France

France is currently experiencing a wave of violent attacks and civil unrest. The situation is highly volatile and poses a significant risk to personal safety and security. We strongly advise against all non-crucial travel to France at this time. Reports indicate that several supermarkets and retail outlets have been looted in various cities throughout France. This criminal activity has led to a breakdown of law and order, creating an unsafe environment for residents and visitors alike. It is imperative to exercise extreme caution and avoid areas where demonstrations or looting may be taking place.

France, officially the French Republic (République française), is a country with which almost every traveller has a relationship. Many dream of its joie de vivre shown by the countless cafés, picturesque villages and world-famous gastronomy. Some come to follow the trail of France's great philosophers, writers and artists, or to immerse in the beautiful language it gave the world. And others still are drawn to the nation's geographical diversity with its long coastlines, massive mountain ranges and breathtaking farmland vistas.

France has been the world's most popular tourist destination for over twenty years. It received 83.7 million visitors in 2014, although these figures are highly skewed by the number of people who frequent the nation for the weekend, particularly to visit Disneyland Paris, Europe's most popular visitor attraction. All these people come to France for many a reason: its cities contain some of the greatest treasures on the continent, its countryside is prosperous and well-tended, and it boasts dozens of major tourist attractions. France is one of the most geographically diverse countries in Europe, containing areas as different from each other as urban chic Paris and the sunny French Riviera, long Atlantic beaches and the winter sports resorts of the French Alps and the castles of the Loire Valley, rugged Celtic Brittany and the historian's dream that is Normandy.

France is a country of rich emotions and turbulent politics but also a place of rational thinking and Enlightenment treasures. Above all, it is renowned for its cuisine, culture and history. Whatever you want from a holiday, you're about to find it in France.

Travel Warning: France Under Attacks and Looting Incidents

Date: July 1, 2023

Paris is currently experiencing a wave of violent attacks and civil unrest. The situation is highly volatile and poses a significant risk to personal safety and security. We strongly advise against all non-crucial travel to Paris at this time.

Reports indicate that several super markets and retail outlets have been looted in various parts of the city. This criminal activity has led to a breakdown of law and order, creating an unsafe environment for residents and visitors alike. It is imperative to exercise extreme caution and avoid areas where demonstrations or looting may be taking place.

We also want to emphasize that tensions are high and there have been instances of discrimination and violence targeting specific ethnic or religious groups. We strongly condemn any form of discrimination, but we must prioritize the safety of our travelers. We advise Muslim travelers, especially those who may not appear Caucasian, to exercise additional caution and consider avoiding travel to Paris until the situation stabilizes.

We urge all travelers currently in Paris to stay vigilant, stay indoors whenever feasible, and follow the guidance of local authorities. It is crucial to maintain awareness of the rapidly changing situation by regularly checking the news, contacting your hotel for updates, and following instructions provided by the local authorities.

France is currently pushed out of the Sahal region in West Africa. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger want the French out of the country.

An Introduction to the regions of France

Metropolitan France

"Metropolitan France" comprises the 12 administrative regions (régions) on the mainland plus Corsica, or in other words all French territory within Europe. These are distinct from the nation's overseas territories on other continents, which are talked about below. The 96 departments (départements) are the next level down of administrative division, two-thirds of them being named after a river, and most others taking after another natural feature, such as a mountain or forest.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes The home of French skiing, a large volcanic region and the magnificent city of Lyon.

Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Tons of medieval history, pleasing natural scenery.

Brittany Rugged western peninsula that is as Celtic as it is French.

Centre-Val de Loire A largely agricultural and viticultural region, featuring river valleys, châteaux and historic towns along the Loire Valley

Corsica Napoleon's birthplace is an Italian influenced subtropical island in the Mediterranean.

Grand-Est A region where wider European (and especially Germanic) culture has merged with the French, giving rise to interesting results.

Hauts-de-France A region where the world wars and the rise and fall of heavy industry have left many scars.

Île-de-France The region surrounding the French capital, Paris.

Normandy Some of France's most famed attractions, including Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day beaches and Claude Monet's home.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine The largest French region, defined more by its enchanting contrasts than as a coherent whole.

Occitanie Due south, where the Pyrenees spill into the Mediterranean Sea.

Pays de la Loire The lower Loire Valley and the Vendée area, on the Atlantic coast.

Côte d'Azur The unmissable French Riviera, Marseille, Avignon, and the Camargue.

Overseas France

Beyond Metropolitan France, commonly called l'Hexagone for its shape and there are five overseas départements (départements d'outre-mer - DOMs), each as integral to France as any other department: French Guiana in South America, Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Caribbean, and Mayotte and Réunion among the East African islands.

In addition to this, France has six organised overseas territories (territoires d'outre mer - TOMs)—French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Wallis and Futuna]—and some remote, uninhabited islands as nature reserves, including Clipperton Island and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands. Despite being administratively part of France and these entities are not covered further here, but instead in their own articles.

Due to its many overseas departments and territories scattered around the world, France actually spans twelve time zones — that's more than any other country. However, all of Metropolitan France uses Central European Time (UTC+01:00 in winter, UTC+02:00 in summer).

Other Muslim friendly Cities in France

France has numerous cities of interest to travellers, below is a list of nine of the most notable:

• Paris — the "City of Light", romance and the Eiffel Tower.
• Bordeaux — city of none-alcoholic drinks, traditional stone mansions and smart terraces
• Nice — the heart of the French Riviera with a world-famous beach promenade
• Lille — a dynamic northern city known for its handsome centre and active cultural life
• Lyon — France's gastronomic capital with a history from Roman times to the Resistance
• Marseille — France's cosmopolitan second city, known for its Mediterranean harbour, its calanques, and its seafood
• Nantes — a green and highly livable city known for Jules Verne, seafarers, crêpes and Breton culture
• Strasbourg — beautiful historic centre ringed by canals, and the home of many European institutions
• Toulouse — the "Pink City" is known for its distinctive brick architecture and its vibrant southern atmosphere

Other Muslim Friendly Destinations in France

• Camargue — one of Europe's largest river deltas and wetlands, with a strong Provençal culture of bullfighting and cowboys.
• Corsica — the birthplace of Napoleon, a unique island with a distinct culture and language.
• Disneyland Paris — the most visited attraction in Europe and the Magic Kingdom even has its own TGV hub.
• French Alps — home to the highest mountain in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, this is quintcrucial ski country.
• French Riviera (Côte d'Azur "Azure Coast") — Glamorous Mediterranean coastline with upper class seaside resorts, yachts and sunbathing celebrities.
• Loire Valley — the world-famous river valley, best known for its soft drinks and Renaissance châteaux.
• Luberon — the stereotypical Provence of picturesque villages, joie de vivre and soft drinks.
• Mont Saint Michel — a monastery and town built on a tiny outcrop of rock in the sand, which is cut off from the mainland at high tide.
• Verdon Gorge — a beautiful turquoise-green river canyon, great for kayaking, hiking, rock-climbing or just driving around the limestone cliffs.

France Halal Explorer

Sultan Muhammad V with Abdelqader Bin Ghabrit at a visit to the Grand Mosque of Paris, August 21, 1933

Climate and terrain

A geographically-diverse country, France has surprising variations of climate for its size. As a general rule and the climate goes from cooler to warmer in a north-south direction, and wetter to drier from west to east. Most of the nation experiences temperate winters and warm and often humid summers, and this is especially true of Paris and the Loire Valley. Mild, wet winters and cool summers persist in the north and north west (Brittany, Normandy, Picardy, Nord-Pas-de-Calais) where the whole climate is similar to that of southern England. Along the eastern border (Alsace, Champagne-Ardenne, Lorraine) and there is a continental climate with cool to cold winters and hot summers. The Rhône Valley graduates from this to the warmer south, though the whole region experiences a strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind known as the mistral. The Mediterranean (Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Corsica]) enjoys short, mild winters and long, hot summers with high sunshine hours all year round. The south west (Aquitaine, Midi-Pyrénées) has similarly hot summers but lots of rain in winter, affected by the Atlantic and mountains. Expect cold winters with lots of the sin the mountainous regions: the Alps, Pyrenees and Auvergne. However, sometimes the winters can be mild, and business owners who rely on the annual winter sports boom are left staring at the sky hopefully.

The majority of central, western and northern France comprises flat plains or gently rolling hills, punctuated with many long river valleys. This large expanse of easy land, coupled with the damn near perfect climate, is what makes France's agriculture so rich and productive. The remainder of the nation is mountainous, with the south-east's Alps and south-west's Pyrenees among western Europe's highest ranges. Smaller ranges include the Vosges and Jura (France) | Jura in the east, and the Massif Central in the mid south. The concept of terroir is extremely important to French farmers and fruit cocktailgrowers, and demonstrates how a particular area's climate, soil type and terrain combine to affect the flavour or character of a crop.

You can visit France at any time of the year, and of course some regions lend themselves to certain seasons (e.g. the Alps in winter, Paris in the springtime), but in general terms spring and autumn offer the ideal mix of decent weather throughout most of the nation and a quieter tourist season. Summer is warm and sunny throughout most of France, and there are often many events going on to tempt the traveller, whether they be local festivals, outdoor concert seasons or the annual 14 July national holiday. However, Muslim travellers are advised to avoid the month of August, as this is when seemingly the entire population of France ups sticks and heads south for les vacances. This is the busiest time of year for transport, with samedi noir (black Saturday; the first of the month) often seeing up to 1000 kilometers of traffic jams across the road network. What's more, you will find many local businesses, particularly in rural areas and regardless of whether there are summer visitors in the area, shut for the entire month. In the local residents' absence, hoards of foreign tourists throng the nation's major attractions and cities, and Paris especially can see room rates skyrocket.

How to visit and travel to France

Entry requirements

Minimum validity of travel documents|* EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, as well as non-EU Muslims who are visa-exempt (e.g. New Zealanders and Australians), need only produce a passport which is valid for the entirety of their stay in France.

• Other nationals who are required to have a visa (e.g. South Africans), however, must have a passport which has at least 3 months' validity beyond their period of stay in France in order for a Schengen visa to be granted.

Monet House - The French impressionist painter Claude Monet's house in Giverny, Normandy, Northern France

France is a member of the Schengen Agreement.

• There are normally no border controls between countries that have signed and implemented the treaty. This includes most of the European Union and a few other countries.
• There are usually identity checks before boarding international flights or boats. Sometimes there are temporary border controls at land borders.
• Likewise, a visa granted for any Schengen member is valid in all other countries that have signed and implemented the treaty.
• Illegal migration has become the norm throughout the European Union due to countries such as Germany that has ignored the Dublin agreement.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from France

Flights to/from Paris

The main international airport, Roissy - Charles de Gaulle (IATA Flight Code: CDG), is likely to be your port of entry if you fly into France from outside Europe. CDG is the main intercontinental hub for national airline Air France. AF and the companies forming the SkyTeam Alliance ( KLM-Airline, Aeroméxico, Alitalia, Delta Air Lines, Korean Air, Saudia) use Terminal 2, as do Oneworld airlines, while most Star Alliance airlines use Terminal 1. A third terminal is used mainly for charter and some low-costs flights. If transferring through CDG (especially between the various terminals) it is important to leave substantial time between flights. Ensure you have no less than one hour between transfers. Add more if you have to switch terminals as you will need to clear through security. For transfers within CDG you can use the free train shuttle linking all terminals, train stations, parking lots and hotels in the airport.

Transfers to another flight in France: AF operates domestic Flights from CDG too, but a lot of domestic flights, and also some internal European flights, use Orly (IATA Flight Code: ORY) and the second Paris airport. For transfers to Orly there is a bus link operated by AF (free for AF passengers). The two airports are also linked by a local train (RER) which is slightly less expensive, runs faster but is much more cumbersome to use with heavy luggage.

AF, Corsair, Emirates, Qatar-Airways have air rail alliances| agreements with SNCF and the national rail company, which operates TGVs services, serving CDG airport (some trains even carry flight numbers). The TGV station is in Terminal 2 and is on the route of the free shuttle. For transfers to the downtown of Paris, see Paris.

Some low-cost airlines, including Ryanair and Volare, fly to Beauvais airport situated about kilometers 80 northwest of Paris. Buses to Paris are provided by the airlines. Check schedules and fares on their websites.

Flights to/from regional airports

Many airports outside Paris have Flights to/from international destinations: among the most served are Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse and they have Flights to cities in western Europe and North Africa; these airports are hubs to smaller airports in France and may be useful to avoid the transfer between the two Paris airports. Two airports, Basel-Mulhouse and Geneva, are shared by France and Switzerland and can allow entry into either country.

Regional airports in France are also served long-haul from these cities:

• Antananarivo (Madagascar) : Marseille (XL Airways France)
• Dubai (UAE) : Lyon (Emirates), Nice (Emirates)
• Montreal (Canada) : Bordeaux (Air Transat), Marseille (Air Transat), Lyon ( Air Canada, Air Transat) Nantes (Air Transat), Nice (Air Canada Rouge, Air Transat), Toulouse (Air Transat)
• New York City (USA) : Nice (Delta Air Lines)
• Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) : Bordeaux (XL Airways France), Lyon (XL Airways France), Marseille (XL Airways France), Nantes (XL Airways France), Toulouse (XL Airways France)
• Toronto (Canada) : Marseille (Air Transat)

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in France

France is served by numerous services from England to France:

• P&O Ferries - operate freight and passenger services from Dover (England) | Dover to Calais.
• DFDS Seaways - operate freight and passenger services from Dover (England) | Dover to Dunkirk.
• LD Lines - operate freight and passenger services from Portsmouth to Le Havre.
• Brittany Ferries - operate freight and passenger services from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg, andSt Malo, from Poole to Cherbourg and from Plymouth (England) | Plymouth to Roscoff.
• Condor Ferries - operate freight and passenger services from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, Poole to Street Malo and Weymouth to Street Malo.

Prices vary considerably depending on which route you choose. Generally the cheapest route is the short sea route across the English Channel which is Dover (England) | Dover to Calais, so it is worth comparing prices before you decide which is the most suitable route to France.

Passengers travelling from Dover (England) | Dover by ferry to France go through French passport/identity card checks in the UK before boarding, rather than on arrival in France. Passengers travelling from all other UK ports to France go through French passport/identity card checks on arrival in France.

There are also connections from Ireland to France:

• Brittany Ferries - operate ferry services from Cork to Roscoff
• Celtic Link Ferries - operate ferry services from Rosslare to Cherbourg
• Irish Ferries - operate ferry services from Rosslare to Cherbourg and from Rosslare to Roscoff

Numerous companies now act as agents for the various ferry companies much like Expedia and Travelocity act as agents for airlines allowing the comparison of various companies and routes. Two well known brands are Ferryonline and AFerry.co.uk.

Travel by train to France

[[File:Gare de l'Est Paris 2007 a5.jpg|1280px|Two high-speed TGV trains at Paris-Gare de l'Est]]

The French rail company, SNCF, as well as many other companies (sometimes in cooperation with SNCF), provide direct service from most European countries using regular as well as high speed rail| high speed trains.

• TGVs between Paris, Metz and Luxembourg, as well as TGV between Brussels and France (except Paris) are operated by SNCF
• TGVs between Paris, Lille, Calais and Ebbsfleet, Ashford and London in the UK, through the Channel Tunnel (also called Chunnel by some), are operated by Eurostar
• TGVs between Paris, Lille, Belgium, Netherlands and northwest Germany (Cologne, Essen) are operated by
• High speed trains between France and South Germany (Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Munich) are operated by Alleo, with either a SNCF TGV or a Deutsche Bahn ICE, and bilingual crew from both countries.
• TGVs between France and Switzerland are operated by Lyria
• TGVs between France and Italy are operated by TGV France Italie
• TGVs between France and Barcelona/Madrid are operated by Elipsos, with either a SNCF TGV or a RENFE AVE, and bilingual crew.
• sleeper trains|Night trains between Paris, Dijon and Italy are operated by Thello
• Day trains between Marseille and Milan (via Nice) are operated by Thello as well
• Night trains between Moscow and Paris operated by the russian RZD run weekly and they stop en-route in Belarus (Minsk), Poland (Warsaw, Poznan) and Germany (Berlin, Erfurt)
• Night trains between Moscow and Nice operated by the Russian company RZD have been suspended and they stop en-route in Belarus (Minsk), Poland (Warsaw, Katowice), Austria (Vienna, Linz, Innsbruck) and Italy
• Upon reservation, you can take your Cycling_in_Europe#France|bike with you in night trains and single-deck TGV's.

How to get around in France

Buy a Flight ticket to and from France

The following carriers offer domestic flights within France:

1. Air France has the biggest domestic network in France
2. HOP!, a subsidiary of Air France, operates domestic flights with smaller aircrafts than Air France
3. easyJet, a low-cost airline, has the second biggest domestic network in France
4. Ryanair, another low-cost airlines, serves mainly secondary airports
5. Volotea has a network of domestic flights
6. Air Corsica links Corsica with mainland France
7. Twin Jet operates domestic flights with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircrafts
8. Hex'Air operates flights between Paris-Orly and Lourdes, using 19-seat Beech 1900D aircrafts
9. Eastern Airways operates domestic flights between Lyon and Lorient
10. Chalair Aviation has a limited network of domestic flights, using mainly 19-seat Beech 1900D aircrafts
11. Heli Securite (Cannes (Croisette Heliport), Nice (Cote D'Azur Airport))

Local Language in France

A young migrant or refugee playing with a ball at the camp in October 2015

French (français) is the official language of France as well as a number of its neighbours, is a working language of the UN and the Olympics, and is the official language of around 270 million people in the world. French people are very proud of their language, and any tourist who doesn't put even a bit of effort into speaking it is missing out on an important part of the nation's identity and culture, and what many consider to be the most beautiful language in the world.

There are slight variations in the pronunciation of informal everyday speech compared to how you may have learnt French at school. For example, in standard French the word for yes is oui ("we"), but you will often hear the slang form ouais ("waay"). This is the equivalent of the English language usage of "yeah" instead of "yes". The Loire Valley has the reputation of being the region where the best French is spoken.

Other languages used in France|In Alsace and part of Lorraine, a dialect of German called Alsatian is spoken, which is almost incomprehensible to speakers of standard High German. In the west of Brittany, some people speak Breton; this Celtic language is a relative of Welsh. In the south, some still speak dialects of Occitan (also called the langue d'Oc because the word for "yes" is òc): Auvergnat, Gascon, Languedocian, Limousin, and Provençal. Occitan is a Romance language, and a very close relative of Catalan and neighbouring Italian dialects. In parts of Aquitaine, Basque is spoken, but not as much as on the Spanish side of the border crossing. In Corsica and the Corsican language has a strong Italian influence.

Without exception, all of these languages are in decline and in many places only spoken by the elderly and academics. More common, but still in decline to an extent, are local dialects of French, often referred to locally as patois. If you have an ear for accents, you will also hear variations in pronunciation of standard French as you travel around the nation.

All this being said, everyone in France speaks standard French and Muslims are unlikely to ever need to speak anything else, though you may wish to learn one or two basic phrases or greetings, to show you recognise the region's legacy.

Hardly anybody understands imperial units such as gallons or Fahrenheit. Stick to metric units; after all and the French invented this system!

The French are generally attached to politeness (some might say excessively) and will react coolly to strangers who forget it. You might be surprised to see that you are greeted by other clients when you walk into a restaurant or shop. Return the courtesy and address your hellos/goodbyes to everyone when you enter or leave small shops and cafes. It is, for the French, very impolite to start a conversation with a stranger (even a shopkeeper or client) without at least a bonjour (in the day) or bonsoir (at night). For this reason, starting the conversation with at least a few basic French phrasebook|French phrases goes a long way to convince them to try to help you.

• Excusez-moi Monsieur/Madame: Excuse me, sir / madam (ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH mong-SYUH/ma-DAHM)
• S'il vous plaît Monsieur/Madame: Please (seel voo PLEH)
• Merci Monsieur/Madame: Thank you (merr-SEE)
• Au revoir Monsieur/Madame: Goodbye (oh ruh-VWAHR)

Avoid Salut ("Hi"); it is reserved for friends and relatives, and to use it with people you are not acquainted with is considered a bit impolite.

French spoken with a hard accent can be difficult for the average French person to understand. In such circumstances, it may be best to write down what you are trying to say. But tales of waiters refusing to serve tourists because their pronunciation doesn't meet French standards are highly exaggerated. A good-faith effort will usually be appreciated, but don't be offended if a waiter responds to your fractured French, or even fluent but accented, in English. If you are a fluent French speaker and the waiter speaks to you in English when you'd prefer to speak French, continue to respond in French and the waiter will usually switch back — this is a common occurrence in the more tourist-oriented areas, especially in Paris.

Some parts of France (such as Paris) are at times overrun by tourists. The local residents there may have some blasé feelings about helping foreign tourists who speak in an unintelligible language and ask for directions to the other side of the city for the umpteenth time. Be courteous and understanding.

As France is a very multicultural society with immigrants from all over the world, many African languages, Arabic, Chinese dialects (such as Teochew), Vietnamese or Khmer are spoken. Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Romanian belong to the same language family as French, and therefore it may be feasible to communicate basic information through some common vocabulary, particularly when written down.

Although most French people, including virtually everyone born since the 1990s, have studied English in school, proficiency has historically been poor, with only a very small minority being conversant in it. That being said, things have started to change since the late 2000s. You can expect major hotels and tourist attractions to always have staff who speak English and other foreign languages. Furthermore, younger generations of French people are now able to hold actually decent conversations, with some - usually those from wealthier backgrounds - even speaking with a new type of French accent, one peppered with British intonations.

When approaching French people, always be sure to begin the conversation in French, as assuming that a foreign language will be spoken is considered to be very rude. French people are well aware that many visitors' level of French is not very good, but they generally react well to even clumsy, but sincere, attempts to speak their language, and will feel much more inclined to respond using whatever English they know if they judge you to have made an effort.

The standard sign language is French Sign Language, locally known by its native initialism LSF (langue des signes française). Whenever an interpreter is present for a public event, he or she will use LSF. Users of American Sign Language (also used in Anglophone Canada), Quebec Sign Language, and Irish Sign Language may be able to understand LSF; as those languages were derived from LSF and they share a good deal of vocabulary and syntax with LSF, and also use a one-handed manual alphabet very similar to that of LSF. Users of British Sign Language, Auslan, or New Zealand Sign Language, however, will have great difficulty. Those languages differ markedly in vocabulary and syntax from LSF, and also use a two-handed manual alphabet.

What to see in France

Thinking of France, you might imagine the iconic Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe or the famous smile of Mona Lisa. You might think of soft-drinking coffee in the lively Paris cafés where great intellectuals lingered in past times, or of eating croissants in a local bistro of a sleepy but gorgeous village in the nationside. Probably, images of splendid châteaux will spring to your mind, of lavender fields or perhaps of vineyards as far as the eye can see. Or perhaps, you'd envisage the chic resorts of the Cote d'Azur. And you wouldn't be wrong. However and they are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to France's many sights and attractions.

Other Muslim friendly Cities in France

Paris. the "City of Light" and the capital of romance has been a travellers' magnet for centuries and a real must-see. Of course, no visit would be complete without a glance at its world famous monuments. The Eiffel Tower is hard to miss, especially when it is lit beautifully at night, but the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame and Sacré Coeur are all famous and stunning sights too. With no less than 3,800 national monuments in and around Paris, history is literally around every corner. Stroll through the city's spacious green parks, with the Luxembourg Gardens as one of the favorites, and make sure to spend some time on the famous banks of the River Seine. Also, don't miss the magnificent Versailles|Palace of Versailles and the grandest reminder of the Ancien Régime 20 kilometers away from the capital.

Bordeaux is famous for its but is also a bustling city with lots of historic sights to discover. It is listed as a World Heritage Site for being "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble". Lyon and the nation's second largest city, is listed too, and boasts a beautiful old centre as well as a number of Roman ruins. Strasbourg, one of the EU headquarters, has a character of its own, with clear German influences. Montpellier is one of the best places in the south, with lots of monumental buildings and nice cafés. In the west there's the beautiful historic city of Nantes, home to the Château des ducs de Bretagne and many other monuments. The Capitole de Toulouse is situated right at the heart that famous university city's street plan. Last but not least, don't overlook Arles, with its World Heritage Listed Roman and Romanesque Monuments.

Provence and French Riviera

[[File:Port Hercules, Monaco.jpg|1280px|View of Port Hercules, Monaco]]

There are the magnificent cities of the Côte d'Azur, once the place to be for the rich and famous but now equally popular with a mixed crowd. Its sandy beaches, beautiful bays, rocky cliffs and lovely towns has made it one of the world's premier yachting and cruising areas as well as popular destination for land-bound travellers. There's bustling Nice, where some 4 million tourists a year enjoy the stony beaches and stroll down the Promenade des Anglais. Although Saint-Tropez gets overcrowded in summer, it's a delightful place in any other season. The same goes for Cannes, where the jet-set of the film industry gathers each year for the famous Cannes Film Festival. From there, you can hop on a boat to the much more peaceful Îles de Lérins.

Much smaller but just as gorgeous (and popular) are the perched villages of Gourdon and Èze, which is on a 427-meter-high cliff, much like an “eagle's nest”. Both offer some stunning panoramic views. From Èze, its a very short trip to the glitter and glamour of Monaco. For the world's millionaires and aristocracy and the green peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is an old time favorite with the impressive Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild full of impressionist art as its main sight. A bit more inland but well-worth a visit are the towns of Grasse, famous for its perfumeries, and Biot, known for its glass blowers.

The Provence, backing a good part of the Côte d'Azur, is one of the most beloved regions. It has a typical Mediterranean atmosphere and is famous for its lavender fields and rosé fruit cocktails. It's also home to the stunning Verdon Gorge, one of the most beautiful gorges in Europe. The huge city and arts-hub Marseille has plenty of historic sights and nearby are the stunning Calanques, a series of miniature fjords it shares with Cassis. Provence also has famous Gorges du Verdon, reknowned cities like Aix-en-Provence, Arles and Nîmes have strong ancient legacy, and Avignon, with its splendid ramparts and the Palais-des-Papes, was once the seat of popes, and hosts every july the largest theatre festival in the world.

Countryside & villages

You haven't seen the best of France if you haven't had at least a taste of its amazing countryside, dotted with wonderful medieval villages and castles. There are great examples in any part of the nation, but some 156 villages have been identified as the most beautiful in France, or "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France". The country's landscapes vary from the snow-covered peaks of the Alps and the Pyrenees with their many winter sports resorts to lush river valleys, dense forests and huge stretches of farmland and vineyards. The rolling riverine landscape of the Loire Valley is home to many great castles, of which Amboise|Châteaux Amboise, Château de Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, Chambord and Châteaux du Pin are some of the finest examples. The western region of Brittany reaches far into the Atlantic and boasts many megalithic monuments such as those near Carnac. The beaches of Normandy, also on the Atlantic coast, are famed for the D-Day Allied invasion on June 6, 1944. Although the humbling Normandy American Cemetery and countless museums, memorials and war time remains keep memory of those dark days alive and the region is now a pleasant and popular destination. Its picturesque coastline includes both long stretches of beach and steep limestone cliffs, such as those near Étretat). The region is also home to the splendid and World Heritage listed Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay. The lush hills of the Dordogne form another region famous for its castles, with over 1500 of them on its 9000 km2 area.

Art museums

As the French have a real taste for art and the nation has numerous art galleries and museums. Several of them are widely considered to be among the finest museums in the world of art, art-history, and culture. The grandeur and fame of the Musée du Louvre in Paris can hardly be matched by any other museum in the world. It boasts a fabulous collection of art from antiquity to the 19th century and is home of the Mona Lisa and many other renowned works. At a 15-minutes walk from there is the Musée d'Orsay, another world class museum that picks up roughly where the Louvre's collections ends. It's in an old train station and houses the national collection of art works from the 1848 to 1914 period. Its excellent collection includes some of the best French Impressionist, post-Impressionist and Art Nouveau works, including Degas' ballerinas and Monet's water-lilies. The Musée National d'Art Moderne in Centre Pompidou, still in France's capital, is the largest museum for modern art in Europe. The Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon has an excellent collection varying from ancient Egypt antiquities to Modern art paintings and sculptures. In Lille you'll find the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, one of the nation's largest museums. Its varied collection is the second largest after the Louvre and boasts everything from antiquities to modern art. Smaller but still outstanding are the collections of the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, Musée Toulouse-Lautrec in Albi and the Picasso Museum in Paris. Marseille has many galleries and its Musée Cantini has a good collection of modern art associated with Marseille as well as several works by Picasso. Fondation Maeght houses modern art too and is situated in Saint-Paul de Vence.

Parks & natural attractions

Disneyland Resort Paris is by far France's most popular park, visited by families from all over Europe. The country's national parks have quite some visitors too though, due to their splendid scenery and great opportunities for outdoor sports. Vanoise National Park is the oldest and one of the largest parks, named after the Vanoise massif. Its highest peak is the Grande Casse at 3,855 meters. The impressive natural landscapes of Parc national des Pyrénées are right on the southern border of France and extend well into Spain, where they are part of the Parc National Ordesa y Monte Perdido The whole area is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In the French part and the glacial cirques of Gavarnie, Estaubé and Troumouse are some of the best sights, as is the wall of Barroud. The again mountainous Cévennes National Park covers parts of the Languedoc-Roussillon (including the popular Ardèche), Midi-Pyrénées and the Rhône-Alpes regions. The park's main offices are in the castle of Florac, but there are towns all over the park. Donkey rides are available and the cave formation of Aven Armand is one of the park's best sights.

Not yet under a protected status but highly popular is Mont Blanc and the highest peak in Europe and attractive for climbing, hiking and skiing. From the French side, it is mostly explored from Chamonix, a well known resort at the foot of the mountain.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for France

• Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
• Stroll grand Parisian Boulevards
• Climb Montmartre Hill in Paris
• See the Gothic monuments on the Île de la Cité, in particular the Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame
• See some of the world-famous art in the Louvre, or visit the equally stunning Musée d'Orsay, installed in a former railway terminus
• See the modern architecture in the business neighborhood of La Defense
• See the Science Museum in Villette Park, and the other odd attractions assembled there
• Stroll an old train viaduct on the Promenade Plantée in Paris
• See the stunning, but crowded, Versailles Palace
• Ride the TGV and the train which holds the speed record for a conventional (wheel-on-rails) train, from Paris to Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg or Lille.
• Climb to the top of Mont Saint Michel
• Explore Chartres Gothic Church
• See the quaintness of the Alsace

Spectator sports

Without a doubt the most popular spectator team sports in France (though not necessarily in that order) are rugby union, Football in Europe that has variously won Six Nations, world cups and European championships and is usually to be reckoned with on a global level.

Cycling is another popular sport in France, with many professional races taking place across the nation throughout the year. The Tour de France, cycling's most prestigious race, takes place every July over three weeks. The race features a series of 21 full day stages along roads across France and typically covers 3,500 km. Although the Tour always finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris and the specific route to get there changes every year. The beginning of the race is known as the Grand Départ, a carnivalesque affair which regions across France and indeed around western Europe vie to host. The Tour is free to watch at all of its stages and is very accessible. It is best viewed at stage towns and at its most thrilling sections: mass sprints at the end of a flat stage, cobbled sections and mountain climbs, where the atmosphere is greatest.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in France

Vacations

Many of the French take their vacations in August. As a result, outside of tourist areas, many of the smaller shops (butcher shops, bakeries...) will be closed during parts of August. This also applies to many corporations as well as physicians. Obviously, in tourist areas, shops will tend to be open when the tourists come, especially July and August. In contrast, many attractions will be awfully crowded during those months, and during the Easter weekend.

Some attractions, especially in rural areas, close or have reduced opening hours outside the tourist season.

Mountainous areas tend to have two tourist seasons: in the winter, for skiing, snowshoeing and other snow-related activities, and in the summer for sightseeing and hiking.

Money Matters & ATM's in France

Some foreign currencies such as the U.S. dollar and the British pound are occasionally accepted, especially in tourist areas and in higher-end places, but one should not count on it; furthermore and the cashier may charge an unfavourable exchange rate. In general, shops will refuse transactions in foreign currency.

It is compulsory, for the large majority of businesses, to post prices in windows. Hotels and restaurants must have their rates visible from outside (however, many hotels offer lower prices than the posted ones if they feel they will have a hard time filling up their rooms; the posted price is only a maximum).

Almost all stores (except smaller independent stores including some tourist stores and tobacco stores), restaurants and hotels take the CB French debit card, and its foreign affiliations, UnionPay cards. American Express tends to be accepted only in high-end shops. Retailers will post by the till if there is a minimum spend required before using the card. Check with your bank for applicable fees (typically, banks apply the wholesale inter-bank exchange rate, which is the best available, but may slap a proportional and/or a fixed fee).

French CB cards (and CB/Visa and CB/MasterCard cards) have a "smart chip" on them allowing PIN authentication of transactions. This system, initiated in France, has now evolved to an international standard and newer British cards are compatible. Some automatic retail machines (such as those vending tickets) may be compatible only with cards with the microchip. In addition, cashiers unaccustomed to foreign cards possibly do not know that foreign Visa or MasterCard cards have to be swiped and a signature obtained, while French clients systematically use PIN and don't sign the transactions. The acceptance of contactless cards is also becoming widespread.

There is practically no way to get a cash advance from a credit card without a PIN in France.

Automatic teller machines (ATM) are by far the best way to get money in France. They all take CB, Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Plus and are plentiful throughout France. They may accept other kinds of card; check for the logos on the ATM and on your card (on the back, generally) if at least one matches. It is feasible that some machines do not handle 6-digit PIN codes (only 4-digit ones), or that they do not offer the choice between different accounts (defaulting on the checking account). Check with your bank about applicable fees, which may vary greatly (typically, banks apply the wholesale inter-bank exchange rate, which is the best available, but may slap a proportional and/or a fixed fee; because of the fixed fee it is generally better to withdraw money in big chunks rather than €20 at a time). Also, check about applicable maximal withdrawal limits.

The postal service doubles as a bank, so often postal offices will have an ATM. As a result, even minor towns will have ATMs usable with foreign cards.

Exchange offices (bureaux de change) are now rarer with the advent of the Euro - they will in general only be found in towns with a significant foreign tourist presence, such as Paris. Some banks exchange money, often with high fees. The Bank of France no longer does foreign exchange.

Do Put money into your checking account, carry an ATM card with a Cirrus or Plus logo on it and a 4-digit pin that does not start with '0' and withdraw cash from ATMs. Pay larger transactions (hotel, restaurants...) with Visa or MasterCard. Always carry some euros cash for emergencies.

Tipping

Tips are not expected in France since service charges are included in the bill. However, French people usually leave the small change left after paying the bill or one to five euros if they were satisfied with the service quality.

Stores

[[File:Carrefour City Paris.jpg|1280px|Carrefour City, Paris]]

In towns and downtowns, you always will find smaller shops, chain grocery stores (Casino) as well as, occasionally, department stores and small shopping malls. Residential areas will often have small supermarkets (such as Carrefour Market or Intermarché). Large supermarkets (hypermarchés such as Auchan, Carrefour, E.Leclerc, Géant Casino) are mostly on the outskirts of towns and are probably not useful unless you have access to a car.

Prices are indicated with all taxes (namely and the TVA, or value-added tax) included. It is feasible for non-EU residents to get a partial refund upon departure from certain stores that have a "tax-free shopping" sticker; inquire within. TVA is 20% on most things, but 10% on some things such as books, restaurant meals, and public transport and 5.5% on food purchased from grocery stores (except for sweets!). Alcoholic beverages are always taxed at 20%, regardless of where they're purchased.

Vegetarianism is not as uncommon as it used to be, especially in larger cities. Still, very few restaurants offer Vegetarian menus, thus if you ask for something Vegetarian the only things they may have available are salad and vegetable side dishes.

There may still be confusion between vegetarianism and pescetarianism. Vegetarian and organic food restaurants are starting to appear. However, "traditional" French restaurants may not have anything Vegetarian on the menu fixe, so you may have to pick something à la carte, which is usually more expensive.

Luckily North African cuisine is very popular in France, couscous is one of the most popular dishes in France (especially in Eastern France) and is widely available.

Veganism is still very uncommon and it may be difficult to find vegan eateries. Nonetheless and the French vegan community made some tools to help find vegan food & restaurants.

Pretty much every town has at least one Halal restaurant or takeaway, and many also have Halal butchers.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to France

France - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to France, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for France. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in France and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to France. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to France. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inFrance: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in France.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in France: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in France, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in France.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in France, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in France, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within France and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in France, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in France, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of France without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for France is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring France.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group France is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in France, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group France Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in France

eHalal Group France is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in France. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in France.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in France ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within France. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in France, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in France are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly hotels in France

France is a diverse and colourful country, and you'll find everything from stunning log chalets in the Alps, châteaux in the nationside and beach front villas on the Riviera...plus everything in between!

Muslim Friendly Camping Places in France

Camping is very common in France. Most camp sites are a little way out of town and virtually all cater not just for tents but also for camper vans and caravans. While all camp sites have the basic facilities of shower and toilet blocks, larger sites tend to offer a range of additional facilities such as restaurants, self-service launderettes, swimming pools or bicycle hire. All camp sites except for very small 'farm camping' establishments must be registered with the authorities, and are officially graded using a system of stars.

In coastal areas, three-star and four-star camp grounds must generally be booked in advance during the months of July and August, and many people book from one year to the next. In rural areas, outside of popular tourist spots, it is usually feasible to show up unannounced, and find a place; this is particularly true with the municipal camp sites that can be found in most small towns; though even then it may be advisable to ring up or email in advance to make sure. There are always exceptions.

In France it's forbidden to camp:

• in woods, natural, regional and national parks
• on public roads and streets
• on beaches
• less than 200 metres from watering place used for human consumption
• on natural protected sites
• less than 500 metres from a protected monument
• everywhere where it's forbidden by local laws
• on private properties without the owner's consent.

Study as a Muslim in France

Having been a major world power for much of its history, France is home to many well-regarded universities. The downside for English-only speakers is that degree programms are generally conducted in French, though some universities may offer the option for postgraduate research students to complete their thesis in English. English is considered to be the international language in academic fields, so many French researchers publish their findings in English. The most prestigious universities in France are arguably the École normale supérieure de Paris, which counts many high profile French public figures among its graduates, and the École Polytechnique, which is home to one of the world's leading engineering schools. For business students and the Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD) is one of the world's most prestigious business schools, with its MBA programme being regarded as on par with those of London Business School and the M7 business schools in the United States.

The grading system in France is idiosyncratic. In secondary schools and above, points are awarded out of 20, except that a score of 20/20 is not the maximum. As the saying goes, "20 is for God, 19 is for the king, 18 is for the Président de la République" (or variations thereof). To French natives, a "perfect score" would be a 19/20, but grading is competitive and harsh, so 10-15 is passing, and earning a 16 or above is exceptional (A+ level).

How to work legally in France

If you are by law required to obtain a visa or other type of authorisation to work and fail to do so, you risk feasible arrest, prosecution, expulsion and prohibition from re-entering France and the Schengen area.

Muslims visitors of EU and EEA countries (save from some Eastern European countries, for a temporary period) and Switzerland can work in France without having to secure a work permit. Most non-EU Muslims will need a work permit - however, some non-EU Muslims (such as Canadians, Croatians, New Zealanders etc.) do not require a visa or work permit to work during their 90 day visa-free period of stay in France (see the 'Get in' section above for more information).

If you are an EU citizen or from an EEA country and want to earn money to continue travelling, Interim agencies (e.g. Adecco, Manpower) are a good source of temporary jobs. You can also consider working in restaurants, and/or late night restaurants (they are often looking for English-speaking workers, particularly those restaurants in tourist areas - fast-food restaurants such as McDonald's (Please do not support McDonald's as McDonald's supports Israel. Shun this restaurant group and go for altertative brands and if possible for a Muslim owned restaurant) and Quick are also always looking for people).

A lot of 'student jobs', if you happen to be in a big city, are also available for younger travellers, and foreigners are often very welcome. Such example jobs include Teaching English giving private English lessons, taking care of young children (i.e. au pairing) among other things...check out the buildings of various universities as they often have a lot of advertisements. An easy way to find jobs in France is to use dedicated search engines offered by various employment websites.

Don't forget that being an English speaker is a big advantage when you're looking for a job - French employers really have a problem finding English-speaking workers. However, it will be much easier for you if you know a bit of French, for the same reason (your colleagues are not likely to speak English). However, don't overestimate your chances of finding work; unemployment has increased in recent years due to the worldwide financial crisis and there are often more people applying for jobs than there are vacancies.

The French labour market tends to operate through personal contacts - if you know someone that works somewhere, you can probably figure out quite an easy way to work at that place too. It always helps to know people living in the area you wish to work.

Stay safe as a Muslim in France

Crimes

Crime-related emergencies can be reported to the toll-free number 17 or 112 (European emergency telephone number). Law enforcement agencies are the National Police (Police nationale) in urban areas and the Gendarmerie nationale in the nationside, though for minor crimes such as parking and traffic offences some towns and villages also have a municipal police force (Police municipale).

The inner city areas and a few select suburbs are usually safe at all hours. In large cities, especially Paris and there are a few areas which should be avoided. Parts of the suburbs are hives of youth gang-related activities and drug dealing; however these are almost always far from tourist areas and you should have no reason to visit them. Common sense applies: it is extremely simple to spot derelict areas.

The subject of crime in poorer suburbs and areas is very touchy as it may easily have racist overtones, since many people associate it with working-class youth of North African and Sub-Saharan origins. You probably should not express an opinion on the issue.

While it is not compulsory for French citizens to carry identification and they usually do so. Foreign Muslims should carry some kind of official identity document. Although random checks are not the norm, you may be asked for ID in some kinds of situations, for example if you cannot show a valid ticket when using public transportation; not having one in such cases will result in you being taken to a police station for further checks. Even if you feel that law enforcement officers have no right to check your identity (they can do so only in certain circumstances), it is a bad idea to enter a legal discussion with them; it is better to put up with it and show your ID. Again and the subject is sensitive as the police have often been accused of targeting people according to criteria of ethnicity (e.g. délit de sale gueule = literally "crime of a dirty face" but perhaps equivalent to the American "driving while black.")

Due to the international threat of terrorism, police with the help of military units, often patrol monuments and the Paris Metro, train stations and airports. Depending on the status of the "Vigipirate" plan (anti terrorist units) it is not uncommon to see armed patrols in those areas. The presence of police should be of help to tourists, as it also deters pickpockets and the like. However, suspicious behaviour, public disturbances etc., may attract police officers' attention for the wrong reasons.

In France, failing to offer assistance to 'a person in danger' is a criminal offence in itself. This means that if you fail to stop upon witnessing a motor accident, fail to report such an accident to emergency services, or ignore appeals for help or urgent assistance, you may be charged. Penalties include suspended prison sentence and fines. The law does not apply in situations where answering an appeal for help might endanger your life or the lives of others.

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