Jewish Paris Tour for Families
Welcome to the Marais!
Should we teach young children about brave and perseverant Jews? Yes, please! The Jewish Paris Tour for Families is all about it!
On this Jewish Paris tour for families, we explore historic sites of Jewish importance in central Paris and the Marais. On the walk, I introduce children to the inspiring lives of Jews who lived in Paris for nearly 2000 years. This family tour can be adapted to children ranging in ages from as young as three years old up to teenagers. For young kids I have charming drawings to help connect their imagination with the narrative, as well as an activity booklet that will engage children and help them learn the inspiring true stories of Parisian Jews. As a mother of two teenage girls, I realize how important it is to engage older children in a dialog. Therefore, I pose insightful questions to the teenagers and promote open and honest discussions. I encourage them to learn from the tenacious Jews of Paris, focusing on how they overcame many obstacles over the years, decades and centuries of life in this city.
This is not a Holocaust tour, although I ask parents beforehand if they would like me to cover it. The Paris Jewish community has a long and vibrant story that starts with the Romans and continues to the present day. There are many synagogues, kosher restaurants, observant and secular Jews in the city and I share their stories on this tour.
On the Jewish Paris tour for families, I show you where Jews lived and tell you about their occupations and daily life. Then as we explore the Marais, I describe the main events in the Jewish Paris history and how things changed in parallel with the development of the city. We will finish the tour on the rue des Rosiers, home to the best kosher restaurant in the Marais, also recognized as the best falafel in Paris: L’As du Falafel
It would be my pleasure to share with you and your children the incredible Jewish legacy and achievements on the Jewish Paris history tour for families.
À bientôt!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paris Right Bank / Rive Droite / le Marais?
In French, rive gauche means left bank, rive droite means right bank, and in Paris you can tell which bank is which by following the direction of the river. As you flow with the current of the Seine, you will be travelling through Paris roughly from Southeast to Northwest, along your right-hand side is the right bank, rive droite, which includes the Marais, the Louvre and the Champs Elysée, on the left-hand side is the left bank, rive gauche, which has the Latin Quarter, Invalides, the Champ de Mars and of course, the Eiffel Tower.
What does Le Marais mean?
In French, le marais means the marsh. The reason this neighborhood of Paris is called Le Marais is due to the geography of Paris. The right bank is slightly lower in elevation than the left bank and thousands of years ago, before the right bank was developed, the Seine River often flooded this area and as a result the area was mostly marshland. Over the years, the land was built up and has become one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Paris.
What are 5 amazing things to do with kids in the Marais?
1. Lounge in the beautiful Place des Vosges garden
2. Eat a delicious Jewish baked treat at Babka Zana near Place des Vosges or something more traditionally French at Yann Couvreur on the Rue des Rosiers
3. Scan Invaders, there are a ton in the Marais!
4. Spend some time at the playground at the Square du Temple – Elie Wiesel
5. Eat a crepe at the Breizh Cafe on the Rue du Vieille du Temple and get some ice cream at La Glacerie on the Rue du Temple!