French authorities have opened an investigation after pig heads were discovered outside several mosques in Paris on Tuesday, an act that officials and community leaders denounced as a direct insult to Muslims.
With over 6 million Muslims, France has Europe’s largest Islamic community, for whom pigs are considered impure.
The Paris prosecutor’s office reported that pig heads were left outside at least two mosques in the capital and one just beyond the city limits.
A separate incident saw a pig head hidden inside a suitcase outside a mosque in northern Paris.
Authorities also revealed that the word “Macron” was written in blue near one of the sites, a possible reference to President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently facing political and financial pressures.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez confirmed that an inquiry was launched immediately.
He said law enforcement was determined to find those behind what he described as despicable acts.
Investigators are treating the case as suspected incitement to hatred aggravated by discrimination, and a specialist police unit has been assigned.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau strongly condemned the incidents, insisting that French Muslims must be able to practice their religion in peace.
He acknowledged the pain caused within the community and pledged continued efforts to safeguard freedom of worship across the country.
The timing of the acts has further unsettled community leaders, coming amid wider political tensions in France and ongoing debates around secularism and religious expression.
Muslim organizations have urged authorities to step up security around mosques, warning that such provocations risk inflaming divisions.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility, and no arrests have been made. Investigators are reviewing security footage from the affected areas and collecting forensic evidence from the scenes.
The case has reignited debate about Islamophobia in France, where incidents of religious hatred have periodically drawn national attention.
For now, community leaders are calling for calm, while urging the government to take stronger measures to ensure places of worship are protected against further intimidation.