In Seine-et-Marne, visit France’s first traditional Hindu temple.

In Bussy-Saint-Georges, the first Hindu temple on mainland France, built according to the principles of traditional architecture, opened its doors in September 2026. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

This building is set to draw attention in Bussy-Saint-Georges. After years of preparation and construction, the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir of Paris now welcomes visitors. Its hallmark? It is billed as the first Hindu temple in metropolitan France built specifically according to the principles of traditional Hindu architecture.

Since the beginning of September 2026, the site has been open to the public. While the mandir is accessible to everyone and free of charge, visitors are asked to cover their shoulders or knees—regardless of gender—and interior photography is not permitted. Additionally, to access the temple’s various spaces, shoes must be removed and left in designated lockers; wearing socks is allowed.

The project is spearheaded by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, a global socio-spiritual Hindu organization. The Sanskrit term mandir simply denotes a temple—a place where devotees come to pray and pay homage to the deities.

One of the project’s defining features lies in its architecture. The building blends modern construction techniques with the codes of sacred Hindu architecture. Stones carved in India were used to craft its detailing, and the project covers several thousand square meters.

The mandir is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan as well as to several deities from the Hindu tradition. But its mission goes beyond religious practice: it is also meant to become a hub for discovering Hindu culture, open to people of all faiths and all backgrounds.

The choice of Bussy-Saint-Georges is not accidental. The temple joins the Esplanade of Religions and Cultures, a neighborhood where several religious communities share a site. It already hosts Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish places of worship, while the Notre-Dame du Val church is just a few hundred meters away. The esplanade’s stated objective is to foster encounters, deepen knowledge of different cultures, and encourage dialogue between communities. Beyond its role as a place of worship, this new temple is expected to become an additional cultural destination in Seine-et-Marne and give the Île-de-France public the opportunity to become acquainted with Hindu traditions, architecture, and spirituality.

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