Synagogue of Mulhouse

The Synagogue of Mulhouse is a 19th-century Ashkenazi Jewish house of worship standing on rue des Rabbins in the heart of Mulhouse. It is the third synagogue building in the city's history — earlier ones stood on rue du Sauvage (14th century) and rue Sainte-Claire (from 1822). The current structure, built between 1848 and 1849 to a design by architect Jean-Baptiste Schacre, has been listed as a French historical monument since 1984.

How to get there?

The synagogue sits at 2 rue des Rabbins, right in Mulhouse's compact city centre, close to the old town's other landmarks. The district is fully walkable, so the easiest approach is on foot as part of a stroll through the centre — from Mulhouse-Ville train station it's a manageable walk of around fifteen minutes, or a short tram ride.

What will you see?

The building follows the neo-Romanesque style known as Rundbogenstil, popular for religious architecture on both sides of the Rhine in the mid-19th century. Inside, the main nave is finished in white plaster, while the side aisles are built from pink sandstone — a contrast that gives the interior a warm, understated character. The most ornate part of the exterior is the gable facing rue des Rabbins: on the triangular pediment, the Tablets of the Law are topped by an oculus and flanked by two seven-branched menorahs resting on pilasters.

The building's history mirrors the difficult story of the region's Jewish community. Jews began resettling in Mulhouse in 1798, after the city had had no Jewish families since the early 16th century. In 1880 an oratory and living quarters were added to the synagogue. During the Second World War the building was requisitioned by the occupying forces and used to store theatre sets for the municipal theatre; it was only restored and returned to religious use in 1950.

When to visit?

The synagogue remains a living community space rather than a purely historical site, so it's worth keeping that in mind when timing a visit outside prayer services. A stop here pairs naturally with a walk through Mulhouse's historic centre, which offers quiet streets, townhouses from the city's industrial heyday, and several themed museums. Because the building primarily functions as an active place of worship, it's best to check current opening arrangements before planning to go inside.

Frequently asked questions

When was the current Mulhouse synagogue built? The building was constructed between 1848 and 1849 to a design by architect Jean-Baptiste Schacre. It was the third synagogue in the city's history.

What architectural style does it represent? The synagogue was built in the neo-Romanesque Rundbogenstil style typical of mid-19th-century religious architecture in the region, with a stone structure and a richly decorated front gable.

What happened to the synagogue during the Second World War? It was requisitioned by the German occupying forces and used for a time as a storage space for theatre set decorations. It was restored and returned to religious use in 1950.

Is the synagogue a protected historical monument? Yes — it has been listed as a French historical monument since 1984, recognising its architectural and cultural value.