The Hindu community in France consists of some long-time residents and many recent immigrants. Although Hinduism does not constitute a large proportion of the population it appears to be growing rapidly; the current Hindu population of France is 121,312, 0.2% of the nation's population, up from an estimated 50,000 in 1993

It is the third largest in Europe, after those of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Notable French Hindus

• Vikash Dhorasoo, a member of the French Football World Cup squad in 2006. He is an ethnic Mauritian East Indian from the town of Le Havre.
• Alain Danielou, a French historian, intellectual, musicologist, Indologist and noted Western convert to Shaivite Hinduism.

French people who were Hindus or were influenced by Hinduism include Victor Cousin, Alexandra David-Néel, Paul Gaugin, René Guénon, Jules Michelet, Mirra Richard, Romain Rolland, Satprem, Paul Verlaine, and Voltaire.

Hinduism in French overseas territories

• Hinduism in Guadeloupe
• Hinduism in Martinique
• Hinduism in French Guiana
• Hinduism in Reunion

References

• "How Hinduism Fares in Europe " in Hinduism Today International (Aug., 1993, Vol. 15, No. 8)

See also

• Hinduism by country
• Demographics of France