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Doha

Qatar

Doha offers rare expat comfort: a safe city, short commutes, two large French lycées and a francophone community that is close-knit precisely because it is human-sized. The scorching summer needs planning, the rest of the year is a treat.

Currency
Qatari riyal (QR)
Languages
Arabic (English covers daily life)
Time vs Paris
1 to 2h ahead
Emergencies
999

FIAFE network

The Accueil for French-speaking families

In each city, a volunteer-run association from the FIAFE network welcomes, informs and helps French-speaking families settling in.

Doha Accueil

Since 2012

Since 2012, Doha Accueil has gathered nearly 200 members around a very friendly weekly drop-in, monthly breakfasts (sometimes with the French Ambassador!) and discovery workshops.

Where to meet them

Sunday mornings (7:30-9:30am) at La Parisienne, the bakery of the Intercontinental City hotel in West Bay.

Email the association See the FIAFE page

What they offer

  • Sunday morning drop-in at La Parisienne (West Bay)
  • Monthly members breakfast
  • Discovery workshops for kids and grown-ups
  • A support network of about 200 members

The French business network

The local French chamber of commerce (CCI France International network) is a real asset for work: networking, job offers and help to restart a career or start a business locally.

CCI France International

CCI France Qatar

The hub for French and French-speaking companies in Doha: Job Booster workshops to find work, networking events and practical help to settle in and launch a partner's career in Qatar.

Visit the website CCI country page

The online community

The Facebook groups to join

Before you even land in Doha, Facebook groups are the best shortcut: ask your questions, find a flat, a nanny, a second-hand stroller, and often your first friends.

💬 Explore the full group directory

Compiled from Facebook's public search, links checked in July 2026. Group sizes change all the time.

AEFE network

Accredited French schools

Schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education follow the French curriculum: your child can continue their schooling seamlessly, abroad and back in France.

💰 Compare school fees

Source: official AEFE directory, verified June 2026. aefe.gouv.fr

Tutoring and private lessons

To support your children's schooling across two systems, two solutions designed for expat families.

  • Axiom Academic

    Private lessons and tutoring for expat families: French curriculum, IB and British curriculum, at home or online, with teachers who know the schools in your city.

    Discover Axiom Academic

  • IB Tutor

    Tutors specialised in the International Baccalaureate: online lessons in every IB subject, to aim for top grades from MYP to the diploma.

    Discover IB Tutor

Schools and education

Over 3,600 pupils in the French network: the Lycée Bonaparte (AEFE-affiliated) in West Bay and the Franco-Qatari Lycée Voltaire, spread over three campuses. A rare offering for a city this size.

Good to know

  • Bonaparte (AEFE agreement) is the historic school, right in West Bay.
  • Voltaire spreads its pupils over Al Waab, Salwa and West Bay: check the campus when applying.
  • Plan a year ahead for key entry years: both lycées are often full.
  • The school weekend is Friday-Saturday in Qatar: timetables follow.

Children's healthcare

Health insurance is mandatory for foreign residents, and care is top-level, anchored by Hamad Medical and Sidra, the women and children hospital.

Good to know

  • Check the family coverage of the sponsoring employer's policy before signing.
  • Sidra Medicine is a regional reference for paediatrics and maternity.
  • The Hamad health card opens the public system at reduced rates.
  • 999 is the single emergency number; in summer everything moves indoors.

French-speaking community

That is Doha's strength: a French community small enough that everyone crosses paths, organised enough that no one feels alone. Doha Accueil is its rallying point.

Good to know

  • Doha Accueil (FIAFE network) holds its drop-in every Sunday morning.
  • Family neighbourhoods: West Bay and the Al Waab and Al Gharrafa compounds.
  • The Institut français du Qatar offers classes and cultural events.
  • Facebook groups of French residents in Doha respond fast on practical tips.

Family outings and events

From October to April, Doha is a family playground: Corniche, parks, souq and spectacular museums. The Museum of Islamic Art and its park make the perfect Sunday.

Good to know

  • MIA Park, behind the Museum of Islamic Art, is the family sunset spot.
  • Souq Waqif and its falconers fascinate children; Katara lines up beaches and an amphitheatre.
  • Aspire Park and its lakes offer one of the Gulf's rare large green spaces.
  • The National Museum of Qatar (the "desert rose") has dedicated children trails.

These landmarks change fast: the MumExpat community will keep them up to date.

The arrival reflex

The apps to download when you land

Drop your bags, download these and you're set: the apps everyone in Doha uses to get around, get things delivered and organise daily life.

Getting around

  • Qatar Rail

    The official app for the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram: journey planner, timetables and the Metrolink shuttles that take you to your nearest station.

    App Store Google Play

  • Karwa

    The app for the official turquoise taxis: handy at the airport and for everyday trips, with regulated metered fares.

    App Store Google Play

  • Uber

    Uber works very well in Doha and is often cheaper than in Europe; it is many expats' go-to until they get a car.

    App Store Google Play

  • Careem

    The Middle East's ride-hailing champion, long established in Doha; regulars compare its prices with Uber before booking.

    App Store Google Play

Food delivery

  • Talabat

    The Gulf's food-delivery giant: a huge choice of restaurants, frequent deals, plus groceries through talabat mart.

    App Store Google Play

  • Snoonu

    The local champion: this homegrown Qatari app delivers restaurants, groceries, pharmacies and even retail shops, often in under an hour.

    App Store Google Play

  • Rafeeq

    The other fully local delivery app: good prices, neighbourhood restaurants and small errands; regulars compare it with Talabat and Snoonu.

    App Store Google Play

Groceries

  • Carrefour

    Qatar's Carrefour hypermarkets in your pocket: online groceries delivered to your door and the MyCLUB loyalty programme, with plenty of French products.

    App Store Google Play

  • LuLu Hypermarket

    Doha's other big hypermarket chain, strong on fresh food and international aisles; order online or find your nearest store.

    App Store Google Play

  • Al Meera

    Qatar's big homegrown supermarket chain, in almost every neighbourhood: order your groceries online, with the Wafa loyalty programme and plenty of everyday staples.

    App Store Google Play

Everyday life

  • Metrash

    The Ministry of Interior app, essential for residents: visas, residence permits, traffic fines and official paperwork are all handled straight from your phone.

    App Store Google Play

  • Nar'aakom

    The public health centres (PHCC) app: appointments, prescriptions and video consultations for the whole family, once you have your health card.

    App Store Google Play

  • The Entertainer

    The deals app Gulf expats swear by: two-for-one offers on Doha restaurants, brunches, spas and family activities.

    App Store Google Play

Coming soon: the full Doha guide.

Verified addresses, paediatricians recommended by mums, a family agenda updated every week. Join the waitlist to discover the Doha page first.

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