Inside the Salon de l’Alyah: Your Gateway to Starting Life in Israel

What Exactly Is the Salon de l’Alyah?

Run by the Jewish Agency for Israel in partnership with Israel’s Ministry of Aliyah & Integration and dozens of municipal and NGO partners, the Salon de l’Alyah is a pop-up expo that tours Paris, Marseille and Lyon twice a year—once in spring and once in autumn. Recent calendars illustrate the rhythm:

Spring 2025 edition: Paris – 30 March, Marseille – 31 March, Lyon – 1 April

Facebook

Autumn 2024 edition: Paris – 17 Nov., Marseille – 18 Nov., Lyon – 19 Nov.

FormAssembly

Typical May schedule (2024 example): Paris – 18 May, Marseille – 19 May, Lyon – 20 May

The Jewish Agency for Israel - U.S.

Equivalent English-language fairs exist in New York and London, but the French-speaking Salon remains Europe’s largest, drawing thousands—a record crowd packed the Paris hall last winter .

Why You Should Attend

One-Stop Shop for Answers

You’ll meet representatives from nearly every government office and NGO involved in Aliyah:

Fair Section What You’ll Learn

Employment & Diplomas Converting professional licences, CV reviews, high-tech recruitment

Housing & Shipping Buying vs. renting, tax-free import of household goods

Student Programs University admissions, Naale Elite Academy for teens

Social Benefits & Ulpan Healthcare enrolment, Hebrew courses, grants

Community Networking City reps from Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Be’er Sheva and more

Tailored Workshops & Mini-Consults

Register early and you can book 15-minute one-on-ones—perfect for getting your French nursing diploma recognised or understanding Oleh tax breaks.

A Dose of Inspiration

Hearing the success stories of recent Olim turns abstract bureaucracy into achievable milestones. “I talked to an HR manager from Haifa and landed a biotech interview before I even booked my flight,” recalls Léa Ben-Attar, who immigrated after the 2024 Paris fair (quoted with permission).

How to Register & Prepare

Sign up online—registration is mandatory and fills up fast. The Jewish Agency will email your entry QR code.

Gather documents: multiple copies of CVs, diplomas and any professional licences.

List specific questions so you can make the most of short consult slots.

Child care: many fairs have a kids’ corner; still, pack snacks and colouring books.

Tip: If French isn’t your best language, ask for the “English Desk.” Most booths will have at least one bilingual staffer.

A Day at the Fair: What to Expect

The Layout

Imagine a trade-show floor lined with booths draped in Israeli flags. Up front, giant banners read Agence Juive and Misrad HaKlita (Ministry of Integration). Side rooms host back-to-back lectures—every 45 minutes you can hop from “Finding a Job in Tel Aviv” to “School Registration in the Negev.”

Live Snapshot

You arrive at 10 a.m.; volunteers scan your QR code and hand you a lanyard. To the left, a queue has already formed for the Emploi & Stage counter, while a speaker from Nefesh B’Nefesh kicks off a packed talk on salary expectations.

“Grab every brochure, but scan the QR codes instead of lugging them around,” advises David Cohen, a digital-marketing professional who made Aliyah in 2023 and now volunteers at the Lyon booth.

Lunchtime Buzz

Food trucks outside serve falafel and—because this is France—fresh baguettes. It’s a networking goldmine: swap WhatsApp numbers with future neighbours and compare Ulpan programs.

Pro Tips to Maximise Your Visit

Arrive early. Lines snake around the block by noon.

Prioritise lectures that won’t be recorded—especially on niche topics such as medical licence conversion.

Bring a phone charger and reusable water bottle.

Use the fair’s job board—many Israeli companies post openings exclusively for attendees.

Follow up within 48 hours. Send every contact a quick thank-you and request a Zoom call.

After the Fair: From Idea to Plane Ticket

Create a personal Aliyah timeline (visa paperwork can take 3–6 months).

Book online appointments with your chosen Israeli municipality for school or daycare placement.

Begin Hebrew study immediately. Free apps are good; a local Ulpan is better.

Start shipping estimates—knowing container costs will shape your relocation budget.

Stay connected. Many attendees form WhatsApp groups for moral support and shared tips.

Need more guidance? Check out Vocal’s [Aliyah Explained: Your First 90 Days in Israel](/Aliyah-Explained-Your-First-90-Days-in-Israel) for a step-by-step survival kit (internal link).

Frequently Asked Questions

“Is the fair only for French citizens?”

No. Anyone who can navigate a French-speaking environment is welcome. Non-EU passports require extra paperwork—consult the Ministry of Interior booth.

“Do I have to commit on the spot?”

Absolutely not. The Salon’s mission is information first. However, many visitors leave with conditional job offers or Ulpan enrolments, which can speed up the formal Aliyah file.

“What if I miss the next edition?”

Join an online webinar through the Jewish Agency or Nefesh B’Nefesh. Better yet, subscribe to fair alerts so you never miss a date.

Final Thoughts & Call to Action

The Salon de l’Alyah compresses months of Googling into a single, high-energy day. Whether you’re 18 or 68, a student or a surgeon, you’ll walk out with real contacts, realistic timelines, and renewed confidence.

Ready to turn inspiration into action?

Register for the next Salon at the Jewish Agency’s official page (external).

Share this article with a friend who’s still on the fence.

Bookmark our deep-dive [Choosing the Right Ulpan](/Choosing-the-Right-Ulpan) for your language roadmap (internal).

*See you on the expo floor—*and perhaps soon, on the tarmac at Ben-Gurion Airport.