For the first time an extensive characterisation of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) bark condensed tannins was conducted. Extractives were obtained from the bark of maritime pine from the south west of France using 1% NaOH and 5% NaOH at 70 degrees C and 80 degrees C. For each extraction, extraction yield, total polyphenols (Folin-Ciocalteu), condensed tannins and reactivity to formaldehyde (Stiasny number) were quantified. The extracts were characterised by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The higher extraction yields originated from an extraction with 5% NaOH at 80 degrees C. The extracts obtained with 1% NaOH at 70 degrees C had the highest amounts of total polyphenols, condensed tannins and reactivity to formaldehyde. Absorbance at 1260 cm(-1), 1440 cm(-1) and 1495 cm-1 were only detected for extracts obtained with 1% NaOH. RP-HPLC revealed that catechin was the main condensed tannin in the extracts, lower quantities of epicatechin and epicatechin gallate were also measured.