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Al-Andalus & Europe
Grande Mosquée de Paris
5th arrondissement, Paris, France
The first mosque founded in modern France and one of the oldest in Western Europe, raised in honour of colonial subjects who fought in the First World War: an Andalusian courtyard, Moroccan zellij, gardens and traditional hammams.
Story & history
The French Parliament resolved to build it in gratitude for the Muslims of the colonies who fought for France in the Great War, and it opened in 1926 with grand official ceremony. Its architects modelled the courtyard on Moroccan-Andalusian lines of arches, zellij and fountains. The mosque remains a gathering point for Paris's Muslims and a landmark beside the botanical garden.
Getting there
Pin the site on the map or head straight there with your maps app; opening hours and access vary by season.
Quick facts
- France's oldest mosque
- A Moroccan courtyard with a famous café and restaurant
- In the Latin Quarter near the museums
Visiting tip
Morning; then tour the nearby Latin Quarter — its mint-tea café is a beloved local experience.