Islamic Invasion of Gaul (Saracen Jihad)

The ‘’’Islamic Invasion of Gaul’’’ refers to a series of military offenses into the region of Gaul, launched by Islamic forces in Hispania during the eighth century. During the invasion Muslim forces conquered the last remnants of the Visigothic Kingdom in Septimania, which had been all but eliminated during the first phase of the Umayyad Conquest of Hispania, before being stopped at the Toulouse in 721.

Despite their defeat at Toulouse, Muslims forces would often raid southern Gaul, targeting such cities as Avignon, Lyon, and Autun. This culminated in the 732 Battle of Tours, in which Muslim forces under the command of Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi decisively defeated Charles of the Franks, going on to loot the city of Tours and plunder the Basilica of Saint-Martin-de-Tours.