Synagogue de Colmar

The Colmar Synagogue is the principal Jewish house of worship in Alsace's Haut-Rhin department and the seat of the local Israelite Consistory and Chief Rabbinate. Standing in the heart of Colmar on rue de la Cigogne, it has anchored the city's Jewish community for close to two centuries.

What is the history behind the synagogue?

Jewish presence in Colmar is documented as far back as the 13th century, but the community was expelled from the city in the 16th century. It only returned during the French Revolution, at first gathering for prayer in a modest oratory set up inside a former farmers' meeting room. A formal building application was filed in 1814, and in 1823 the rabbinate was transferred to Colmar from nearby Wintzenheim, which gave fresh momentum to plans for a permanent synagogue.

Construction ran from 1839 to 1842 on a plot that had previously held a farm. The building was renovated in 1885, and an annex was added in 1936. Its darkest chapter came during the German occupation of the Second World War, when the synagogue was stripped of its religious function and used first as a sales depot, then as a weapons arsenal. It was restored and returned to worship after the war.

What makes the architecture distinctive?

The synagogue was built in the antiquity-inspired style common to the early 19th century, and it is the only synagogue in the region topped with a bell tower — a feature normally associated with churches, making it something of an architectural anomaly. Inside, a rectangular hall with a coffered ceiling encloses a polygonal sanctuary.

What should visitors look for inside?

The focal point is the Holy Ark, framed by a triangular pediment and Ionic columns. A distinctive interior glass pyramid filters natural light into the hall, its beam shifting with the sun's path across the sky to mark the times of daily prayer — a rare fusion of decorative design and liturgical function.

How do you get there, and when is the best time to visit?

The building stands at 3 rue de la Cigogne, in Colmar's historic centre, within walking distance of landmarks such as the La Petite Venise district. Because it remains an active place of worship, the interior is not routinely open to visitors; access is generally limited to special occasions, such as November 2025, when the synagogue opened its doors to the public as part of the "Mardis en religions" series organised by the Communauté Européenne d'Alsace. Checking local tourism listings ahead of a trip is the best way to catch a similar opening.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Colmar synagogue built? Construction took place between 1839 and 1842, though the original building application dates back to 1814.

Can visitors go inside the synagogue? It remains an active place of worship, so public access is mostly limited to occasional open-door events, such as the November "Mardis en religions" series.

What is unusual about the building's architecture? It is the only synagogue in the region with a bell tower, and its interior is lit by a glass pyramid that filters sunlight to mark the times of prayer.

What happened to the synagogue during the Second World War? Under German occupation it was deconsecrated and used as a sales depot and later as an arsenal; after the war it was restored and returned to religious use.