Abstract
A critical review of Devonian and Carboniferous paleomagnetic results from the Hercynian basement of Western and Central Europe reveals large rotations. Their geographic distribution suggests a tectonic origin for large scale curved structures, such as the Ibero‐Armorican arc or the Variscan V, together with a coherence of the Hercynian domain with time. Geodynamic models which can have produced the observed rotation pattern are discussed. It appears that lateral compression, due to the accommodation of continental collision as in the India‐Asia convergence, is a plausible mechanism although Variscan and Himalayan mountain belts have different characteristics.