France is a secular state, born out of a complex and often bloody religious history. It’s a history you’ll find written across the capital’s churches. Architecture-lovers are in for a feast: how many other cities boast a Gothic cathedral, a neo-classical temple and a Machine-Age dome within walking distance of each other? What’s more, despite the iconoclasm of the Revolution, many Parisian churches display remarkable works of art, objects that wouldn’t look out of place in the galleries of the Louvre. For the most part, they remain living places of worship which you’re free to explore, providing you show appropriate respect. The cathedrals, basilica and churches in this section represent some of the highlights for visitors, but the selection wouldn’t be complete without the Grande Mosquée de Paris , a beautiful building in its own right, and one which plays an important part in the modern life of the city.