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Origin and history

The Great Synagogue of Marseille, also known as the Breteuil Synagogue - Beth Yossef, built in the second half of the 19th century to meet the needs of a growing Jewish community. The first stone was laid on 15 July 1863, and the inauguration took place on 22 September 1864. Designed by architect Nathan Salomon, it has a unique Romano-Byzantine style, with a monumental façade decorated with a rosette and Tables of the Law. The richly decorated interior includes 1,200 seats, a still functional 1900 organ, and a central wooden stage offered in 1889 for the centenary of the French Revolution.

During the Second World War, the synagogue remained intact despite the bombings, although its stained glass had to be replaced. A Wall of Names, commemorating the deported Jews, is installed in the lower courtyard. In 2018, she was named in honour of Joseph Haim Sitruk, former rabbi of Marseilles, marking her importance to the local Jewish community.

Today, the synagogue hosts daily services, religious holidays and community events such as weddings or Bar Mitzvah. It is also open to visits, highlighting its role both cultural and heritage. Its architecture, combining Eastern and Western influences, and its history linked to the Jewish community of Marseille make it an emblematic monument of the city.

The construction of the synagogue was made possible thanks to an subscription launched in 1855 by the Consistory, due to the dilapidation of the previous temple on Rue de Grignan. Nathan Salomon's plans, adopted in 1860, provided for a basilical building with women's stands, reflecting the religious practices of the time. The synagogue, classified as a historical monument in 2007, remains a symbol of the Jewish presence in Marseilles since the early 19th century.

The organ, dated 1900, is still used during ceremonies, especially weddings. The stained glass windows, replaced after the war, illuminate the interior in shimmering colors, while the exceptional acoustics of the room is underlined by its height under ceiling. The synagogue also houses religious teaching rooms, now reassigned, and a memorial wall recalling deportations during the Holocaust.

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