Flora Goldenberg in the Jewish Paris

Welcome to Jewish Paris tours,

My name is Flora Goldenberg,

I am a Parisian Tour Guide.

I specialize in the Jewish Walking tours of Paris. I offer the Original Jewish Walking Tours of my beautiful neighborhood where I live today : Le Marais. 

I am Licensed by the state. I studied Art & History at the Sorbonne University for 5 years.

I tour in Paris museums, monuments and beautiful quarters such as the Louvre, Versailles, musée d’Orsay, Montmartre …

I am born and raised in Paris, in le Marais, the Jewish Quarter of Paris has always been my Home :

I am the grand-daughter of Joseph Goldenberg, owner of a famous restaurant in le Marais.

My family lived in Rue des Rosiers, in the Pletzl of Paris for more than a century. My mother is a professional tour guide as well, she is my inspiration. We share the same passion for Paris, Art, and History.


To contact me : send me an email preferably for the first bookings. I will answer within 24h.

Email : Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com

French : Mes visites guidées en Français  Circle, country, flag, flags, france, france flag, french icon - Download on Iconfinder

Bio : Click here to read my biography as a licensed tour guide in Paris.


My list of the classic Jewish tours & City Tours & some unique ideas for your stay in Paris


 – 1 – The Jewish Walking Tour in Le Marais Neighborhood of Paris 

Duration : 3 Hours – Languages : English  + Español + Deutsch עִברִית + French

We will explore the Jewish Quarter located in the heart of Paris, the “Pletzl”, which has been the center of Jewish life in Paris since the 13th century.

While walking in the paved narrow streets of Le Marais, you will learn about the history of the Jewish communities in Paris, for more than 2000 years. We will talk about the history of the Jews in the Middle ages, when they were persecuted and expelled from the country in 1394. We’ll talk about the time of the French Revolution, and the occupation of Paris during WWII, and you will have the chance to discover some hidden places that only a local can know about.

I organize visits inside the beautiful synagogues of the neighborhood with the help of my local Jewish community.

We will also discover the cute Jewish shops, the Kosher bakeries and Jewish bookstores…

The tour can include a visit of the Holocaust memorial of Paris, located at the end of the tour, in Le Marais.

After the tour, you can stay in Le Marais for lunch, and maybe try the few Kosher Restaurants in the area or the trendy Jewish restaurants (but not Kosher)


Customizing the private tour is possible

Click here to See my Full Profile : Flora Goldenberg - Tour guide in Paris Flora Goldenberg - Full Profile - Jewish Private Tour guide

 Email : Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com 

* Shorter Tour : We can do the short version – 2 hours – with less walking.

* Longer Tour : We can add to the visit the Place des Vosges or the Shoah Memorial

* Full day tour : We can do the Marais tour & a Jewish Louvre tour in the evening with a lunch break together

* Tours are available also in Hebrew, German, Spanish with my trained colleagues : Español + Deutsch עִברִית

* For Families with kids and teenagers : I can tour with a game booklet to interact with children.

* For more Jewish restaurants, or more synagogues: I created a small map for the Jewish Paris

* Driver Services : You can book a safe driver for your airport pick-up, and add a city tour to see Paris highlights with me as your guide.


– 2 – Synagogue tour

The Grand Synagogue of Paris

Duration :  1.5 hours – Small Group Tour – Exclusive with Flora

Discover one of the biggest and most beautiful synagogues in Europe !

The Grand Synagogue of Paris is 150 years old this year, and what better time to discover this incredible building in the center of Paris.
Built under the reign of Emperor Napoleon 3rd, for a Jewish population which was still growing in Paris, the Grand Synagogue of Paris is standing in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, where many Jewish families lived in the 19th century, and where they still live today.
On this tour, we will talk about the French Revolution time, and the rebirth of the Jewish Life in France at this time.
Thanks to the French Revolution, the country became the land of the liberties for the Jews, and many synagogues started to open in France.
By the 19th century, many Jewish wealthy families became so successful that they took a major part in Haussman plans to rebuild Paris, which was transformed in the mid 1850’s, from a medieval city into a modern city. To thank them, the Emperor Napoleon 3rd will offer them a plot in Paris to build a New Grand Synagogue, in the heart of the business economical center of Paris.
Today, this Grand Synagogue also called Victory Synagogue of Paris, is still standing in the center of Paris.
I will tell you many stories about the History of the Victoire Synagogue, in the 19th century, and during WWII. You will hear more about how the synagogue remained active in WWII, the different Jewish personalities who were members of this still active synagogue, as well as many other stories about the Jewish life in the 19th century until today !
Come with us and discover this unique jewel of Jewish Parisian architecture on a unique tour with me !

– 3 – Inside the Shoah Memorials

Private tour of the Holocaust Memorial of Paris

Livia and Flora at the Shoah Memorial monument in Paris

Duration : 2 Hours –  Languages : English  + Deutschעִברִית + Français 

The Shoah Memorial of Paris is located in Le Marais and was inaugurated in 1956.

The Memorial is the Symbol of the transmission of the Shoah memory in France. The inauguration of the new Wall of Names was a national and political event in France.  We use the Memorial to teach History lessons of the Shoah for all school groups coming from all corners of France.

I have the privilege to work part-time as an official guide in the Shoah memorial of Paris. I guide mostly for Students and children every week. Now, with my experience, I also animate workshops for Adults, special guests and donors of the Shoah Foundation.

During the visit, we will see the Wall of Names and many documents, objects and evidence of the Holocaust.

We will take our time to talk about the rise of antisemitism, the WWII, the concentration camps, the occupation of France, the systemic organized deportation of the Jews from France and of course, “The Final Solution”

*The entrance is free for everyone in both memorials, except, for groups of more than 9 people, a reservation fee is required !

Flora Goldenberg in the Shoah Memorial of Paris

Private tour of the Holocaust Memorial of Drancy

Duration : 5 Hours (half day) – Languages : English  + Deutschעִברִית + Français 

Drancy visit with Alix

My colleagues and I are trained by the Shoah Foundation to guide in the Shoah memorial of Drancy. We will show you the moving memory of the crimes committed against the Jews of France, assisted by the Occupied France.

Drancy internment camp was a stop, in north of Paris, to assemble French Jews and political opposition before their deportation to eastern camps of extermination.

This new Shoah Memorial is created in 2012 to provide more details of the persecution of Jews with many documents, letters and personal objects of the French Jewish prisoners.

To go to Drancy, we need transportation : The Train RER, a Cab, a Uber, a Personal Driver or the free Memorial Shuttle departing from Paris. It is at least 40 minutes away from Paris.

It is possible to combine with the #1 Jewish walking tour in le Marais Paris and the Shoah Memorial of Paris, then go to Drancy, and back to Paris center, during a full day with a qualified tour guide and a Private Driver preferably.

The free shuttle to Drancy  departs only on Sundays at 3 pm. Ask me by email for the next departures so I can call the memorial of Paris to check the updates for you. 

*In both Memorials, the tours are highly regulated. Both memorials allows only visitors and tours in the area outside the Memorial. To get a tour inside the Memorial, you will need an official tour guide of the Holocaust Memorial or a visit with Memorial itself. 

*The entrance is free for everyone in both memorials, but, for more than 9 people, a reservation fee (per group) is required by the Memorial Website

 Email : Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com 


– 4 – The Jewish Louvre tour

Duration : 2 Hours –  Languages : English

We will reveal the Jewish hidden gems inside the biggest museum of the World : The Louvre.

This is a special and unique tour. We will make the link between Art Masterpieces of the Louvre to understand the complicated Jewish History of France using Art.

The Louvre is a world-class museum and it is one of the best places to make the link between antiquity civilizations and the History of the Kingdom of Israel and the diaspora to Europe and North Africa. The Jews are also depicted in many paintings of the Louvre and I will help look for them. We will discover the many Jewish artifacts that we found in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Mesopotamia and brought to Paris !

We will not forget to do the classic tour and see the classic masterpieces of the Louvre : the Mona Lisa, the Fortress, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory, the biggest painting of the Louvre … and actually, all the highlights that you can get on a normal tour. 

There are many surprises in the Louvre such as the painting of a Jewish Wedding in Morocco – 1841 next to a painting of Jewish Algerian Women on a Balcony – 1849 (the small painting on my left) by the famous artists Delacroix and Chasseriau.

Flora goldenberg in the Jewish Louvre Tour - Painting of a Jewish Wedding in Morocco nest to the Jewish Algerian Women small painting

We will see the oldest ever mention of Israel, the fascinating story of the Crusader period, we will understand how and why the country was disputed by Syria and Egypt… We will see Jerusalem through the eyes of many painters…

You can cutomize the tour if you want it to be all Jewish (no classic) or to be mixed with Art History and the classics. I can make you skip the waiting Line, thanks to my license, to enjoy more time inside the museum. I will be happy to handle the booking and buying the tickets for you.

*It is best to combine the Jewish Louvre with the #1 Jewish Marais Tour in Paris as they are connected to each other and they are in the same area. The Louvre is only 10 minutes away from le Marais area.

*If you are visiting Paris with kids, I can organize an engaging & kid-friendly Treasure Hunt inside the Louvre for 5-7 and 7-12. The treasure hunt is not around Jewish History but around navigating a big museum, absorbing and memorizing the Louvre Highlights and learning some basic notions to understand Art and Art history while playing detectives. The kids love it. I always do my best to inspire them and to transmit my passion for Art History and for Museums. I will give them small souvenirs and a gift to leave with a nice impression after a rewarding visiting of a museum.


Shabbat in Paris

To enjoy Sabbath in the best conditions in Paris, I can help you with many preparations :

I can deliver to you a heating plaque, made for Shabbat. I help you pre-order shabbat kosher dinners in Paris, and plastic dishes with aluminium trays. There is a possibility for a kosher breakfast & lunch.

I help you find a synagogue according to your stay in Paris.

During the classic tours inside a National Museum, we can avoid the metal detectors, and pre-pay for the tour with a trusted licensed tour guide offering alternative booking options to fit your demand.

It will be my pleasure to help you efficiently, respecting all your needs. Feel free to ask by  Email : Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com .


– 5 – My Special Tours

After 5 years of studies of Art History at the Sorbonne University and a decade of work experience as a Private Guide in Paris, I want to show more of my city than its rich Jewish Heritage.

Come with me to visit the beautiful Art museums, the amazing historical monuments and the Gourmet paradise that Paris city is offering : Louvre, Versailles, Musée d’Orsay, L’Orangerie , the Chocolate tour, the Kosher tour & many more.

a) Jewish Treasure Hunt for Kids

Duration : 3 hours – in le Marais

Transmitting the Memory to our children is very important. To make the tour more engaging for the kids 6-12, I elaborated a kid-friendly Jewish Treasure Hunt in Le Marais.

This open-air scavenger game will teach them about the Jewish Heritage of Paris by looking around for clues, by asking questions and by listening to their guide. We will discover the origins of Jews in France, their amazing History in Europe, and precisely in Paris, following a fun story in the preserved old streets of Le Marais.

The treasure hunt is printed on a colorful booklet with a map.

The game brings the Jewish sights to life. The story makes the tour more interesting and more interactive to kids.

The content is suitable for Jewish families and non-Jewish families who wish to have a nice introduction to the Jewish culture. We will try to talk less about the sad events that punctuated the Jewish History. The objective to transmit the passion for learning about our shared History.

Enjoy a slow paced walk with your children, in the beautiful narrow streets of le Marais, discovering on their own, but also with my help, the History of Paris, our common roots, learning many surprising facts about Paris City construction, learning how to appreciate History, architecture and Art, while having breaks in boutiques and synagogues . We will enjoy few moments to slow down, to listen, to ask questions, to search for the answers by looking around us!

This tour follows the same itinerary as the Classic Jewish Tour of Le Marais number 1 – but adapted to kids from 6 to 12.

You will not miss out on anything from the #1 Jewish tour except for some stories, but is possible to customize the tour privately with the parents.


b) Food tour & Chocolate Lab

Duration : 3 hours

Not Kosher – Behind the scenes – Jewish Sephardi area called “Le Sentier”

Famous for its fabric & textile shops, “Le Sentier” jewish quarter is where the Sephardi Jews settled, as well as the main printing shops and newspapers started in the 19th century.

This is the perfect area, if you want to get a taste of the real Parisian life the way the locals live it.

This food tour will include different visits and tastings:

  1. One is a chocolate shop, where you’ll discover chocolate as an Art and an Experience. (French but Not Kosher)

Each Chocolatier master has his own creative process and artistic style. The chocolate shop that we visit is unique, and become famous for its original creations. It is very rare to find a chocolate laboratory and factory to make the chocolate in a central beautiful quarter. I have developed the tour exclusively with the Artist Chocolatier to show us in private how he makes his own chocolate. It is advised to book with us in advance.

Discover how the old-fashioned artisan chocolatier used to work. You’ll learn how chocolate arrived in France, the story of the cocoa beans and it’s journey to Europe thanks to European Jews. More details on the tour. 

2. As we stroll through the central area, you’ll discover how the Parisians live and shop the best local products of Paris. We will learn how to understand the different hundred types of cheese (100% French but Not Kosher) produced in France and how to choose wine with each cheese, I will give my secrets to buy a good wine (French and Natural wine but it is Not Kosher). We can get inside a bakery to see one of the last bakery ovens in Paris center.

*It is advised to book this local tour in advance with us as the partner boutiques and their owners work exclusively with private clients. The few remaining time slots need to be reserved directly with them.

See the beautiful outdoors markets, the trendy restaurants and crêperies, along with some old and historical places, by walking through the narrow and winding streets of this surprising chic area of Paris : LE SENTIER.


c) Car tour to see all the highlights of Paris

Duration : 4 hours – guide with a private driver + car

This is a driving tour around Paris to see all the monuments and get a feel of the city with a professional driver and a tour guide seated next to you. While we cruise the city, the driver will be at our entire disposal to get off the car and walk.

The comfortable car tour has a classical circuit that we adapt to your desires. We will see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Pyramid, Montmartre, Place des Vosges, Les invalides, La Concorde, Champs Elysée, Arc of Triumph and many more depending on the duration of the tour.

We can hop off the car with me, to take pictures or to go inside a bakery, a monument and even a museum that you desire to see, while the driver awaits for us outside.

We can customize the itinerary with your wishes : The tour guide and the private driver are flexible.


d) Day round-trip from Paris to see the country side of France

Configuration : a safe Driver + comfortable Car + a tour Guide + Pick-up and drop off at your Hotel

Discover the gorgeous French country side on a memorable day trip from Paris. The tour starts from your Paris Hotel at 9.00 am with the tour guide in the car with you.

From Paris,

We can go to Champagne Region with Tastings of Champagne in three famous Houses with a small visit of the Region. There is an old Jewish neighborhood in Champagne region too. We have the keys to see exclusive Jewish sights. More details by email.

We can go to Giverny and see Claude Monet’s House and the pretty flower gardens that he used to paint.

We can go to Versailles and visit the Palace of Versailles and its amazing gardens.

Check here all my ideas for the round trip for a day – departure from Paris Hotel

We will go with Sam, a Professional and Safe driver : read about him here

Visit Normandy’s American Cemetery and the Landing beaches with a top guide.

Visit Normandy American Cemetery

 Email : Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com 


– 6 – Help with your plans by email

You don’t need to book a tour to ask me for help 🙂

You can contact me for quick questions, it is my pleasure to help you.

With my experience and my knowledge of Paris, and especially of the Jewish Quarter of Paris, I will always help you find the answers quickly via email & whatsapp.

If you need help planning your stay, help to check and find kosher and Glatt kosher restaurants, find you a safe and clean private transportation to go visit or even doven in Parisian synagogues and get transfers from Paris airport.

I will be glad to answer you efficiently.

I can help you select and book Hotels & find Kosher Dinners in nice and safe areas in Paris.

Tour Guide Paris - Flora Goldenberg - 2019

See you soon !

Email : Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com 


Contact

Please use my email Flora.Goldenberg@gmail.com  & I will reply within 24h. 

Please expect a little delay during Shabbat in Paris.

Time Difference :

Paris is 6 hours Ahead of New York | When it is 9.am in New York, it is 3.pm in Paris

Paris is 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles | When it is 9.am in Los Angeles, it is 6.pm in Paris

 


My Reviews from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook below :

Paris Tour Guide
Paris Tour Guide
Flora is very understanding in case of a cancellation. She refunded the money very fast with a very polite note. Actually, she is very flexible, working with Flora is always easy, she is a very good communicator and answers her emails fast, she is punctual, her tours are very well designed, our clients love her, her quality and professionalism are outstanding, thank you Flora and good luck and good patience during this year 🙂
Souheil Ben Slimane
Souheil Ben Slimane
Flora Goldenberg answered her email very fast with a lot of professionalism. She specialized in the Jewish walking tour of Paris. She has deep knowledge of her subject and she showed a lot of passion in her grouped tour . It was also amazing to meet people on the tour . Thank you again Flora
Eliav Maayan
Eliav Maayan
Flora answered all our questions very quickly by email. She booked us for the small group tour of le Marais. We shared the experience with 2 other visitors and it felt like a private tour with a real Jewish French guide. We learned a lot about the jewish life in Paris and the jews of France in general. Le Marais has a lot of charm and Flora made it more alive ! thank you again for taking good care of us 😉 It was the highlights of our stay!
Allison Kobasky
Allison Kobasky
I am the owner of a luxury travel agency and it’s one of my greatest missions to find the absolute best tour guides in each city. I feel SO lucky to have discovered Flora - what a gem. From the very first email, I knew Flora would be the perfect fit: she is prompt with her replies, creative in the construction of tours, speaks flawless English and her prices are fair. I love that she is such an accomplished, certified guide as she brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and precise accuracy that cannot be replicated by most guides. Above all, Flora’s people skills are beyond measure. She goes above and beyond to make sure tours and client experience are both flawless and for that, we are especially grateful. If you are looking for a Parisian guide to show you the sites - with a Jewish focus or without - Flora really is the perfect fit. You will not be disappointed!
Sharon Fox
Sharon Fox
Flora planned the perfect trip for us. We were able to see all of the sights we wanted as this was our first trip to France. Iuliana and Ben were great guides and were very entertaining. We highly recommend Flora.
Todd Simon
Todd Simon
The best tour guide in Paris!
Nina Bernstein
Nina Bernstein
I connected with Flora online and knew I wanted her to be our tour guide for me, my daughter, and my 10 year old twin granddaughters. The timing did not work out for us but she connected me with her colleague Ben. We LOVED Ben and were so grateful for him to have been the one (other than Flora) to be our guide. He connected with my family as if we were the only ones in the world he had to devote time to, (and there were 4 other people on our tour.) He presented a LOT of history in a very understandable fashion for the girls, and was always aware that anything he said needed to be absorbed by young people. We then had the pleasure of having Ben join us for lunch and that was amazing. Thanks Ben for a great morning in the Marais!!
Bill Lucas
Bill Lucas
Flora did a GREAT job showing us (two grandparents with a 13 year old granddaughter) the Marais and explaining both its history and that of French Jewry. She has a wonderful demeanor and was a pleasure to be with. Her knowledge was great and easily communicated. And importantly, she paced the tour on a hot day to make it enjoyable. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to get a feel and experience of the area and its history.
Peter Staaf
Peter Staaf
Flora was not available but recommended Cynthia who we toured with for 3 days: Marais, Lourve and Versailles. Our group of six had an amazing experience, Cinthia's knowledge of French history and art was encyclopedic! Flora arranged everything for your tours, made suggestions that were spot on and handled a small glitch with ease. We are not Jewish but the Shoah Memorial brought my family to tears. Thank you Flora!
Marshall Brill
Marshall Brill
Livia was an outstanding guide. We took a Jewish tour of the Paris Marais and the information she provided was extremely thorough and we felt that we learned more in 2 hours than the previous 6 trips we have taken to Paris over the past 5 years.
Allison Kobasky
Allison Kobasky
I am the owner of a luxury travel agency and it’s one of my greatest missions to find the absolute best tour guides in each city. I feel SO lucky to have discovered Flora - what a gem. From the very first email, I knew Flora would be the perfect fit: she is prompt with her replies, creative in the construction of tours, speaks flawless English and her prices are fair. I love that she is such an accomplished, certified guide as she brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and precise accuracy that cannot be replicated by most guides. Above all, Flora’s people skills are beyond measure. She goes above and beyond to make sure tours and client experience are both flawless and for that, we are especially grateful. If you are looking for a Parisian guide to show you the sites - with a Jewish focus or without - Flora really is the perfect fit. You will not be disappointed!
gloria nadler
gloria nadler
This was the best tour we have ever had. Flora was extremely knowledgable and could answer any question we had. If you want an amazing touring experience in Paris go with Flora, she is fabulous!
Ahmed Ben Slimane
Ahmed Ben Slimane
Flora is a very nice person to meet. She is Clearly the type of guide we wanted for our family. The tour is very informative and Insightful. Nothing but great first hand stories and deep knowledge of the culture. Flora knows a lot about Paris and we discovered with my family new secret places during our guided tour in le Marais Paris. Thanks Flora for your tour and your emails and recommendations.
Saul Ben Ayoun
Saul Ben Ayoun
This tour is one of the best Jewish tours I ever had. I always travel and experience a walking tour about Jewish heritage and this one was great ! So Thank you again Flora ! It was really well designed. As a historian I must say that You mastered your subject very very well. When I booked through email you answered me very quickly . Then we met and I had learned a lot . I am going to write about it in my blog as I told you after the tour. See you soon
Saul Ben Ayoun
Saul Ben Ayoun
This tour is one of the best Jewish tours I ever had. I always travel and experience a walking tour about Jewish heritage and this one was great ! So Thank you again Flora ! It was really well designed. As a historian I must say that You mastered your subject very very well. When I booked through email you answered me very quickly . Then we met and I had learned a lot . I am going to write about it in my blog as I told you after the tour. See you soon
Howie Paskowitz
Howie Paskowitz
Flora is extremely knowledgeable about Jewish Paris and Paris in general and helped us plan our entire trip. She had some nice surprises for the kids. She was so flexible and easy to reach in advance. I highly recommend Flora!
Alice Delahaye
Alice Delahaye
Great tour even for non Jewish! I warmly recommend!!! Thank you again for this amazing experience!
Nina Bernstein
Nina Bernstein
I connected with Flora online and knew I wanted her to be our tour guide for me, my daughter, and my 10 year old twin granddaughters. The timing did not work out for us but she connected me with her colleague Ben. We LOVED Ben and were so grateful for him to have been the one (other than Flora) to be our guide. He connected with my family as if we were the only ones in the world he had to devote time to, (and there were 4 other people on our tour.) He presented a LOT of history in a very understandable fashion for the girls, and was always aware that anything he said needed to be absorbed by young people. We then had the pleasure of having Ben join us for lunch and that was amazing. Thanks Ben for a great morning in the Marais!!

More about Flora Goldenberg?

flora goldenberg in front of synagogue pave

Read Flora’s full biography here