Mémorial de la Shoah

About the museum

The Centre de documentation juive contemporaine (CDJC) was founded in April 1943 in Grenoble by Isaac Schneersohn and Léon Poliakov, to gather evidence of the destruction of the Jews of Europe. It then moved to Paris, to the Marais district, rue Geoffroy-l’Asnier. In 1957 a crypt was created to house the Tomb of the Unknown Jewish Martyr, which contains ashes of victims from the camps and the Warsaw ghetto.

In 2005 the site was renamed Mémorial de la Shoah and the museum opened its doors. The Mur des Noms, inaugurated the same year, bears the names of 75,568 Jews deported from France, including 11,400 children. It was fully renovated and corrected, then reopened in January 2020. The building has been a listed historic monument since 1992.

The Mémorial combines a museum with a permanent exhibition, rooms for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, a bookshop and a large documentation centre with an extensive archive. It also offers educational activities for pupils and teachers. An annex opened in 2012 on the site of the former Drancy camp.

Highlights

• Mur des Noms, the wall of names of the Jews deported from France
• Crypt with the Tomb of the Unknown Jewish Martyr
• Permanent exhibition on the history of the Jews in France during the Second World War
• Children’s memorial with about 3,000 photographs
• Mur des Justes and documentation centre

Permanent exhibitions

• Exposition permanente – Historical route on the persecution and deportation of the Jews in France during the Second World War.
• Mur des Noms – Outdoor wall bearing the names of 75,568 Jews deported from France, arranged by year and in alphabetical order.

Founded

2005

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission without booking for individual visitors, including to the temporary exhibitions. Groups must book, even for a free visit.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Mémorial states that it offers access facilities for visitors with disabilities, but no details are published on its practical information page.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kidsRecommended for ages 8+

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The permanent exhibition route is adapted for children aged 8 to 12, with an accompanying booklet. The Mémorial warns that some remarks or images may upset younger children. Family guided tours and children’s workshops by reservation; the website “Le Grenier de Sarah” helps with preparing the visit.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check

Bookshop open Sunday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, a “Pause café” area and a cloakroom.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit