A frequent and equal tendency to think positively about one's past and future has been conceptualised as a balanced time perspective (TP). Such a dispositional temporal orientation has been associated with higher life satisfaction and happiness. The aim of the present study was to develop and to validate a French version of the Balanced Time Perspective Scale (BTPS; Webster, 2011), which has been specifically designed to assess the combined use of positive future and past mental representations as resources for the self. Data were collected from an online survey in a sample of 622 French-speaking individuals from the general population. Results indicated that the French version of the BTPS replicated the 2-factor structure of the original questionnaire, and showed excellent internal consistency. External validity was supported by specific rela- tionships with measures of TP and positive affect. In addition, a high propensity to project oneself positively both in the future and the past was associated with greater use of cognitive reappraisal.