Jewish Heritage Tours
France
Jewish Paris Tour
The city’s most famous Jewish neighborhood is in the Marais and is known as the Pletzl – Yiddish for little Place. This 4th arrondissment district (Metro: St. Paul) has been home to Jews on and off since the thirteenth century. Today, though gentrification has made this one of the city’s most fashionable quarters, it is still heavily Jewish and has been for nearly one hundred years.
Explore and learn the history and culture of the world's fourth largest Jewish community, visit the Jewish Documentation Center and Holocaust Memorial. The Museum of Jewish Art and History opened in December 1998, is dedicated to the celebration of Jewish life in the extensive picture exhibits and collection of ritual objects.
At number 10 is Agudath Hakehilot, an orthodox synagogue. Designed by Hector Guimard, the Art Nouveau architect and decorator famous for the Paris metro stations, and built in 1914, this is the largest synagogue in the Pletzl. Guimard's wife, an American, was Jewish and with the rise of Nazism they left France for the United States. On Yom Kippur 1940 it was dynamited by the Germans, but has since been restored and is now a national monument in addition to playing a key role in the community
Rue des Rosiers continues to rue des Ecouffes (street of kites – a bird of prey and an archaic and derisive term for pawnbroker). There are a number of orthodox synagogues along this short street. You will see the posters of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Many Lubavitcher Hasidim live in this neighborhood and their worldwide followers are a strong presence here and elsewhere in Paris.
The Synagogue des Tournelles adheres to the
practices of Sefardic Judaism, the building was constructed in 1876 with
assistance by the internationally known Gustave Eiffel.
Nissim de Camondo Museum hosts an exceptional
collection of art objects. The family de Camondo had a tragic history. Comte
Moïse de Camondo was born in Istanbul in 1860
into a Sepharadic Jewish family that owned one of the largest banks in the
Ottoman Empire, established in France since 1869. Moïse de
camondo meant to give his mansion and
collection to his son Nissim. But World War I
broke out, and Nissim was killed in an air
battle iun 1917. After this tragic loss, he decided to bedqueath his property to
the “Arts Décoratifs”, in memory of his son. The museum opened the year after
Moise de Camondo died, in 1935.
During World War II, his daughter, Béatrice, his son-of-law Léon Reinach and their children, Fanny and Bertrand, died in the nazi camps.
Art lovers can discover the studio and home of Ossip Zadkine and the Montparnasse Museum – home of the School of Paris: Chagall, Soutine, Modigliani...
Other item of interest is Ossip Zadkine museum.
Ossip Zadkine, a Russian-born artist who emigrated to Paris in 1908, lived and
worked here from 1928 until his death in 1967. His wife, Valentine Prax, who was
herself a painter, continued to live here until she died in 1981. At that time,
the house and the works were donated to the City of Paris. The Zadkine Museum
opened a year later in 1982. Exhibited here are most of Zadkine's works of
Cubism and Abstraction.
The most famous area in Paris to meet the Jewish community will be "Le Sentier"
textile district of Paris, near Le Marais.
The tour will include a walk of Le Marais and then "Le Sentier" ( modern Jewish area of Paris) to see the contrast between the old & new Jewish districts of Paris.
If your preference is for art, you can visit the Montparnasse studios of
Chagall, Man Ray, Soutine and Pascin, the Montparnasse Museum, the Zadkine Museum
(above)
Dina Vierny-Auguste
Maillol Museum, commissioned by Russian-Jewish gallery owner Dina Vierny. She
was a model who inspired the sculptor Aristide Maillol.
Castles of The Jewish Millionaires
Discover two of the most stunning castles and gardens in the Ile-de-France: the Chateau of Ferrieres designed by the English architect Joseph Paxton and built for James and Bettina Rothschild and the Château of Champs, once home to Madame de Pompadour, and later owned by the Jewish banker Louis Cahen, who returned it to its former magnificence before bequeathing it to the French state.
Chagall Museum, known for its stunning mosaics, stained glass windows and series of paintings illustrating Old Testament subjects, including the Song of Songs.
Jewish Provence
In the 14th century, the countryisde
of Provence became the home of many Jewish who were exiled from the Kingdom of
France by Philip the fair and Charles VI.
When Provence became part of France in 1481, the Jews found refuge in Provence -
Avignon and the Comtat Venaissin. See Jewish quarter in Avignon and if for
kosher wine of Chateaneuf du Pape. Carpentras is the oldest synagogue in France,
founded in 1741. Aix de Provence. has interesting medieval Jewish quarter in Rue
Verrene and the Lapidary Museum with Judaica collection. There is also
vibrant Jewish community in Marseilles.
This is just a suggested itinerary for individual a groups. It can be customized based of client's interests.
For more information, see France for Jewish Traveler
Prices are on request, please email number of people, dates, what kind of hotels (deluxe or tourist class) and we will provide you a quote.
Toll-free
877-466-2934. Phone 727-254-4373
email:
info@JewishTravelAgency.com
www.JewishTravelAgency.com
EMCO Travel LLC, DBA Jewish Travel
Agency is registered with State of Florida as Seller of Travel Registration No.
ST36902
California Travel Seller # 2079011-40
Privacy statement