A street in Strasbourg
Guide Poland → France · community · checked 1 Nov 2026

The Polish community in France

How many Polish people live in France, where Polish Mass and schools are, and how to keep a piece of home close.

Photo: Pexels
In numbers

How many Polish people live in France?

According to Eurostat, 85,466 people born in Poland lived in France at the start of 2025, 53,838 of them Polish citizens. On top come the descendants of earlier waves, such as the Polish miners in the north of France.

85,466born in Poland (2025)
53,838Polish citizens
87,790born in Poland in 2023
1 monthdeposit (unfurnished)
2022TV fee abolished

Eurostat (INSEE figures, 1 January 2023 and 2025).

Where people live

Where Polish people live in France

Polish people live all over France: the largest group (about 4 in 10) in the Paris region, and historically in the north, where Polish miners settled.

IDF
Paris and aroundThe most jobs; the Polish embassy is here.
NPC
The north of FranceLille and the old mining area, where Polish miners settled.
LYS
LyonThe Polish consulate general in Lyon.
Community life

A piece of home, close by

Mass
The Polish church in ParisNotre-Dame de l'Assomption, in the 1st arrondissement, has been the Polish church since 1844 and is the seat of the Polish Mission in France.
Sch
Six Polish schoolsSix Polish schools are linked to the embassy and the Lyon consulate: two in Paris, and one each in Aulnay-sous-Bois, Lyon, Strasbourg and Lille. The Paris school, founded in 1842, is the oldest Polish school outside Poland.
PL
Embassy in Paris, consulate in LyonThe embassy in Paris and a consulate general in Lyon, which covers the south and centre-east of France, Corsica included. Consuls also hold consular days in cities such as Lille, Strasbourg, Toulouse and Nice.
Shop
Polish shopsIn many towns, and Polish food in the big supermarket chains too.
Mass
The Polish chapel at Notre-DameIn November 2025 a copy of the icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa, rescued from the chapel in the 2019 fire, went back into the Polish Chapel of Notre-Dame Cathedral.
1838
The Polish Library in ParisFounded by Polish emigrés in 1838, at 6 quai d'Orléans on the Île Saint-Louis since 1853, with archives of the Great Emigration and collections on Mickiewicz and Chopin.
IP
The Polish Institute in ParisReopened in May 2026 at rue Jean Goujon after renovation, with a 100-seat cinema and an exhibition space.
1919
1919: the emigration conventionPoland and France signed a convention on emigration and immigration on 3 September 1919.
2008
Open labour market since 2008France gave workers from Poland free access to its labour market in 2008.
TV
Polish 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 Polish. Live in France, on your TV.

How to watch Polish TV in France →
Advertisement: almost 400 Polish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Online

Where Polish people in France meet online

Much of the community talks on Facebook: jobs, flats, advice and events, in Polish.

FB
Your town's groupSearch Facebook groups for “Polacy we Francji” or “Polacy w Paryżu”.
PL
The embassy's pageThe Polish embassy in Paris.gov.pl →

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

Quick answers

Questions people ask

How many Polish people live in France?

85,466 people born in Poland at the start of 2025, 53,838 of them Polish citizens (Eurostat).

Where do most Polish people in France live?

In the Paris region and the north of France, and in big cities such as Lyon.

Is there Mass in Polish in France?

The Polish Catholic Mission in France holds Mass in Polish in many towns. The embassy's page (gov.pl) has the details.

Are there Facebook groups for Polish people in France?

Yes. Search Facebook groups for “Polacy we Francji” or “Polacy w Paryżu”.

Where is the Polish church in Paris?

Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, on Place Maurice Barrès in the 1st arrondissement. It is the main church of the Polish community and the seat of the Polish Mission in France.

Where do I get a Polish passport in France?

At any Polish consular office in France, in person, after booking on e-Konsulat. An adult passport costs 140 euros, plus 10 euros if you want it sent by post.

Can I get a Polish ID card at the embassy in France?

No. Consulates do not issue Polish ID cards: you apply in Poland, at any municipal office (urząd gminy).

Can I watch Polish TV in France?

Yes. Our Polish TV in France guide shows every option, from the free TVP Polonia channel to all-in-one subscriptions.

More for Polish people in France

Guides for you

Polish TV in FranceEvery Polish channel, live, and how the official apps compare.The Polish community in FranceHow many, where people live, Polish Mass and schools, and where people meet online.Moving from Poland to FranceA plain checklist: before you go and your first weeks.
Sources