JoomlaDay France 2025 in Metz highlights community resilience and innovation
On 17 and 18 October 2025, the French-speaking Joomla community convened in Metz for JoomlaDay France, an event dedicated to sharing, learning, and networking within the Joomla ecosystem. Organised by the Association Francophone des Utilisateurs de Joomla! (AFUJ) at the Techno'Pôles CESCOM centre, this edition marked the third consecutive year the event was held in Metz, underscoring the city’s favourable infrastructure and accessibility. With its well-connected transport links by train, plane, and motorway, along with nearby accommodation and a welcoming atmosphere, Metz provided an ideal setting not only for professional exchange but also for cultural exploration through its numerous museums and historic sites.
The efficient organisation of JoomlaDay France 2025 was notable. Cyrille Poussin, president of AFUJ, managed much of the complex coordination, including the website setup, registration processes, conference scheduling, and event promotion. The logistical details extended to the provision of organic meals sourced locally, enhancing the community-focused ethos of the gathering. On the technical front, Yannick Gauthier played a crucial role, overseeing the setup of audiovisual equipment necessary for live-streaming all conferences and recording sessions, which broadened the event’s accessibility to paid remote attendees and allowed for future rebroadcasting.
The conference programme catered to a broad range of Joomla users, from beginners to experts, reflecting AFUJ’s commitment to inclusivity and skill development. Presentations covered a diverse array of topics, including AI-driven Joomla development, web design lifecycle, mastering Joomla 6, Docker server implementation for local environments, and web accessibility principles beyond mere technical compliance. Sessions by notable community figures featured advanced tutorials on YOOtheme Pro, Joomla’s command line interface, and leveraging the Joomla API without coding, illustrating the platform’s ongoing evolution and adaptability.
The event also honoured the collaborative spirit of Joomla’s ecosystem. PlanetHoster, the main sponsor, demonstrated its dedication by sending its Director General, Mina Shenouda, from Canada to personally support the event, reaffirming the company’s commitment to open-source innovation. JoomShaper contributed by updating all components and templates for Joomla 6 during the event, showcasing an active commitment to maintaining compatibility and technical excellence within the community.
Despite attendance levels not reaching pre-pandemic heights, the convivial atmosphere fostered vibrant exchanges and constructive discussions on the future of Joomla in France. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for more frequent virtual sessions showcasing developers and extensions, suggesting an expansion of AFUJ’s community engagement between major physical gatherings. This focus on continuous interaction aligns with AFUJ’s broader mission to promote Joomla and support its French-speaking users through events and resource sharing, as well as collaborative efforts linking Joomla with other open-source CMS communities.
JoomlaDay France 2025 reaffirmed the strength and vitality of the Joomla community in the Francophone world. With Metz as a consistent and convenient venue, supported by passionate organisers and sponsors alike, the event exemplifies how association-led gatherings can successfully nurture professional growth, technical innovation, and a sense of belonging among users. Looking ahead, the community anticipates further opportunities for collective learning and collaboration, both in-person and online, sustaining Joomla’s relevance and dynamism in the evolving digital landscape.