Celebrating the end of Ramadan

This morning I had an appointment in the 13th arrondissement and on the way out I passed by the Grande Mosquée de Paris (the big Mosque of Paris), that I already showed you here. The place was absolutely packed, because of Aïd el-Fitr, which celebrated the end of Ramadan. Everybody was all dressed up and looked happy; it was really fun to see. Islam is the second religion in France, after Catholicism. It's also the fastest growing one, mainly due to immigration from Africa and to conversions (even though it's difficult to know for sure as the French Republic prohibits the performing of census based on religion, ethnic origins - or skin color). Also, France being a strict secular state, it is not always easy for all religions to find a space...     

The big mosque of Paris

I've showed you many churches on this blog, but I never showed you any mosque. And though we have several in Paris, including THE big Mosque of Paris, a unique monument built in 1916 in honor of the 70 000 Muslims who died soldiers for France during the first World war. The place is a definite must see for it's not only a mosque, but also an ideal place to relax ( at the hammam) and have a tea - or a meal - in the restaurant/tea room. It's located in the 5th arrondissement not far from Le jardin des plantes. More on the website.