La Grande Mosquée de Paris

Time Out says

Some distance removed from the Arabic-speaking inner-city enclaves of Barbès and Belleville, this vast Hispano-Moorish construct is nevertheless the spiritual heart of France's Algerian-dominated Muslim population. Built from 1922 to 1926 with elements inspired by the Alhambra and the Bou Inania Medersa in Fès, the Paris mosque is dominated by a stunning green-and-white tiled square minaret.

In plan and function it divides into three sections: religious (grand patio, prayer room and minaret, all for worshippers and not curious tourists); scholarly (Islamic school and library); and, via rue Geoffroy-St-Hilaire, commercial (café and domed hammam).

La Mosquée café (open 9am-midnight daily) is delightful - a modest courtyard with blue-and-white mosaic-topped tables shaded beneath green foliage and scented with the sweet smell of sheesha smoke (€6). Charming waiters distribute thé à la menthe (€2), along with syrupy, nutty North African pastries, sorbets and fruit salads.

Venue location

• Address:

  La Grande Mosquée de Paris 2 place du Puits de l'Ermite
  5e
  Paris
  

• Opening hours:

  Tours 9am-noon, 2-6pm Mon-Thur, Sat, Sun (closed Muslim hols). Tearoom 10am-11.30pm daily. Restaurant noon-2.30pm, 7.30-10.30pm daily. Baths (women) 10am-9pm Mon, Wed, Sat; 2-9pm Fri; (men) 2-9pm Tue, Sun

• Price:

  €3; €2 reductions; free under-7s. Tearoom free. Baths €15-€35

• Map

  1. La Grande Mosquée de Paris
     • 2 place du Puits de l'Ermite
       5e
       Paris
     • 48.842327,2.354581