The Synagogue Buffault is a synagogue in the 9th arrondissement, and a visit to this beautiful religious building is highly recommended.
But first, let's look back at its history. In the 19th century, two Jewish communities of different rites (German and Portuguese) disagreed about the possibility of merging their rites. The German faithful inherited the Synagogue de la Victoire, but the Portuguese Jews needed a new place of worship.
It was therefore decided to build a synagogue to accommodate them, and Stanislas Ferrand was commissioned to draw up the plans. The architect decided to build the new edifice in a Romanesque-Byzantine style, like many Parisian synagogues at the time. He then called on Albert Philippe Le Roy de Bonneville for the interior decoration.
On the outside, a facade formed by two concentric circles, a large Gothic rose window and a pediment topped by the Tables of the Law welcome the curious and the faithful. Inside, the arcades supporting the galleries bear the names of great figures in Jewish history, the ceiling is embellished with four rosettes and the room is illuminated by large chandeliers.
To visit the Buffault Synagogue, you'll need to call ahead and ask to attend a service.
