Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Synagogue of Tours, located at 37 Parmentier Street, was built in 1907 by architect Victor Tondu for the Jewish cult association of the city. Funded thanks to the patronage of Daniel Osiris Iffla, it is inspired by the model of the synagogue of Vincennes, with a sober facade and a richly decorated interior. The complex consists of two buildings: the rabbi's house on the façade and the synagogue itself in retreat, connected by an inner courtyard. Its architectural style combines art nouveau with oriental motifs, while its stained glass windows, made by Pierre Lux Fournier in 1949, add a modern touch to the building.

The synagogue preserves remarkable elements such as a painted ceiling with wooden compartments and a floral frieze imitating a mosaic. After World War II, the women's forum was extended, reflecting the evolution of cultural practices. A commemorative plaque, affixed in 2005, pays tribute to the 34 Justes of the Department of Indre-et-Loire. The building, which has been included in the additional inventory of historical monuments since 1994, remains an active symbol of the Tourangelle Jewish community.

The synagogue rabbinate was performed by several notable figures: Nissim Malka (2010–2015), Ilan Attal (2015–2016), then Itzhak Adam Touati since 2016. These successions illustrate the continued vitality of the place, both religiously and culturally. The synagogue, owned by the Jewish cult association, thus perpetuates its central role in the spiritual and heritage landscape of Tours.

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