Inside the Hôtel de Saint-Aignan in Paris’s Marais, the MAHJ traces Jewish history and culture through art and objects from France, Europe and North Africa. Its collection spans the Middle Ages to the 20th century, with a particular focus on French and Sephardic Jewish life. Look for religious objects, textiles, manuscripts and paintings, as well as the top-floor Impressionist exhibition. A free English audio guide helps explain the displays, where much of the written interpretation is in French.
A Jewish history museum in the Marais
The Musée d’Art et d’Histoire du Judaïsme, usually called the MAHJ, is housed in the Hôtel de Saint-Aignan, a historic mansion in the Marais. The museum grew from a private association formed in 1948 to preserve Jewish heritage after the Holocaust. Its collection follows Jewish history through religious and cultural objects from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, with material from France, other parts of Europe and North Africa.
The Marais has long been associated with Jewish life in Paris. The museum’s setting connects its collection to that neighbourhood, while the galleries take a wider view of communities and traditions across different regions.
Objects, traditions and changing styles
Religious objects, manuscripts, clothing, paintings, photographs and historical documents help tell the story of Jewish life. The collection gives particular attention to French and Sephardic communities. North African textiles, jewellery and ritual objects show how Jewish decorative arts took different forms across regions.
Displays address ceremonies, religious practice and learning, alongside art and cultural life. Historical subjects include the Dreyfus affair and political conditions before the Second World War. The museum also presents intellectual and cultural contributions through subjects such as music and philosophy. Its account includes difficult periods, but the galleries extend beyond persecution to everyday life, migration and the continuity of Jewish communities.
Planning your visit
The permanent galleries sit alongside temporary exhibitions, which have included subjects such as Marcel Proust and art. There is also an Impressionist exhibition on the top floor. The collection is extensive, so choosing a few objects or themes in advance can help you shape a visit rather than trying to see everything.
A free audio guide is available in English and can help explain objects and displays. Written labels are often in French, so the guide is useful if you do not read French. Allow around an hour and a half for the permanent collection and temporary displays. Admission is free on the first Saturday of the month. The museum also holds concerts, lectures, film screenings and other cultural events.
FAQ
How long does a visit to the MAHJ take?
Allow about 1.5 hours to see the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
Is admission to the MAHJ free?
Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. The usual admission price is not provided here.
Is there an English audio guide?
Yes. A free audio guide in English is available to help explain the displays.
What is the MAHJ collection about?
The museum covers Jewish history and culture through art and objects from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, with a focus on French and Sephardic communities.
