The Grand Mosque de Paris – an actual oasis in the city

On a recent trip to Paris we spent a tranquil afternoon wandering around the beautiful Grande Mosquée de Paris in the 5th arrondissement. The mudejar style mosque with its 33m minaret is one of the largest in France. On a very warm October day it was fresh and cool with a wonderful atmosphere of peace. We learned the mosque was founded in 1926 as a token of gratitude after the war to Muslims from France’s colonial empire, of whom 100,000 died fighting against Germany and was a secret refuge during the war for Algerian and European Jews. There is a fantastic mosque cafe, overhung with olive trees and serving delicous hot mint tea and baklava among other delights. You are made very welcome when you vist although you should check out visiting times in advance as they vary. You can find out more here.