A Solemn Visit To Shoah Memorial, Paris

A Solemn Visit To Shoah Memorial, Paris
Audrey
Audrey 
Published
| 2 min read

Like so many other countries in Europe, France committed terrible acts towards the Jewish population during World War II. From taxing them more heavily than the rest of the population to downright expelling them from the territory, France has a lot of misdeeds to atone for. Although its acts were unthinkable, the French government has made efforts to compensate for these atrocities. In particular, the Shoah Memorial was created as a documentation center for Jewish history, as well as a site of remembrance. This memorial includes artifacts, historical documents, and explanations related to the lives of deported French Jews during the Holocaust. This visit is a solemn one, but an incredibly necessary one as well.

Educate yourself about the horrors of the Holocaust

Permanent exhibition

Paris’ Shoah Memorial is the largest of its kind in Europe. It features guided tours and temporary exhibitions in addition to its permanent collection. During your visit you can learn about the lives of Jews in France during World War II through a variety of media such as films, artifacts, and informative panels. The memorial is laid out in both chronological and thematic order, making the visit informative and incredibly easy to follow. Themes include the lives of Jews prior to World War II, the perception of Nazism in France, the labor camps, and the liberation. The visit is poignant and will certainly leave a mark on every visitor.

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Do research at the documentation center

Documents dating to WWII

For visitors who are interested in doing more in-depth research or who are searching for information about family members, Paris’ Shoah Memorial hosts an impressive documentation center. Their archives are made up of 40 million documents including pictures, newspaper articles, and official documents.

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Pay homage to the fallen Jews

The Wall of Names

In addition to being a museum and a documentation center, Paris’ Shoah Memorial is also a place for the public to come to pay their respects to all of the Jews who were senselessly killed during the Holocaust. Outside of the building, take a few minutes to study Le Mur des Noms (The Wall of Names). Here visitors will find the names of 76,000 Jews deported from France. Among this list there are the names of 11,400 children. The wall is constructed from slabs of rock from Jerusalem, a feature that adds to the somber atmosphere. The names are organized alphabetically as well as by year of deportation, making finding the names of loved ones easier for visitors. Visitors are encouraged to leave flowers and candles in remembrance of all those who lost their lives.

In addition to the Wall of Names, the Shoah Memorial also hosts a crypt. The crypt is in the shape of the Star of David and is dedicated to all of the unidentified Jews who were killed. An eternal flame burns in their memory. Inside it contains ashes and soil from Israel.

Visit Paris’ Shoah memorial for a life-changing experience

This visit, more than anything, is emotional. During the course of your visit, you will learn about history, culture, and politics. You’ll see government documents detailing various atrocities and you’ll hear Holocaust survivors detail the terrors they endured. Although the content is distressing, take a moment to be thankful for all the work that historians have accomplished in order to right the wrongs of the past. When you leave, take some time to explore the Marais neighborhood (the area where the memorial is located). This neighborhood has historically hosted Paris’ Jewish population and is still the best place in the city to experience Jewish art, culture, and food.

The Shoah Memorial is open every day except Saturday from 10.00 AM to 6.00 PM. It is open until 10.00 PM on Thursdays. Entrance is free. To reach the Shoah Memorial, take subway line 1 and get off at stop Hôtel de Ville.

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Audrey is a 25-year-old American living in South Korea and teaching English. She lived in Paris for two years as a French language student and au pair. During that time she also mastered the art...Read more

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