Hinduism in France

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 [http://www.adherents.com/adhloc/Wh_104.html] .

It is the third largest in Europe, after those of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism_by_country]

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)

ee also

*Hinduism by country
*Demographics of France