Visiting the Grand Mosque of Paris
When I first saw photographs of the Grand Mosque of Paris I wanted to visit because it was such a beautiful hidden gem but researching a bit more led me to the fascinating history of the mosque.
In the years before World War 1, many Algerian Muslims came to France to work but there was no mosque for them to worship in.
After so many Muslims were killed fighting for France in World War 1, the country allocated 500,000 Francs to build the Muslim Institute comprised of a mosque, a library, and a study room.
Despite a French law mandating the separation of Church and State, the mosque was built with government funds.
The Mosque during World War 2
During World War 2 the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of countless French Jews by hiding them from Nazi troops in the catacombs beneath Paris.
The rector of the Mosque, Abdelkader Ben Ghabrit, produced forged paperwork for hundreds of Jews stating that they were Muslim enabling them to flee from the Nazis.
In 2005 Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Center awarded their Medal of Justice to Abdelkader Ben Ghabrit’s family.
Visiting the Grand Mosque of Paris
The mosque is located in the 5th arrondissement in the Latin Quarter.
It is open every day except Friday and charges an admission fee of €3 per person.
The metro line 7 stations Censier-Daubenton and Place Monge are a short walk away.
The Grand Mosque is located in a residential neighborhood but there are plenty of nearby attractions to see after you visit the Mosque.
The Jardin des Plantes and the Museum of Natural History are minutes away.
The Pantheon, the Latin Quarter, and the Saint-Germain area.
What to see at the Grand Mosque of Paris
The building is designed in the Moorish style, and the tile mosaics are ornate and beautiful.
As you enter the mosque, you'll see gorgeous mosaics and keyhole arches. Keyhole arches, also known as Moorish arches, are very common in Islamic architecture. The arches lead to the wonderful gardens
The Gardens
The mosque’s interior garden area was our favorite part of the complex.
We visited in early May and just missed the high season for Wisteria but there was no shortage of beautiful flowers and greenery.
The garden features ornate fountains and is surrounded by stylized columns.
The Minaret
Rising 100 feet above the rest of the Mosque complex the Minaret dominates the block-long complex. Unfortunately, safety regulations don’t allow visitors to climb to the top.
The Tea Room
After visiting the mosque don’t miss the tea room, known for its Moroccan-style mint tea.
It sells delicious pistachio, honey, and almond-based pastries for €2 each.
Dress Code
It is best to dress modestly, be sure your knees and shoulders are covered before entering the mosque.
If you are not dressed appropriately, a staff member will ask you to take one of the sarong skirts offered at the entrance to wrap around your legs or shoulders.
This post was researched and written by John of the Empty Nest Explorers. You can learn more about the Empty Nest Explorers here.
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