For the Jewish traveler planning to visit Europe, naturally wanting to choose places with sites related to Jewish history, an opportunity to visit sacred places linked to the heritage of European Judaism, explore ancient synagogues, and find places with kosher services... Here is where a strange paradox occurs in our awareness. Names of cities and locations that are undoubtedly significant and well-known in the life of the Jewish people in Europe are mentioned, but among these names, the observant traveler somehow forgets about Paris...? The mental image of Paris that emerges in our memory is so full of names of Jewish artists, musicians, and writers from the past 100-150 years. Perhaps it escapes notice that Paris had a brief connection with the life of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem-Mendel Schneerson and... Theodore Herzl. But Paris is not considered a decisive city in the Jewish history of Europe.
Allow us to surprise you, dear Jewish traveler, for this exact purpose you have Chabadmap. Jews settled in Paris already in the 5th century, before the arrival of the French. The Jewish quarter flourished and thrived, and Jewish life was vibrant in Paris on the Île de la Cité from the 7th to the 13th century. The street leading to the royal palace, where the courthouse and the Conciergerie now stand, was called "Jewish Street."
One of the three islands of the Île de la Cité group is named "Jewish Island." The term "Jewish" was also the name of one of the three islands of La Cité. The first synagogue was built in Paris in the year 582. During the 12th century, Paris became a center of Jewish cultural life and a source of Jewish thought, Torah study, and Talmud. We are all familiar with "Rashi's daughters." So, it's good to know that one of Rashi's famous students, Rabbi Chassid Yehuda ben Yitzchak, was the head of the Paris yeshiva from 1198, and he even received the remarkable nickname Yehuda Sir Lyon from Paris.
Rabbi Yehuda ben Yitzchak "Sir Lyon" from Paris wrote "Tosafot" on the Talmud tractates. Only twenty of them have been preserved. He was the disciple of Rashi, and he was also the teacher of Rabbi Yitzchak ben Moshe, the author of the famous book "Or Zarua."
Can you feel the spiritual power that existed in this place? Paris is not just a rich cultural and luxurious modern tourist destination. The capital of France is also a place where the history of the Jewish people hides in the spiritual depths of the daily life of the Jewish community. One of the largest and oldest communities in Europe.
At Chabadmap, we will reveal to you the sparkles of the Jewish quarters and guide you to kosher hotels, kosher restaurants, and important sites. We will be your Jewish compass in Paris.
In the Jewish quarter, "Le Marais" in Paris, there are rich and diverse synagogues and community life. For the Jewish tourist visiting Paris, we recommend dedicating at least two days to exploring the Jewish quarter. Besides visiting historical sites, synagogues, and cultural landmarks, it's worth getting to know kosher restaurants and Jewish bookstores.
Unfortunately, in modern Paris, we can't precisely show you the house where Rabbi Yehuda "Sir Lyon" from Paris lived. Still, we are confident that as you stroll through the streets of the Jewish quarter in Paris, you will feel the special atmosphere. These are the places where the great rabbis "Ba'alei Tosafot" lived, wrote their books, and taught their students. The holiness is not hidden; you just need to sense it in the historic synagogues of Paris, even though they are relatively new, not counting more than a few hundred years. A sensitive Jewish traveler will find not only a place for prayer but also a new experience in the places where Jewish history, the sanctity of Torah, and learning unfolded. Perhaps you will discover new inspiration for your prayers.
Paris, grand and splendid, rushes to live - the famous and well-known Paris to all. But in its historical depths, Paris has been the important center of Jewish life, Israeli thought, and Torah creation since the 11th century. This is the Paris where its synagogues and yeshivas were full of Torah and wise scholars.
In these streets, the great rabbis who were the light of Torah in this city went home from the study houses. Somewhere here, Rabbi Elia ben Yehuda Parisi (also known as Rabbeinu HaTashba) – one of the great scholars of the 12th century who studied Talmud and engaged in heated debates with Rabbeinu Tam on the famous issue "Should we tie and untie the Tefillin straps every day?". We know Rabbi Elia ben Yehuda Parisi as the author of piyutim for the Shavuot holiday, "Barov Am" and "Umtz Yom Habechorim."
Do not miss visiting the synagogue "Agudath HaKehilot" located on Rue Pave 10. It is one of the most interesting synagogues in Paris, built in 1913 in the modern style by the famous Parisian architect Hector Guimard, who designed and built many famous buildings in Paris.
The impressive and ornate façade of the synagogue, with its curved lines and intricate decorations, stands near Rue de Rosiers in the heart of the "Marais" Jewish quarter of Paris. The breathtaking appearance of the synagogue attracts the eyes of many tourists. And if you decide to enter, you can be impressed by the interior design with high ceilings, numerous chandeliers, benches, and cast-iron lamps.
We leave the synagogue "Agudath HaKehilot" to Rue de Rosiers and return from hidden Paris to revealed Paris of fashion and shopping. Outside, rose gardens await you, giving the street its name.
Did you like the place? Do you want to live in "Marais," the Jewish quarter of Paris, or in its vicinity? Chabadmap will help you book a kosher hotel, recommend a kosher restaurant, and, of course, guide you in Parisian shopping.
Think for a moment: you might have just walked by the home near the yeshiva of Rabbi Samuel ben Meir (Rashbam), the grandson and disciple of Rashi, who was a commentator on the Bible, the Talmud, and one of the authors of Tosafot. Rashbam lived in Paris for a while, taught wise students of the city, and updated his interpretations repeatedly.
We are confident that getting to know the Jewish world of Paris will add a new dimension to your experience.
