The Grand Mosque of Paris is one of the most unique places to visit in the city.
The impressive structure occupies an entire city block. It features prayer rooms, Turkish baths, an outdoor garden, a library, a gift shop, and a tearoom and restaurant. The Grand Mosque of Paris (Grande Mosquée de Paris in French) is the oldest and biggest mosque in mainland France. Groundbreaking began in 1922, officially making it a century old.
Of course, visitors are not allowed inside the prayer rooms. Most visitors go to experience its tranquil garden oasis.
Being inside the mosque's garden is to be transported somewhere far from Paris.
The Grand Mosque is beautiful all year round.
A bit of history
The Grand Mosque was a gift to the Muslim community after the first World War in honor of the Muslim soldiers who died protecting France.
Little known to the general public, the mosque was built on a labyrinth of caverns. These rooms and tunnels were left over from an excavation by the city of Paris in search of building stones.
In World War II, Muslim freedom fighters used the passageways as a resistance site during the Nazi occupation. Jewish friends and family were hidden underground and given papers declaring that they were of Muslim faith and had a membership to the mosque, in hopes of avoiding persecution.
Sources vary greatly on how many Jewish people were housed and saved in the mosque. Some say a few dozen while others say hundreds.
So not only is it of great historical significance, but it continues to be an impressive structure proudly promoting the visibility of Islam in France.
The mosque's outdoor garden was exploding with greenery when I went.
How to get there
The Grand Mosque is located at 2bis Place du Puits de l'Ermite in the 5th arrondissement.
As always, I'm a fan of taking the metro. Take metro line 7 to the station Censier-Daubenton. Use exit 2: rue Monge. From there, it's about a 5-minute walk away.
When to visit
For guests, the highlight of your visit will likely be the garden oasis of the mosque's garden. As such, the best times to visit are in spring and summer when everything is green and the flowers are in bloom.
Just keep in mind that the Grand Mosque is one of the most well-known places in Paris to see wisteria in the spring. It will be absolutely mobbed by photographers and selfie-takers (and rightly so), so keep that in mind when planning your visit.
Otherwise, the mosque tends to be pretty quiet, especially if you visit right when it opens in the morning.
This is from a visit in April when the wisteria was at its best!
Roses in the mosque's main garden.
Hours & Cost
The mosque is open to visitors daily except on Fridays. Closed on Muslim holidays.
Summer hours: 9am - 12am & 2pm - 7pm.
Winter hours: 9am - 12am & 2pm - 6pm.
Tickets are €3 and €2 for students with proof of ID. Bring cash AND card. I've been when they've only accepted cash because their machine was broken, and I've been when they only accept card due to a high volume of visitors.
Dress code
Be sure your knees and shoulders are covered before entering the mosque. Open-toed shoes are okay. If you're visiting on a hot day when you can't fathom the idea of wearing covering clothing, I'd recommend bringing your own scarf to cover up upon entering the mosque.
If you are not dressed appropriately, a staff member at the entrance will ask you to take one of the cloths offered at the entrance to drape around your legs or shoulders. Remember to return it at the end of your visit.
I opted for a long skirt that covered my knees and a shirt that hid my shoulders.
The mosque's minaret peaking through wisteria leaves.
Inside the mosque
The central patio has a large retractable roof.
Keyhole arches, also known as Moorish arches, are symbols of Islamic architecture.
As you enter the mosque, you'll be surrounded by gorgeous mosaics and keyhole arches. Keyhole arches, also known as Moorish arches, are emblematic of Islamic architecture. Pass through one and head out into the mosque's magnificent garden.
The spectacular garden
Beautiful teal tiles cover the garden's floor.
Spring and summer really are the best times to visit; it's so lush!
Arguably the best part of visiting the Grand Mosque is its extensive outdoor garden. Filled with ornate marble mosaics and turquoise tiles, it's a true paradise.
From inside the garden, you'll get a clear view of the 108 feet tall (33 meters) minaret. The minaret was modeled off of the Zitouna Mosque's minaret in Tunisia. The rest of the worship site was modeled off of a mosque in Fez, Morocco.
Take a stroll along the emerald paths and enjoy the blissful feeling of being somewhere far beyond the city of Paris.
The entrance to the garden.
A little-known fact about me: I'm kind of obsessed with mosques. The call to prayer is one of my favorite sounds in the world, be it in France, Morocco, Turkey, or Thailand. I'm not religious, but there is something incredibly powerful about a single, melodic voice being carried through the wind. It'll send a chill down your spine.
I'm equally mesmerized by the geometry and intricacies of the colorful mosaics. I wish my entire house could look like that.
The garden is an ideal place to take photos, so remember to bring your camera. On the topic of what to bring, I'd also suggest a pair of sunglasses. In direct sunlight, some of the tiles can be blinding.
It's truly a garden oasis.
Much as I loved my experience of visiting the Grand Mosque, it saddened me to see many of the garden's tiles missing or in disrepair. Several of the fountains were also looking pretty rough.
After being shut down at the height of the pandemic, I hope that its reopening will allow for the necessary restorations. I don't think it took much away from my visit overall - I just hope the space gets the facelift it deserves!
Overlooking part of the mosque's outdoor garden, surrounded by colorful mosaics.
A small pool of water at the entrance to the garden.
The tearoom
Stop at the Grand Mosque's tearoom for a delicious Moroccan-style mint tea.
After your visit to the mosque, head over to the tearoom for a Moroccan-style mint tea.
This is something that I miss from Morocco! For a small fee, my lovely riad host in Marrakech would prepare mint tea for me to sip on the roof as I watched the sun go down over the medina.
It's still one of my all-time favorite drinks. It's sweet yet refreshing, and a must-have for your visit.
The Grand Mosque of Paris has a fascinating and rich history with strong ties to both world wars. It continues to be a symbol of pride and visibility for the Muslim community in Paris.
For guests, it can be the perfect retreat into nature and a way to experience the beauty of a culture perhaps different from your own. Remember to be respectful during your visit, as it is first and foremost a place of worship.
Visiting the Grand Mosque really is a unique experience in Paris and one I highly recommend. I hope this has inspired you to take a trip. Enjoy your visit!
