic pain without neuropathic characteristics. This study highlights the significant proportion of chronic pain patients who report neuropathic characteristics and suggests that chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics is a specific health problem with distinct socio-demographic and clinical features.