This species' preferred habitats are dry or damp stony areas (including drystone walls). It is also observed in dunes, flooded quarries and cultivated areas. It is often present in calcareous or sandy areas. Occasionally, they can also be found in caves (I. Martinez-Solano pers. comm. June 2020). Aquatic habitats, where it breeds, include shallow, sunny, open (often ephemeral or temporary) waters, small pools, ditches and slow, small streams with a sandy substrate. It can occur in traditionally farmed areas.

This species was previously found in western Portugal, northern, central and eastern Spain, most of France (e.g. Sillero et al. 2014), and in coastal northwestern Italy (only in Ligury and southern Piedmont). In Portugal there is limited information on the distribution of this species in relation to Pelodytes ibericus. However, following genetic, morphological and acoustic analysis, the subpopulations from Portugal have now been assigned to Pelodytes atlanticus (Díaz-Rodríguez et al. 2017, Dufresnes et al. 2020). It occurs from sea level up to 2,000 m asl. Despite occurring near the border, it is considered to be absent from Luxembourg (M. Denoël pers. comm. June 2020).

Conservation Actions In-Place
This species is present in a number of protected areas (including several NATURA 2000 sites), and is recorded in several national and subnational Red Data Books and lists. It is also protected by national legislation throughout its range states (Gasc et al. 1997) and is listed on Appendix III of the Berne Convention. 

Conservation Needed
In some areas protection of temporary ponds is a conservation priority for the species, and improved management of existing protected areas.