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Guide the Arab world → France · community · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Arab community in France

How many Arab people live in France, where they live, and how to keep a piece of home close.

Photo: Pexels
In numbers

How many Arab people live in France?

According to INSEE's 2022 census, about 2.1 million people in mainland France were born in Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia: nearly one immigrant in three.

2.1 millionborn in the Maghreb
887,000born in Algeria
839,000born in Morocco
330,000born in Tunisia
29.9%of all immigrants

Our calculation from INSEE's census 2022 shares (mainland France: 6,877,694 immigrants; 12.9% born in Algeria, 12.2% in Morocco, 4.8% in Tunisia). People born in France are not counted, and other Arab countries are not listed separately.

Where people live

Where they live in France

Most in the Paris region, then in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Occitanie.

IDF
Île-de-FranceAbout 768,000 born in Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia: Paris and its suburbs.
ARA
Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesAbout 256,000, around Lyon.
PACA
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'AzurAbout 243,000, around Marseille and Nice.
OCC
OccitanieAbout 193,000, around Toulouse and Montpellier.

Our calculation from INSEE's regional shares (census 2022).

Community life

A piece of home, close by

Msq
The Grande Mosquée de ParisIts first stone was laid on 19 October 1922 and it was inaugurated on 15 July 1926: 100 years in 2026. Open to visitors every day except Fridays and Muslim holidays.
Edu
Arabic at the Institut du monde arabeThe Institut du monde arabe in Paris teaches Arabic to children and teenagers aged 5 to 16, in groups by level. Associations and mosques run weekend classes too.
Emb
Embassies and consulatesYour country's embassy and consulates: passports and papers.
Shop
Noailles in MarseilleIn central Marseille, around the daily Marché des Capucins, a food market founded in 1956: fruit and vegetables, butchers and spices.
TV
No TV feeFrance abolished its TV licence fee in 2022.
Msq
The Grande Mosquée de LyonInaugurated on 30 September 1994, at 146 boulevard Pinel in Lyon's 8th district.
IMA
Institut du monde arabeOn the Seine in Paris, designed by a team with Jean Nouvel and opened in December 1987, with a museum, a library and a roof terrace.
TV
Arabic TVThe channels from home, live in France.Read the TV guide →
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Miss home?

The channels you grew up with, here

The news from home, your series, the big matches and the kids' cartoons in Arabic. Live in France, on your TV.

How to watch Arabic TV in France →
Advertisement: Arabic channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Online

Where Arab people in France meet online

For jobs, rooms, advice and events, many people use Facebook groups and city pages.

FB
Your town's groupSearch Facebook groups for “العرب في باريس” or “Arabs in Paris” or your town's name.
Info
service-public.frFrance's official public-service site: papers, rights and steps.service-public.fr →

Stay safe: groups are great for jobs and rooms, but never send money or photos of your ID to someone you only know from a group.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How many Arab people live in France?

About 2.1 million people in mainland France were born in Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia (INSEE, 2022 census; our calculation from its shares).

Where do most Arab people in France live?

Most in the Paris region, then in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (Lyon), Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Marseille) and Occitanie (Toulouse).

Where can children learn Arabic?

At the Institut du monde arabe in Paris (ages 5 to 16), and at associations and mosques, often at the weekend.

Are there Facebook groups for Arab people in France?

Yes. Search Facebook for “العرب في باريس” or “Arabs in Paris” or your town's name.

When did the Grande Mosquée de Paris open?

It was inaugurated on 15 July 1926; the first stone was laid on 19 October 1922. That makes 2026 its 100th year.

Can I watch Arabic TV in France?

Yes. Our Arabic TV in France guide shows every option.

More for Arab people in France

Guides for you

Arabic TV in FranceThe Arabic channels live, and how the official options compare.The Arab community in FranceHow many, where people live, mosques, Arabic lessons and where people meet online.
Sources