The Jewish Paris Area with a driver
Introduction to Jewish History of Paris
Paris has welcomed many people from different cultures during the last centuries. But, what is particular with the Jewish people of France, is that they have settled in Paris more than 2000 years ago.
First of all, the Jews of France have been noticed in the central islands, under the Roman Empire, around Notre Dame area.
Today, the Jewish Paris area is located at the Historic heart of the city of Paris. The Jewish neighborhood moved a little bit outside the Parisian walls to a neighborhood called le Marais which literally translates to "the Morass" in English.
Le Marais was once considered as the playground for the aristocracy and a ghetto for the unwanted. It is today a complete part of the historic heart of Paris and it has been transformed by the chic boutiques, the beautiful department stores, and by the city of Paris into a gentrified quarter.
Paved narrow streets, with many medieval houses, aristocracy mansions built during the 17th century, many parks to enjoy with the family and numerous chic restaurants, cafés and bars ... This is the perfect place to explore the old and the new Paris at the same time!
What to see in le Marais
Place des Vosges
First of all, le Marais main attraction is la Place des Vosges. A royal square, with a preserved beautiful architecture, decorated as a textile factory from It was a the 17th century.
This place is very fashionable and very expensive to live in.
The synagogues
Many small and grand synagogues are hidden in le Marais. Sometimes you need to cross appartment building or even a church to access one of those beautiful synagogues. Real jewels of the Marais!
Shops and restaurants
Le marais is very well known for its café culture and shopping. Parisians have the tradition to go there on Sunday to eat an israeli Falafel but also to sit in the the parks and have a nice walk when it is sunny.
Art galleries and street Artists
La Marais is home to many creative artists and designers. They display their art works under Place des Vosges but also in the streets nearby. You can see many creative and absolutely amazing art pieces made by modern artists living in this charming area of Paris.
Transportation to the Jewish Paris
My name is Sam. I offer a drive inside the belly of the Marais. I have a special license that allows to drive you in the historic center, that I know very well.
You can also go to the Jewish Area by Metro Line 1 to the station of Hotel de Ville or Saint Paul station. If you choose the Line 8, make sure to stop at Filles du Calvaire and to enjoy the walk from there to Rue des Rosiers.
Visit the Jewish Paris
If you are visiting the Jewish area of Paris, start by Rue Pavé, where you will see the synagogue built in 1914 by the avant-garde Art Nouveau architect Hector Guimard.
To have a better perspective and more information, you can hire a tour guide like Flora Goldenberg:
a young dynamic guide specialized in the Jewish tours in Paris. She has a license to guide in National museums too where she studied and researched for Jewish sights.
She now offers an amazing Jewish Louvre tour that can be combined with Le Marais walking tour and a Louvre Highlights & Masterpieces that you should see in the biggest museum of the world.
About Flora Goldenberg - Jewish tour guide in Paris
Flora is perfect for this tour: We worked together for years now and she is highly recommended by many visitors and travel agencies.
She is local and she is actually the daughter of Joe Goldenberg, a famous figure of the Jewish Area.
Her tour is very complete : It evolves around the Jewish life, the Jewish Heritage of Paris, a little history about the Jewish presence in Paris, 2000 years ago and of course she talks about the persecutions of Jews by the kings of France, the assimilation of Jews and their many success in the French society, the shah and the liberation of Paris after WWII ...
Flora Goldenberg will introduce you to 2 synagogues that I know very well, and will give you some tasting from the Jewish boutiques in the Pletzl, Rue des Rosiers, where she lives.
Moreover, Flora is eloquent, speaks English perfectly.
Conclusion
The Jewish Paris area is easy to access by car or by metro. It would be nice to include it in your visit in Paris. If you need a very good tour guide for my private car tour of Paris, I can hire Flora or one of her colleagues to join us on the tour.
