5 quieter Paris tourist spots to avoid the 2024 Olympics crowds, from a Notre-Dame alternative to The Grand Mosque
- Paris and its famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower will be packed during the Olympics, but there are other places to see for a more peaceful experience
- From a mosque some say is more glorious than the Arc de Triomphe to a Notre-Dame Cathedral alternative to a grand old library, here are some of the best
Paris will be even busier than usual this summer, with the French capital hosting the 2024 Olympics from July 26 to August 11, but visitors can avoid the worst of the crowds while not watching the sporting action by visiting some of its lesser-known attractions.
Fortunately, Paris is laden with intriguing and photogenic sites and experiences, some of which are relatively far from the tourist trail.
1. The Grand Mosque of Paris
For some, France’s proudest monument, the Arc de Triomphe, is eclipsed by this Islamic house of worship.
The Grand Mosque of Paris’ 33 metre-tall (110ft) square minaret, aqua-hued tiles, geometric mosaics, Arabesque decorations and dazzling lattice work were inspired by Moorish wonders such as Morocco’s Al-Qarawiyyin mosque.
Perhaps the most glorious mosque to be found in a non-Muslim-majority country, this one is also very welcoming to tourists.
The mosque neighbours the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden, in the Latin Quarter of the 5th arrondissement, in Paris’ inner-south, and costs €3 (US$3.20) to enter.
