Jewish à la Paris

Paris is one of the most Jewish cities I have visited. After New York City and Jerusalem, it's a city where I most saw guys wearing kippahs and synagogues marked all over the town map. And, well, what do you know! My observation was spot on, as France has the largest Jewish population in Europe and 3rd largest in the world - after Israel and the United States. Makes a lot of sense.

In addition to the Memorial de la Shoah and Musée d'art et d'histoire du Judaïsme (the latter one saved for my next visit), there is a neighborhood in Paris that has the nickname of being the Jewish Quarters. Being a novice in the city, I thought it must be the area where all the synagogues seem to have gathered. I was ready with my phone to snap photos... But there was nothing Jewish about the area and even the synagogues were not visible to my shiksa eye.

Running through my facts with some locals, I was enlightened that the Jewish quarters are actually the area of Le Marais, spread across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements of Paris.

Go here!

So, what "Jewish" can you find in Le Marais? Jews settled in the region over 600 years ago, so no wonder Hebrew letters decorate the windows of many establishments there. I ventured a bookshop but to my misfortune, the books were either in Hebrew or French. The topics would have been interesting but with my language skills I wouldn't have been able to read them. Then, there was a falafel place, of course, and lots of them to choose from. This is the part of Paris where you can find one of those authentic, delicious falafels that you just wanna sink your teeth in and come back up for air with your chin smeared and dripping with tahina. Messy, but so worth it!

In addition there were a lot of Jewish restaurants, serving dishes I have only heard spoken of. Gefilte fish, blintz, knish... You name it, they have it. The delis and bakeries offered also to-go alternatives for those craving for Jewish cuisine and one of the latkes on display found its way to my mouth.

Le Marais isn't all kosher with just Jewish stuff. It is also known as the gay area in Paris and in addition to all the Jewish restaurants and shops, there are trendy boutiques as well. Sounds a lot like Israel - the country is much like this as well: a blend of everything. If you're ever around in Paris, visiting the narrow streets (= this is how Paris used to be) of Le Marais is worthwhile. And needless to say, it would make a perfect Sunday destination. On Saturday, thou shall not bother ;-)!

Random pictures of the Jewish Paris. Chez Hanna? Oui, s'il vous plaît!