During the thermal quench of a disruption, the plasma current profile flattens and a huge toroidal electric field appears in the core plasma region. Thus fast electrons experiencing low collisionality can be freely accelerated up to several tens MeV. During the current quench an avalanching process takes place leading to a multiplication of these runaway electrons (RE). The impact of RE on the first wall is well localized due to their small pitch angle. The energy deposition may be huge and plasma facing components (PFC) damages are currently reported. The RE formation and their consequence on the machine components have been identified as a major issue for ITER operation [1]. RE beams lasting several seconds can be observed on Tore Supra for disruption occurring during the plasma current ramp-up [2]. A current of several hundred of kilo amps, corresponding to 20-60% of the pre-disruptive plasma current can be associated to these beams. Experiments have been recently carried out to better characterize these RE beams and to assess different means for mitigating the effects of their impacts on the first wall: a control of the RE beam position such as driving the RE on dedicated PFC, a time spreading of the energy loss associated to a decelerating electric field for reducing the thermal loads, the use of massive noble gas injection (He and Ar) for slowing-down the RE were investigated. The photoneutron production, associated with electrons above 8-10 MeV, was used as an indicator of the amount of RE hitting the wall. 1. Characterization of the RE plateau regime: The line integrated electron density profile during the RE flat-top regime was assessed using IR interferometer. Its typical behaviour is a decrease below 10 18 m -2 at the end of the current quench, and then it recovers to 1-1.5 10 19 m -2