Musée d'Art et d'Histoire du Judaïsme

In the heart of the Marais, you’ll find the Museum of Art and History of Judaism, set in the former Hôtel de Saint-Aignan. Here, you embark on a fascinating journey through Jewish culture, from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. Unique artifacts, centuries-old manuscripts, and even 2,700 original documents about the Dreyfus affair—donated by the family—are on display.

The introduction room highlights the resilience of Jewish identity despite centuries of dispersion. The medieval section presents rare gravestones, manuscripts, and ritual objects. Italian art and tradition come alive through fine furnishings, embroidery, and wedding contracts. A room full of Hanukkah lamps shows how Jewish customs spread globally.

Amsterdam’s story spotlights the integration of Sephardic Jews, while models of synagogues and ritual objects bring Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions to life. Nineteenth-century emancipation is reflected in a vast Dreyfus archive, with letters and photos. The museum’s finale celebrates Jewish artists of the early twentieth century, such as Chagall and Modigliani. In the courtyard, a modern statue of Dreyfus stands for the fight for justice.