On the night of August 14 to 15, 2025, a Muslim prayer hall in Châtillon-sur-Seine, Côte d'Or, was targeted in an arson attempt involving flyers set on fire at its entrance, but the fire was quickly contained by passersby, causing only minor damage.

The previous evening, August 14, the same prayer hall was also targeted with a fire attempt involving prospectuses set ablaze at the entrance, though no major damage was reported.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the attack as a 'great act of cowardice' and an anti-Muslim act, expressing solidarity with the victims.

Retailleau described the incident as a cowardly act and emphasized it as part of a concerning rise in anti-Muslim violence in France.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the vandalism, treating it as an anti-Muslim attack, though the perpetrator(s) remain unidentified.

The incident is part of a broader increase in Islamophobic acts in France, which have surged by over 70% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, with 145 acts recorded including attacks on individuals.

The prayer hall belongs to an association, and the religious leader has filed a formal complaint; no suspects have been identified yet.

The arson involved setting fire to leaflets at the entrance, causing minor damage without injuries, and the fire was quickly controlled.

This incident highlights a troubling rise in religious discrimination and violence against Muslims in France, with ongoing investigations into the recent arson attempt.

The attack occurred between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., with perpetrators still at large, and investigations into the damages are ongoing.

The fire was contained swiftly, preventing significant damage, with only traces left on the door.