Our Favorite Spot in Paris

Our Favorite Spot in Paris

Our Favorite Spot in Paris

One of my most cherished stops whenever I find myself in Paris is the tranquil café at the Grande Mosquée de Paris. I first discovered it with my cousin when I was eighteen, and almost every trip since then, I make sure to return. In a city so alive with movement, this quiet refuge—with its intricate tiles, gentle light, and soothing scent of mint—always feels like coming home.

For just two euros (a price that, impressively, has stayed the same for nearly two decades), a friendly waiter will bring you a cup of hot mint tea. It’s a small pleasure, but one you’ll likely want more of, especially as you settle into the surroundings—soft murmurs of conversation, the rustle of pages, laughter, introspection—all mingling under the arches and mosaic tiles.

Don’t skip the pastries: traditionally North African, sweet and comforting, they pair beautifully with the tea. Whether you’re sharing stories or simply letting the world float by, they make the moment richer. Plus, the location is unbeatable—just across from the Jardin des Plantes and the National Museum of Natural History, it’s a spot made for lingering, for letting hours pass in ease.

In times when travel feels distant, when cities seem like names on screens rather than places under our feet, holding onto places like this matters. These are the corners of the world that remind us why we wander, what we miss, and how deeply connection—to place, memory, beauty—can nourish the soul. Until we meet again, Paris…