The "Grande Mosquée de Paris"

The Grande Mosquée de Paris (the Great Mosque) was built in 1926. It was to be considered as a tribute by France to the maybe 100.000 Muslims from the then still existing French colonial empire who died when fighting on the allied side during WWI. 

It is also said that during WWII, the mosque served as a refuge for several hundred Jews, who were temporarily sheltered here and got fake Muslim birth certificates.

I had decided to at last visit, but was a bit early, so I took first a tour around the building and then waited, accompanied by some pigeons. You can visit the mosque all days (closed between noon and 2 pm) except Fridays.

You can walk around freely and easily, as well in the beautiful garden as in the different rooms…

… of course with some exceptions for non-muslims …

But, everybody is welcome for a meal or a tea in the very nice restaurant.