PARIS

Halal-friendly vacations

Tour Eiffel
This iconic wrought-iron tower is one of the world’s most famous structures. There are great views from the top, but it gets booked up early so make sure you book in advance.

Louvre
Possibly the world’s most famous art museum, its enigmatic Mona Lisa remains its best-known artwork. It also has a fascinating Department of Islamic Art.

Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées
This triumphal arch stands at the western end of the grand avenue known as the Champs Elysées. You can climb to the top for splendid views over the city.

Versailles
This magnificent palace with its glittering Hall of Mirrors symbolizes the excesses of the French monarchy. It is set in beautiful gardens and well worth a visit. Those who are keen to explore more royal palaces and castles could also add the Château de Fontainebleau, Château de Vincennes and many more to their list.

Musée d’Orsay
This art museum is housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts former railway station and houses some of France’s most famous art works, especially from the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist periods.

Sacré Coeur and Montmartre
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris is a Roman Catholic Church, set at the highest point of Paris, overlooking the colorful district of Montmartre.

Notre Dame
The medieval Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame is one of Paris’s most recognizable monuments. It was made famous in Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Disneyland Paris
Combine sightseeing with entertainment for all the family, with a trip to Disneyland Paris. It is easily reached by shuttle bus, train or car from the city.

Conciergerie
This former prison is now mostly used as a court of law.

Panthéon
This monument honors great people who have made their mark on the history of France since the French Revolution.

Grand Palais
This large historic site is home to an exhibition hall and museum complex.

Center Pompidou
This building is renowned for its modern architecture and houses the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest museum of modern art in Europe.

Cité des sciences et de l'industrie
Set in the Parc de la Villette it is home to a number of attractions promoting science and science culture.

The Louvre’s Department of Islamic Art

The Cour Visconti is the setting for the Louvre’s Department of Islamic Art, covered with a stunning undulating glass roof which covers the historic courtyard. Some 3000 objects are on display here, originating from three continents and spanning 1300 years of history. There has been a Muslim art section at the Louvre since 1893 and the whole collection contains over 14,000 objects including those from Royal collections as well as donations and acquisitions from private collectors.

Institut du Monde Arabe - Arab World Institute

The Arab World Institute contains a fascinating mix of temporary and permanent exhibitions and is well worth a visit, for those interested in Islamic culture. These not only display Islamic heritage but also the pre-Islamic past of Arab countries, from neolithic times onwards.

Center Culturel Algérien - Algerian Cultural Center

The Algerian Cultural Center is situated in the 15th arrondissement and plays host to many cultural and artistic event, showcasing Algerian Culture. It also has its own library with works in French and Arabic.

Mosques in Paris

There are over 2300 mosques in France, and since Paris has a significant Muslim population it is very easy to find places to worship. Many neighborhoods have mosques catering for different Muslim communities.

These are some of the best-known mosques in Paris:

Grande Mosquée de Paris - Grand Mosque of Paris
This beautiful mosque was completed in 1926 and built in the Moorish style. Its minaret is 33 meters high and it is the largest mosque in France and the third largest mosque in Europe. It was founded after the First World War as a symbol of gratitude to the Muslim soldiers who died fighting for France. During the Second World War, when Paris was occupied by Nazi Germany, it famously acted as a refuge for Jews, where they were given shelter and issued with Muslim birth certificates. The Mosque is set in peaceful gardens with its own small café serving delicious pastries, Moroccan tagines and refreshing mint tea. It also has its own Hammam or Turkish Bath, which is open to ladies only on certain days of the week and men only on others. Check for details before visiting as the baths have also been undergoing refurbishment work.

Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque
This small neighborhood mosque is conveniently located in the 11th arrondissement, close to the Place de la République.

Mosquée de Gennevilliers Ennour
This attractive domed mosque was opened in 2010 and is an active community center, situated on the outskirts of Paris.

Suburban Paris Mosques

Some of the French capital’s largest mosques are located in the suburbs. These include the Mosquée de Créteil also known as La Mosquée Sahaba, which is a modern, suburban mosque housing two large prayer halls for men, and one for women, which is home to an active Arabic language school.

Other significant mosques include the Mosquée d'Aulnay-sous-Bois, the Mosquée de Tremblay-en-France, which is not far from the airport of Paris Charles de Gaulle, and the biggest Mosque in France : Mosquée d'Evry-Courcouronnes.