Paris:

Paris: Jewish History Guided Tour In Marais

Join a walking tour through the Marais, Paris’s historic Jewish district. This small-group experience includes key landmarks such as the Holocaust Memorial and the largest synagogue in the area (viewed from outside), along with the iconic Rue des Rosiers, also known as the Pletzl in Yiddish.

Meet your guide in front of the BHV Department Store, across from Hotel de Ville, to begin exploring the history of the Jewish community in Paris. Learn how it developed from its earliest settlements to the move into the Marais. Along the way, visit the site of the first public burning of the Talmud, see the St Gervais church, and admire two of the oldest medieval houses in the city.

Next, pass the Holocaust Memorial (Mémorial de la Shoah) and gain insights into its historical significance from the exterior. After that, continue through the Village Saint Paul, once a hiding place for Jews during the Nazi occupation and now a peaceful neighborhood with art and design workshops.

Stories of major historical events and notable figures, including Chagall and his painted ceiling at the Opera Garnier, further enrich the walk. The route also features the Hector Guimard Synagogue, an Art Nouveau masterpiece with detailed ironwork, vibrant stained glass, and graceful flowing lines.

Finally, stroll along Rue des Rosiers, lined with Jewish bakeries, delicatessens, and specialty shops that remain a hub of Jewish life to this day. The walk concludes in front of the Museum of Jewish Art and History, which can be explored independently afterward.

This Jewish Marais walking tour offers a rich perspective on Jewish history, architecture, and culture in one of Paris’s most storied districts.