Métro: Place Monge (line 7) or Censier Daubenton (line 4)
Address: 2 bis place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005 Paris
Hours:Saturday -Thursday 9:00 am- 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm-6:00 pm
Closed on Friday
Cost: 3 euros
Website: http://www.mosqueedeparis.net/
Can I just be honest for a second? I
don't know if you have seen A Mighty Heart (2007) or Black Hawk Down
(2001)? Well I have and I have been traumatized ever since. So when
my husband said he wanted to visit the Middle East, I about died. I
know this is stupid and everyone that I know who has been there
absolutely loved it. I say to that: good for them. Me? I belong to
Paris.
But I also learned that if you want to
save your marriage you need to compromise (honestly not much of a
compromise because I really wanted to go) so I offered to visit the
mosque of Paris. We went by a few times before and the people are
always so friendly and welcoming. We started a few conversations on
the street which NEVER happens in Paris. I am a Christian but I never
felt like anything was imposed on me and talking about religions
seems to be the norm there. I keep very fond memories of the people
we have met at the mosque.
Obviously this is a place for worship
so you will need to be respectful and you won't be able to visit the
prayer rooms or go in on Friday. But you can walk around this
gorgeous place and for a second feel like you have just traveled
hundreds of miles to a small paradise. And unlike us, I wish your
visit in on a sunny day. It makes a huge difference.
The decision to build the Mosque of Paris is made
after World War I to honor the 70,000 Muslims who lost their life
fighting for France. It is the very mosque built in France. It is
inspired by the El Qaraouiyyîn mosque in Fez in Morocco which is one
of the oldest in the world. All the beautiful decoration are realized
by specialized craftsmen from North Africa. The mosque also is known
as a Resistance center during WWII. Their mission was to save British
paras and find a hiding spot for them. Later they also hide Jewish
families and procured them with fake papers. (Thanks Wikipedia!)
The garden is a real delight. The tiles are just amazing. I am just in awe with all the details and craftsmanship that went into creating this place.
I really had a great
time but a word of caution. Don't eat at the restaurant! We used the
bathroom next to the kitchen to find gigantic cockroaches on the
floor. Not so cool.
