Located at 6 Rue du Grand Rabin Joseph Cohen in Bordeaux, France, the Great Synagogue of Bordeaux offers you a deep journey into Sephardic Jewish heritage and resilience. Following centuries of hardship after fleeing the Iberian Peninsula in 1492, Bordeaux's Sephardic community celebrated full emancipation in 1791. While an earlier 1812 Neoclassical synagogue was destroyed by fire, the present grand structure opened its doors in 1882 on a new site as the largest synagogue in France.
When you visit, you will witness a magnificent blend of Romanesque Revival and Byzantine Revival architectural styles created by designers Charles Bruguet, Charles Durand, and Paul Abadie, along with engineering by Gustave Eiffel. As you admire the exterior, notice the twin façade towers—which sparked historical debate for their resemblance to church bell towers—and the majestic sculpture of the Tablets of Stone displaying the Ten Commandments. Tragically, the synagogue served as an internment site during the World War II German occupation before being pillaged, but careful postwar restoration returned the building to its original layout by 1956.
Classified as a monument historique in 1998, this remarkable house of worship stands today as France's largest Sephardic synagogue for you to explore.
What to see at Synagogue
- Architectural design combining Romanesque Revival and Byzantine Revival styles
- Engineering contributions by Gustave Eiffel and design by Charles Bruguet, Charles Durand, and Paul Abadie
- Façade features twin towers and a sculpture of the Tablets of Stone bearing the Ten Commandments
- Historical legacy as the largest Sephardic synagogue in France
- Official status as a French monument historique since July 1998
Visiting tips
Take time to examine the façade's impressive stone tablets and controversial church-like towers, which were originally made possible by public funding and private donations from the Pereire banking family.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Synagogue is easy to reach on Bordeaux’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Basilica of St. Michael, Bordeaux. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Bordeaux travel guide.
See the full Bordeaux travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.