Abstract: An accelerometer of the shear type comprises a base (1) with uprights (2) supporting one or more seismic masses (3) by way of one or more piezoelectric elements (4). According to the invention, the seismic mass(es) (3) and the piezoelectric elements (4) are arranged between the uprights (2). The seismic masses (3) and the piezoelectric elements are clamped between the uprights (2) by means of a clamping ring (5). The resulting resonance frequency is very high, and the accelerometer is less sensitive to temperature transients, magnetic fields and easier to produce than the known accelerometers.