Synagogue Don Isaac Abravanel

Synagogue Don Isaac Abravanel is one of Paris's notable synagogues, located in the 11th arrondissement on rue Basfroi. It is also known as the Synagogue de la Roquette, named after the neighboring street. This is an Orthodox Jewish congregation following the Sephardi rite, founded in the 1960s by Jews who emigrated to France from Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia during the decolonization of the Maghreb.

What makes this synagogue notable?

The building was designed by architects Alexandre Persitz and Arthur-Georges Héaume and completed in 1962. It was built in a Modernist style — clean lines and functional form typical of postwar religious architecture in France. Unlike the ornate Art Nouveau and eclectic synagogues of early 20th-century Paris (such as those found in the Marais), Don Isaac Abravanel represents a distinct, later chapter of French Jewish history, tied to the wave of Sephardi emigration from North Africa.

The synagogue's name honors Isaac Abravanel, a 15th-century Jewish scholar, philosopher, and diplomat, one of the most celebrated figures of Sephardi intellectual heritage.

How do you get there?

The synagogue sits in the 11th arrondissement, a district known for its quieter streets, local markets, and a mix of residential and commercial life. It's an area well suited to walking, and easy to combine with nearby squares and neighborhood cafés. The metro is the most convenient way to reach the area, with stations in the 11th arrondissement offering quick connections to central Paris and other sights.

When should you visit?

The synagogue serves an active congregation, so visiting mainly makes sense from the outside or through a prearranged visit — it isn't a museum-style site with regular tourist opening hours. If you want to see the interior, it's worth checking with the community in advance, especially around holidays or scheduled events.

Why is it worth seeing?

For anyone interested in French Jewish history and 20th-century religious architecture, Don Isaac Abravanel is a compelling complement to the classic synagogue trail through the Marais. It illustrates a different chapter of that history — the postwar Sephardi migration from North Africa that reshaped the composition of Paris's Jewish community. The building's modernist design also offers a striking contrast to the more ornamental synagogues of earlier eras, making it a point of interest for fans of 20th-century architecture.

Frequently asked questions

Is Synagogue Don Isaac Abravanel the same as the synagogues in the Marais? No. It's a separate building in the 11th arrondissement, unrelated to the historic Marais synagogues. It was built much later, in 1962, and serves a different, Sephardi congregation.

Where does the synagogue's name come from? It's named after Isaac Abravanel, a 15th-century Jewish philosopher and diplomat. The building is also known as the Synagogue de la Roquette, after the nearby street.

Who built this synagogue, and when? It was designed by architects Alexandre Persitz and Arthur-Georges Héaume and completed in 1962 in the Modernist style.

Can visitors go inside? It's an active place of worship for an Orthodox congregation, not a tourist attraction with regular visiting hours. Arranging a visit inside is best done directly with the community beforehand.