Tour

Follow the fascinating history of Jewish communities in Paris, from the Dark Ages to the 20th century, and get a taste of Jewish cuisine. 

During your journey through the world’s third most important Jewish community, choose between two of the best Jewish restaurants in Paris : Seferiade or Ashkenazi.

Your guide will describe you how the travelling Diasporas imported goods and consumption habits coming from around the world. Fundamental ingredients like pepper, saffron, or curry were actually first introduced in the Paris district of Le Marais!

Price per private group of 1 to 4:

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We start at the convent des Billettes, a symbol of the old policies of the monarchy abolished by Napoleon, and continue our exploration of the vibrant Jewish heritage of Paris by visiting the Museum of art and history of Judaism found in the Hotel Saint-Aignan. Since the 13th century, the Rue des Rosiers, has been the heart of the main Jewish quarter of Paris. The unique atmosphere of the neighborhood will allow you to travel between the Ashkenazis and Seferiades world.

Though Le Marais hosts a large majority of Jews, it cannot be called a ghetto. The Italian word ghetto originally means “the gate” as Italian’s ghettos were closed at nighttime. This neighborhood has never been gated, but it remains a crossroad for Jews and other cultures from all around the world: Eastern Europe, North Africa meet in this lively area. And all brought their food traditions, as witnessed by the many restaurants, grocers, bakeries, and pastry shops from all origin. 

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For lunch, choose between two of the best Jewish restaurants in Paris : Seferiade or Ashkenazi— Then listen to your guide describe how the travelling Diasporas imported goods and consumption habits coming from around the world. Fundamental ingredients like pepper, saffron, or curry were actually first introduced in the Paris district of Le Marais!

Toward the end of your journey through the world’s third most important Jewish community,  visit synagogues designed by two famous architects of Paris, Guimard and Eiffel, where you may be able to wrap tefilin.

Finally, your guide will lead you to the Shoah Memorial, and discuss the history of this monument which commemorates the victims, but also the righteous among the nations

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All the Jews of Europe

“Napoleon emancipated not only French but all European Jews from old laws restricting them to ghettos as well as the many laws that limited Jews' rights to property, worship, and careers.

"My primary desire was to liberate the Jews and make them full citizens. I wanted to confer upon them all the legal rights of equality, liberty, and fraternity, as was enjoyed by the Catholics and Protestants. It is my wish that the Jews be treated like brothers, as if we were all part of Judaism. As an added benefit, I thought that this would bring to France many riches because the Jews are numerous, and they would come in large numbers to our country where they would enjoy more privileges than in any other nation. Without the events of 1814, most of the Jews of Europe would have come to France where equality, fraternity, and liberty awaited them—where they could serve the country like everyone else."

Napoleon, 1816. 

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- Cloister of convent des Billettes
- Inner Courtyard of Hotel Saint-Aignan
- Hotel de Soubise.
- Lunch at Jewish Deli 20€pp
- Visit a synagogue ( and if you desired: tefilin ceremony )
- Shoah Memorial

Info