(JHE) — The historic synagogue in Carpentras, the oldest active synagogue in France, came in at number seven in a French TV-sponsored competition for “France’s Favorite Monument.”
The Synagogue represented the southern Provence-Alpes-Côté d’Azur region, as one of 14 finalists in the popular-vote competition, each representing one of the regions of France.
The results of what was a two-stage popular vote, via internet and telephone, were announced September 14 in a TV special.
“Our dear monument ranked 7th thanks to your votes!” the Carpentras city web site said. It called it “A magnificent spotlight for this building, its history and especially the life that takes place there.”
Thank you all for your votes, it is thanks to your support that we have arrived so high in this ranking. In any case, what a pleasure to see a report on a monument of Carpentras in prime time!
The winner was the “City of the Sea” — the Art Deco Transatlantic Ocean Liner Terminal, with the decommissioned nuclear submarine the Redoubtable, representing Normandy.
Still used by the Jewish community, the Carpentras synagogue was originally built in 1367. Jews had been expelled from the Kingdom of France in 1306 but found refuge in papal lands, or the Comtat Venaissin, where they were permitted to live in four towns: Carpentras, Cavaillon, Avignon, and l’Isle sur Sorgue.
In the 18th century the synagogue was expanded and its interior was reconstructed in baroque/rococo style, by Antoine D’Allemand, a local architect who carried out other major projects in the town, including its aqueduct. With teal-colored wooden walls, tromp l’oiell painted “marble,” and ornate ironwork, it resembles Italian synagogues of the same period.
The ground floor of the complex includes two mikvehs — one dating from the 18th century, and the other — reached at the bottom of a 10-meter shaft — dating from medieval times.
Here are some more pictures of the synagogue complex:
Read our 2017 post on the synagogue