Synagogue of Soultz-sous-Forêts

The Synagogue of Soultz-sous-Forêts is a historic house of worship in the Alsatian town of Soultz-sous-Forêts, in the Bas-Rhin department, standing as a testament to more than a century of local Jewish community life.

What is the history behind this synagogue?

The building visitors see today is actually the third synagogue erected on this site. The first was built in 1827, but as the local Jewish community grew, it soon needed a larger space — by 1846 the community counted 415 members, making it the largest Jewish community north of the Haguenau forest. Around 1866, the rabbinate itself was transferred to Soultz-sous-Forêts from nearby Surbourg, underlining the town's growing religious importance in the region.

The older building was demolished in 1897, and the current synagogue rose in its place, built in a neo-Romanesque style typical of religious architecture from the German period in Alsace. It was formally inaugurated on November 5, 1897. A few years earlier, on August 29, 1891, the local Jewish cemetery had already been consecrated, reflecting the continuous religious life of the community leading up to the synagogue's construction.

What happened during and after World War II?

Like many Jewish religious sites across Alsace, the synagogue suffered damage during World War II. It was subsequently restored in 1962, allowing the building to retain its historic form and function. In 1994, by a decree dated August 16, the synagogue was added to France's supplementary inventory of historic monuments, a formal recognition of its architectural and cultural value.

How do you get to the synagogue?

The synagogue stands in the center of Soultz-sous-Forêts, a small town in northern Alsace within the Bas-Rhin department. The town lies along the tourist routes of the Alsace Verte ("Green Alsace") area, which links several smaller historic towns in the region. Traveling by car is the most practical option, as Soultz-sous-Forêts has good road connections to Haguenau and Strasbourg, the main gateways into this part of Alsace.

What will you see on site?

Visitors can admire the building's neo-Romanesque façade, a style commonly seen in synagogues built across Alsace at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Nearby stands the Jewish cemetery consecrated in 1891 — together, the two sites form a small heritage trail dedicated to the history of the local Jewish community, integrated into the town's local discovery paths ("sentiers découverte").

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, when Alsace's mild weather makes the surrounding countryside — including the nearby hills and forests of the Outre-Forêt area — especially pleasant for walking. It is worth checking locally for current access hours, since the synagogue no longer functions as an active place of worship on the scale it once did.

Frequently asked questions

Is the synagogue the original 19th-century building? Yes, the current structure dates from 1897, though it was damaged during World War II and restored in 1962.

How many synagogues existed before this one in Soultz-sous-Forêts? This is the third on the site — the first was built in 1827 and demolished in 1897 when the current, larger building replaced it.

Is the synagogue a legally protected historic monument? Yes, it has been listed on France's supplementary inventory of historic monuments since 1994.

Are there other Jewish heritage sites nearby? Yes, the Jewish cemetery, consecrated in 1891, lies close to the synagogue, and together they form a local heritage trail.