23.1.14

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.  


8 comments:

Olivier said...

un endroit magnifique dans Paris, et puis on peut y boire un superbe thé

Jeanie said...

What a peaceful pot this is -- and the interior is so beautiful. I would love to stop in that garden after a long day of walking!

French Girl in Seattle said...

Bonjour Peter. You know, I never set a foot in la Grande Mosque during my Parisian years, or since then. Looking at these beautiful photos, I wonder why... Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

claude said...

J'aime l'histoire des Juifs qui s'y sont réfugiés.
Tes photos rendent bien la beauté de ce site. J'aime bien le style, seulement le style.

Alain said...

On pourrait suggérer à François (le pape) d'installer un salon de thé à Notre Dame de Paris ?

Synne said...

I've always liked the mosque! The shapes and colours of the building are so interesting and lively, and their thé à la menthe is delicious!

Studio at the Farm said...

Just finished reading a horrifying non-fiction book about modern-day jihad. Not feeling too receptive about this ...

Anonymous said...



¡Me encantó el comentario de M. Alain!

¿Quizás hubo en Notre Dame un salón de refrigerios durante la Revolución Francesa?

Cualquier cosa hicieron aquellos idealistas (¿terroristas?)en las iglesias...

¡Un artículo fantástico Peter! Y ni hablar de las fotos...
Mil gracias.
Maria