The photo shows Khmer New Year celebration at the Great Pagoda in Paris Photo by Djoudi Hamani / Hans Lucas.
PARIS – The Cambodian diaspora in France is preparing to celebrate Khmer New Year with traditional dances, music and cuisine.
France hosts the largest Cambodian community in Europe and one of the biggest worldwide. It is estimated at about 80,000 people, including 48,000 Cambodian-born residents. Fewer than 14,000 hold only Cambodian nationality, as many are French-Cambodians.
Boromey Khmer, the first media platform dedicated to Khmer culture in France, highlights the importance of the celebration. Veysna, a team member, said the New Year offers a valuable opportunity to reconnect with cultural roots.
“Khmer New Year serves as a true bridge for the community between France and Cambodia,” Veysna said.
The largest Khmer populations in France are in Paris, particularly in the 13th arrondissement, followed by the Bretagne region and other major cities.
Many remain deeply connected to their heritage, maintaining religious and cultural traditions at the community level. Younger generations are also increasingly interested in learning about their roots, making Khmer New Year a highly anticipated event.
“Many young people in the Cambodian diaspora say they want to learn more about their culture. Khmer New Year is the perfect opportunity, as it is accessible and showcases many aspects of Cambodian culture,” Veysna said.
The photo shows Khmer New Year celebration at the Great Pagoda in Paris Photo by Djoudi Hamani _ Hans Lucas
Great Pagoda of Paris to Host Major Celebrations
Each year, the Great Pagoda of Paris, in the Bois de Vincennes, hosts the largest Khmer New Year celebrations in France.
In 2025, festivities at the pagoda attracted between 5,000 and 10,000 participants over two weekends, representing a significant portion of the Cambodian community in the country. Organizers expect a similar turnout this year.
This year, the first day of celebrations will be Sunday, April 5, organized by the Association Bouddhique Khmere. As it coincides with Easter, the Khmer School of Paris suggests incorporating a chocolate egg hunt around the pagoda, blending cultural traditions.
A second weekend of celebrations is scheduled for April 11 and 12, organized by the Association Bouddhique Dhammaraingsei.
Buddhist rituals, blessings and offerings will be held to welcome the New Year, which falls under the zodiac sign of the horse. Visitors can expect food stalls, concerts and traditional dance and music performances inside and outside the pagoda grounds.
Boromey Khmer will host a stand at multiple events across the Ile-de-France region.
Celebrations Extend Beyond Paris
Another major celebration will take place in Lognes, a town in the Paris region known for having one of the largest Asian populations in France, including a significant Cambodian community.
Events are scheduled for April 4 and April 18, featuring traditional dance performances, craft demonstrations, music and food. On the morning of April 18, a commemoration will be held at the KH50 Memorial in honor of victims of the Khmer Rouge.
On the occasion of the Khmer New Year, the Sabay Festival is held at the Grande Pagode de Vincennes. Cultural activities, Buddhist ceremonies, traditional street food and meetings are on the program. Ph
Other local organizations are also contributing to the festivities, including the Association Khmere d’Ille-et-Vilaine near Rennes and Voix du Peuple Khmer in the Loire region.
In major cities such as Marseille, Paris, Rennes, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon, Buddhist pagodas and community groups will organize celebrations marking the beginning of the year 2670 in the Khmer calendar.
A Celebration of Identity and Community
For French-Cambodians, Khmer New Year remains a meaningful time for connection and cultural expression.
“Khmer New Year is important to the Cambodian diaspora because it allows them to reconnect with relatives they haven’t seen in a long time, as well as to come together around music, dance and traditional food,” Veysna said.
Despite the wide range of events, Khmer New Year remains relatively little known in France. Organizers and community members are eager to change that by inviting the broader public to discover Cambodian culture through these celebrations.