Synagogue in Metz

The Metz Synagogue stands at the heart of the French city of Metz, on rue du Rabbin Elie Bloch, and ranks among the country's most historically significant Jewish heritage sites.

How do you get there?

The synagogue sits in the historic old town, a short walk from Metz-Ville train station and close to Saint-Étienne Cathedral. The narrow streets of the surrounding quarter are best explored on foot or by local bus, since street parking in this part of the centre is limited.

What will you see?

The building standing today was raised between 1848 and 1850 by architects Nicolas-Maurice Derobe and Jean-Jacques-Charles Gautiez in a neo-Romanesque style. Its imposing limestone façade, with three sets of double doors, was designed to give the Jewish community of Metz a visible, dignified presence in the cityscape. The synagogue follows a rectangular plan with pavilions marking each corner, a slate roof over the main hall, and zinc sheeting covering the side aisles. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1984, and between 2021 and 2023 it underwent a major restoration costing €2.3 million, supported by the Fondation du patrimoine and the Edmond J. Safra Foundation.

The Jewish presence in Metz long predates the current building — Jews are documented in the city as early as the 9th century. A first synagogue went up on this very spot in 1609 (some sources say 1619). It was here, in 1657, that a nineteen-year-old King Louis XIV, accompanied by his younger brother the Duke of Anjou, stepped inside to see the synagogue for himself — the first time a reigning French monarch had ever entered a Jewish house of worship. A second, larger synagogue followed in 1716, complete with a Talmudic school led by respected rabbis, among them Shaagas Aryeh. By the time the local consistory decided in 1839 to build an even grander replacement, the Jewish community of Metz numbered around 2,400 people (as recorded in 1842), making it one of the largest in France at the time.

When should you visit?

The exterior can be viewed at any time without booking, but stepping inside requires a guided tour arranged in advance; these visits are free of charge and are also offered in English and German. The site is partially accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. September is a particularly good time to come, as the synagogue hosts events during the European Days of Jewish Culture, held annually across Lorraine.

Good to know

The Metz Synagogue is more than an architectural landmark — it is a living symbol of one of France's oldest Jewish communities, rooted in the same spot since the early 17th century. A visit pairs naturally with a walk to nearby Saint-Étienne Cathedral and the surrounding streets of the former Jewish quarter.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the synagogue? Only as part of a guided tour booked in advance; there is no unaccompanied access to the interior, though the façade can be admired from the street at any time.

Is a visit free? Yes, visits cost nothing, but guided tours must be reserved beforehand by phone or email.

Why is it called the "Consistorial Synagogue"? The building was overseen by the local Jewish consistory, the community's administrative body, which decided in 1839 to erect a new, larger synagogue on the site of its predecessors.

Is the synagogue a protected heritage site? Yes, it has been listed as a French historic monument since 1984 and underwent a full restoration between 2021 and 2023.