Prayer Times in Paris.

The five daily prayers

Muslims observe five obligatory prayers each day: Fajr (pre-dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (just after sunset), and Isha (night). The start time of each prayer is determined by the sun's position below the horizon at your location. In Paris, prayer times shift considerably across the seasons due to the city's latitude of 48.8 degrees north, and the France-wide summer time change (heure d'ete) shifts all times by one hour twice a year.

Calculation methods used in Paris

The Muslim World League (MWL) method is the most common calculation standard used by mosques in Paris and across France. This method sets Fajr at 18 degrees below the horizon and Isha at 17 degrees. The Grande Mosquee de Paris, the oldest mosque in France, follows the MWL method, as do many mosques with ties to Algeria and Morocco.

The Union des Organisations Islamiques de France (UOIF), now part of the Conseil Francais du Culte Musulman (CFCM) and sometimes referred to as the CCMTF method, publishes its own calculation which applies an angle-based approach similar to MWL but with minor variations for France's specific latitude. At 48.8 degrees north, Paris experiences long summer evenings where Isha can fall very late (past 11 PM or later), and some imams advise combining Maghrib and Isha or using the nearest day rule during peak summer. FivePrayer lets you configure these preferences to match your local mosque.

Paris's Muslim community and mosques

France has the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, estimated at five to six million, with a significant proportion concentrated in the greater Paris (Ile-de-France) region. The community is overwhelmingly of Maghrebi origin, reflecting the historical ties between France and its former North African territories. Algerian-origin Muslims form the largest group, followed by Moroccan and Tunisian communities. Sub-Saharan African Muslims (particularly from Mali, Senegal, and Comoros) form a smaller but significant part of the Parisian Muslim community.

The most prominent mosque in Paris is the Grande Mosquee de Paris in the 5th arrondissement, near the Jardin des Plantes. Opened in 1926, it was built to honor North African soldiers who died fighting for France in World War I. It includes a courtyard, a school, and a library, and its minaret is a recognized landmark. Mosquee Omar in the 10th arrondissement is one of the largest in the city center. Mosquee de la Madeleine in the 9th arrondissement and Mosquee Abou Bakr Assidiq in the 15th serve major populations. In the suburbs, Mosquee d'Evry-Courcouronnes (Grand Mosquee d'Evry) in Essonne, completed in 1994, is among the largest mosques in France with a capacity for over a thousand. The Paris banlieues have a dense network of prayer halls and mosques, particularly in Seine-Saint-Denis (93), Val-de-Marne, and Hauts-de-Seine.

Qibla direction from Paris

From central Paris, the Qibla bearing to the Kaaba in Mecca is approximately 119 degrees from true north, roughly southeast. Unlike North American cities where the Qibla faces northeast, from Paris the shortest path to Mecca runs southeast across the Mediterranean. FivePrayer's compass feature gives you the precise bearing from your exact GPS coordinates, adjusted for magnetic declination at your location.

Practical guidance for praying in Paris

Summer Isha arrives very late. At Paris's latitude in June and July, Isha on the MWL method can fall after 11:30 PM or even midnight. Many Parisian mosques adopt the "nearest day" principle during peak summer, setting Isha at a fixed time like 10:30 PM instead of waiting for the astronomical angle to be reached. Confirm the convention at your local mosque and set FivePrayer to match.

Winter Maghrib comes very early. In December, Maghrib in Paris falls around 5:00 PM. Dhuhr arrives just after noon and Asr at around 2:30 PM. If you are working through the afternoon, FivePrayer notifications are important for catching these prayers before the window closes.

Prayer facilities around Paris: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) has multi-faith prayer rooms in Terminal 2E (Hall M) and Terminal 2F. Orly Airport has a prayer room in Terminal Ouest. The Paris Metro system has no designated prayer spaces, but Paris has a high density of mosques, often within walking distance in most arrondissements and suburbs. Many universities, including Paris-Sorbonne and UPEC, have quiet spaces used for prayer by Muslim students.

FAQ

What time is Fajr in Paris?

Fajr in Paris ranges from around 6:40 AM in December to before 4:00 AM in June under the MWL method (18 degree angle). The time shifts daily and changes by one hour when France's summer time begins and ends. FivePrayer shows you today's exact time for your location.

Which calculation method is used for prayer times in Paris?

Most Paris mosques use the Muslim World League (MWL) method (18 degree Fajr angle). The UOIF or CFCM calculation is also common. Some mosques apply summer adjustments for late Isha. FivePrayer supports all these methods and can be configured to match your mosque's timetable.

What is the Qibla direction from Paris?

Approximately 119 degrees from true north (southeast). From Paris, the shortest path to Mecca runs southeast over the Mediterranean, so the Qibla faces southeast. FivePrayer's compass gives you the precise bearing from your current position.

Does Summer Time affect prayer times in Paris?

Yes. France observes CEST (UTC+2) in summer and CET (UTC+1) in winter. The clock change shifts all prayer times by one hour. FivePrayer handles this automatically so you never need to manually update your settings.

Which mosques are in Paris?

Paris has over 100 mosques and prayer halls. The Grande Mosquee de Paris in the 5th arrondissement is the oldest and most iconic. Mosquee Omar in the 10th and Mosquee de la Madeleine in the 9th are prominent city-center mosques. Mosquee d'Evry-Courcouronnes in Essonne is one of the largest in France. Seine-Saint-Denis has the highest density of mosques in the greater Paris area.