FRANCE

Halal-friendly holidays

Capital - Paris and its surroundings

The capital is the heart of France; Paris is not called the city of love without reason. Much more than the Eiffel Tower, Paris is a city with a marvelous heritage; sing “Aux Champs Elysée” aloud as you stroll towards the Arc du Triomphe and wander through exquisite neighborhoods of Parisian architecture. Walk down the small streets of Montmartre; stroll by the Seine and venture outside the city center to discover the Palace of Versailles, Claude Monet's house and Disneyland Paris.

South - Marseille, Montpellier, St Tropez, Cannes, Nice and Provence

A visit to the South of France is an opportunity to live the dream of the rich. The Côte d'Azur is mesmerizing and the southern vibe exudes elegance and extravagance. Southern cities beg you to enjoy all the treasures of the outdoors: waterfalls, verdant gardens, well-preserved old towns, open-air movies and historical monuments. Admire the lavender fields in Provence in the spring. Marseilles is multicultural and vibrant.

South-East - The Alps, Lyon, Grenoble

The Southeast has a lot to offer: picturesque towns, remarkable lakes and parks, and delicious specialties. From the traboules of Lyon via Vienne to the discovery of Greek, Roman and medieval ruins, ending in Grenoble, the town of Champollion at the foot of the famous Alps. We suggest you fall in love with the Alps: go skiing or yoga in the open air, taste the dairy and regional products, the adventures are just beginning.

East - Strasbourg, Alsace, Lorraine

The Grand Est of France welcomes adventurers intrigued by French history, culture and gastronomy. The east houses the timeline of French history; the medieval heritage of Lorraine and Troyes, fortified cities, Renaissance art, Gothic cathedrals in Strasbourg, all surrounded by a breathtaking natural environment, notably the Vosges mountains and its many lakes.

West - Nantes, Rennes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux

The West faces the Atlantic Sea which distinguishes this region of France, the capes have a sublime and wild presence. The great west with crashing waves, stunning vistas and resilient islands reminds us of the power of nature. Rennes offers a nice variety of architectural styles and a nostalgic liveliness. La Rochelle and Bordeaux are beautiful cities that hide truly French wonders.

North / Hauts-de-France - Lille, Calais, Dunkirk

Often forgotten, the north is more of a crossing point than a visiting stop. Its proximity to England, Belgium and the Netherlands means an intertwined history. Hauts-de-France was an important scene in the Middle Ages, the industrial revolution and the two world wars. Lille is a city with a welcoming and warm atmosphere; visit the old stock exchange and the palace of fine arts to understand the cultural influence of Lille. The northern coast has a favorable climate for sports activities in the air or at sea.

Fast foods, American burgers, French tacos, North African, West African cuisine and Oriental restaurants are all examples of halal choices readily available throughout France, particularly in cities and near places of worship.

The immigration of Muslim peoples to France brought their halal cuisines and priorities. The multicultural neighborhoods linked by Islam have also enabled the emergence of a fusion cuisine. Head to these neighborhoods where you can locate grocery stores, butchers, and halal stores. As a last resort, supermarkets like Auchan and Carrefour have halal and kosher sections.

If you are looking for halal French cuisine, the restaurants Le Jumeyrah and Les Grands Enfants in Paris allow Muslims to taste French gastronomy.

Paris is home to the largest number of Muslims in the European Union, with its Seine-Saint-Denis district having the most mosques, schools and Islamic associations. The number of Muslims in the population of Marseille is 20%. The Muslim population in France is mostly found in the east and south of France.

Nimes, in Languedoc-Roussillon, a city bordering Provence and the Balearic Sea, is a point of interest for Muslims perhaps the ancient city, rich with vestiges of the Middle Ages. Stroll through the medieval streets and make your way to the Porte d'Espagne, which is near three Muslim tombs dating back to 719. This, along with new research, indicates the presence of Islam in France since the year 650.

The Quai Branly Museum in Paris, with its collections from North Africa and the Near East, is linked with the colonial history of France and houses a million objects from the territories colonized by France . They include objects from North Africa and the Near East, intertwined with Islamic stories about their making. Discover the complex history of Islam and France through this educational experience.

The Arab World Institute in Paris is an ideal place for Muslims during their stay in Paris. It is a complex offering festivities and activities for everyone, a museum, a cinema, shows, restaurants, cafes and workshops with regular program change. Book one of the hotels in the Latin Quarter for easy access to the Arab World Institute.

The Muslim Centre of Marseille offers events and activities designed for the public. The “S'il te plaît dessine-moi un livre" ("Please Draw Me a Book”) program teaches Muslim families and children about environmental stewardship. Each year The Annual Meeting of Muslims from the South allows Muslims to establish contacts. The center houses the Zitouna bookstore, which sells Islamic books and habits and more. This center is a place to visit for all Muslims who are looking for a cultural holiday.

The French Institute of Muslim Civilization in Lyon frequently houses Islamic art, literature, music and cinema. It is a cultural and ideal place for halal tourism in France. The building is surrounded by geometric patterns of traditional art and the architecture echoes the architecture of the Islamic world. The institute organizes calligraphy, poetry and philosophy workshops for the public.

The Islamic Arts Department of the Louvre Museum, one of the most renowned museums in the world in Paris, has dedicated a collection with nearly 3000 Islamic objects on display for the benefit of its visitors. This department allows Muslim travellers to immerse themselves in the stories of their ancestors and to understand the Islamic relationship between France and Islam.

France is home to around 2,300 mosques or prayer facilities for a population of around 5.7 million Muslims. You will find a place to pray in all the cities of France and the mosques take women and children into consideration. Stroll around the mosque areas because most of the time you will find halal shops, cafes and restaurants there.

• Grand Mosque of Paris
  The Grand Mosque of Paris is a capsule of the Islamic world, nestled in the very centre of Paris. It was completed in 1926, after years of planning and negotiations between the French and Moroccan authorities. Its architecture is a beautiful mix of white and green (the colors of Islam) and an ode to the Kairaouine Mosque in Fez and the Zaytuna Mosque in Tunis.

• Great Mosque of Strasbourg
  The Great Mosque of Strasbourg on the banks of the Ill river is the largest mosque in France and looks like a flower in full bloom. It is a modern conception of Islam in France and is open for prayer and the teaching of Muslim children, hosting many conferences for the public and tourists.

• Great Mosque of Lyon
  The architecture of the Grand Mosque of Lyon is a mixture of rich influences from the Muslim world and is a proof of multicultural beauty. This combines traces of the Maghreb with the roots of France and even influences from Persia. The mosque was financed by a king of Saudi and designed by two people from Lyon.

• Great Mosque of Argenteuil
  Also nicknamed Al-Ihsan Mosque, it is located in Argenteuil, northwest of Paris, and hosts 2,300 worshippers. Its Moorish style building gives the impression of a building in the middle of the desert. A visit on Friday will be exciting and a great getaway for the family.

• Great Mosque of Toulouse
  The Grand Mosque of Toulouse is a magnificent building in its presence and purpose. The Al-Azhari Institute, which is located in the Grand Mosque, propagates the teachings of Islam and Arabic.