Mémorial de la Shoah (Shoah Memorial)

The Basics

Located on the site of the Memorial to the Unknown Jewish Martyr, the Mémorial de la Shoah is a museum and archival center dedicated to the many victims—both French and international—of the Holocaust. The museum’s exhibition spaces broadly examine World War II’s horrors and also follow individual stories, while installations like the Wall of Names (which lists the names of the roughly 76,000 French Jews who were murdered by the Nazis) and the Wall of the Righteous (dedicated to those who worked to save Jews during WWII) serve as powerful commemorative monuments. The Mémorial de la Shoah is also home to the Memorial Crypt, which dates to 1957 and houses the remains of Holocaust victims.

This somber and affecting museum can be explored independently; it is also a frequent stop during Jewish-themed walking tours of the Marais district.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Mémorial de la Shoah is fully accessible to visitors with limited mobility.

• On-site educational resources are available in the multimedia learning center, reading rooms, and bookstore.

• The museum is free to visit, barring select special events.

• Free guided tours are held in French every Sunday at 3pm. Free English tours are conducted on the second Sunday of each month.

How to Get There

The centrally located Mémorial de la Shoah can be reached via numerous forms of transportation. Take Métro line 1 to Saint-Paul or line 1 or 11 to Hôtel de Ville. Bus lines 67, 69, 76, and 96 also serve the museum. Alternatively, the landmark can be reached on foot, by car, or by Vélib’ bike.

When to Get There

The Mémorial de la Shoah is open daily except on Saturdays, from 10am to 6pm; the museum is also open until 10pm on Thursday evenings. It is closed on January 1, May 1, June 12, July 14, August 15, and December 25, and is also closed for major Jewish holidays, the dates of which vary year to year.

Special Events at the Mémorial de la Shoah

In addition to its temporary exhibitions, the museum hosts a wide range of multimedia events, including concerts, visiting-author readings, film screenings, talks, and commemorations.

Ways to explore

The museum broadly examines World War II’s horrors and also follows individual stories. Installations serve as powerful commemorative monuments, including the Wall of Names, which lists the names of the roughly 76,000 French Jews who were murdered by the Nazis, and the Wall of the Righteous, dedicated to those who risked their lives to help. The museum is also home to the Memorial Crypt, which houses the remains of Holocaust victims.

This somber and affecting museum can be explored independently; it’s also a frequent stop during Jewish-themed walking tours of the Marais district.

Accessibility

The museum is accessible to wheelchairs, with accessible entrances, lifts, and restrooms.

Age limits

None, though parental discretion is advised

What to pack

Kleenex

What to wear

Layers (smart-casual to suit Paris), comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Pets, selfie sticks and tripods, disruptive behavior

Amenities

Restrooms, free guided tours in summer, bookstore

Address

Steps from the Seine and across from Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Memorial de la Shoah is right in Paris’ buzzy core. It’s a fitting complement to any Marais or Jewish history tour.

Driving

Avoid driving in Central Paris, if you can: There’s tons of traffic, traffic regulations (the city is trying to reduce congestion), parking is incredibly limited—you get the picture. If you must drive, there are a few paid parking garages within the district.

Public transportation

This is the way to go. Take metro Line 1 to Saint-Paul or Hôtel de Ville, or Line 7 to Pont-Marie.

Best times to visit

Morning hours typically offer a quieter, more meaningful experience.

Best days to visit

Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends, and Thursdays offer late nights. The museum is closed on Mondays.

Best months to visit

March to May and September to November all offer pleasant weather and fewer tourists than in peak summer.

Special events

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is on January 27, and the memorial often offers special programming.