France is set to welcome its first traditional Hindu Mandir — the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Bussy-Saint-Georges, a suburb 30 km east of Paris. The temple, built in the ancient shilpashastra style with hand-carved stone shipped from India, is scheduled to open in September 2026 with a major 12-day inauguration festival.
Construction began in June 2024, and the carved stone panels from Indian craftsmen have already arrived on site. The Mandir is located at Allée Madame de Montespan, 77600 Bussy-Saint-Georges — accessible by RER A to Bussy-Saint-Georges station.
The project has received support from French municipal and regional authorities, as well as the Indian Embassy in Paris, who view it as a landmark cultural bridge between the two countries.
The Inauguration Festival: Paris Mandir Mahotsav
The temple will inaugurate with the Paris Mandir Mahotsav, running from 3 to 14 September 2026. The festival will include traditional Hindu ceremonies, cultural performances, and will be open to the public regardless of faith or background — in keeping with the BAPS tradition of welcoming all visitors.
Why This Matters for the Indian Community
Until now, the Indian Hindu community in France has had no large-scale traditional Mandir. Smaller prayer halls and community centres have filled the gap, but nothing on this scale. The BAPS Mandir will serve as a permanent place of worship, cultural learning, and community gathering — the kind of institution that has long existed for the Sikh and Tamil Hindu communities in Paris.
For Indian students and families arriving in France, the Mandir will be a significant anchor: a familiar space where festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Janmashtami can be celebrated properly.
Mark your calendar: September 3–14, 2026.