Grand Mosque of Évry, Islamic center in Évry-Courcouronnes, France
The Grand Mosque of Évry is a mosque in Évry-Courcouronnes, 26 km southeast of Paris, designed by architect Henri Baudot. Its prayer hall has four tall square columns clad in green and white geometric tilework, a flat wooden ceiling with a central skylight, and a mihrab flanked by dark shelving. The building includes a 25-meter minaret and covers 7,000 square meters.
Fundraising for the mosque began in the early 1980s; the modest sum collected led to financing from Persian Gulf states, arranged by the Saudi businessman Akram Aadja, and from the Islamic Development Bank. The building permit was obtained in 1984, the first stone laid that year, and work began in 1985. Interior decoration was funded by the Hassan II Foundation. The mosque opened in 1994 (some sources say 1995), designed by architect Henri Baudot.
The building serves the Muslim community as a gathering space for celebrations, shared meals, and religious discussions that weave faith into everyday life. These activities transform the mosque into a social hub that reflects how the community uses and values the space.
The mosque has ablution rooms and a step-free entrance for visitors with reduced mobility. It is open to both men and women, and a cultural centre is attached to the building. The prayer hall holds up to 5,000 people, so it fills at prayer times.
The building was recognized as Heritage of the 20th Century in 2011, acknowledging its importance as a modern religious structure in France. This recognition highlights how the construction is viewed as a significant example of contemporary French architecture.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,916 contributors worldwide.
