The Jewish Marais: A Walk Through the Pletzl, a Self-Guided Paris Walk
2h. 0.9 miles. From Musee d'art et d'histoire du Judaisme to Memorial de la Shoah.
The Marais has been the heart of Jewish Paris for centuries, and the Pletzl still smells of strudel and fresh bagels. This short walk moves from a great museum through the old streets to a memorial that will stay with you. Moving, delicious, and full of life.
The local move
Order a slice of strudel at Finkelsztajn and eat it standing on rue des Rosiers, like the regulars do. Then look up: the old hammam sign and faded shop fronts tell the street's story better than any plaque.
Best time to go
Weekday mornings, when the bakeries are fresh and the streets calm. Friday before sundown is lively.
When to avoid it
Saturday, when much of the quarter closes for Shabbat and the memorial is shut.
The stops
Musee d'art et d'histoire du Judaisme
A beautiful museum of Jewish art and history inside the grand Hotel de Saint-Aignan, founded around a collection saved by Holocaust survivors in 1948.
Tip: An hour is enough for the highlights. The courtyard alone is worth pushing the door.
Sacha Finkelsztajn, La Boutique Jaune
The bright yellow bakery on rue des Rosiers, run by the same family since 1946. Strudel, cheesecake, and bagels the old way.
Tip: Take a number and be patient on weekends. The vatrouchka (cheesecake) is the local order.
Rue des Rosiers
The spine of the Pletzl, where kosher delis and old bookshops share the street with fashion boutiques. L'As du Fallafel's queue tells you where the falafel is.
Tip: If the falafel line is long, the takeaway window moves twice as fast as the tables.
Jardin Joseph-Migneret
A hidden garden reached through a passage off rue des Rosiers, named for the school director who saved dozens of Jewish children during the war.
Tip: The entrance at 35 rue des Rosiers is easy to miss. Quietest spot of the walk, bring your pastry here.
Synagogue de la rue Pavee
An art nouveau synagogue designed in 1913 by Hector Guimard, the man behind the metro entrances, as a tribute to his Jewish wife.
Tip: The interior is rarely open to visitors, but the rippling facade is the point. Step across the street for the full view.
Memorial de la Shoah
France's Holocaust memorial and museum. The Wall of Names lists 76,000 Jews deported from France, and the allee des Justes honors those who hid and saved them.
Tip: Free entry. Give yourself time and quiet after this one; the Seine is two minutes away.
About these walks
This is one of the free self-guided Paris walks written by the Chic Trip team, locals who plan and book full Paris trips for American travelers. Get our free insider Paris guide at chic-trip.com/free-paris-guide, or have us plan your whole trip at chic-trip.com/paris-travel-planner.
