Non-linear dynamic analysis of existing or planned structures often requires the use of accelerograms that match a target design spectrum. Here, our main concern is to generate a set of motions with a good level of fit to the Eurocode 8 (EC8) design spectra for France. Synthetic time series are generated by means of a non-stationary stochastic method. To calibrate the distributions of various strong-motion parameters, we first select a reference set of accelerograms for a type B site category from the PEER Ground-Motion Database, which are then adjusted to the target spectrum through wavelet addition. Finally, we analyse non-linear seismic responses of a soil column including pore pressure effects and ductile structures using these records, revealing considerable variability despite the similarities in terms of spectral acceleration.