In the Marais is an old Jewish Quarter although it is mainly only one street, Rue de Rosiers, that people visit. I think it is probably quickly losing its ancient feel and becoming modern as there are now a few fashionable shops there but it is still fascinating to visit.

There are several bakeries that always draw my eye. I love the look of this bread. There are also fabulous looking desserts that I haven’t tried yet but I have had a few sandwiches on bagels that were great.

There are many falafal places on Rue de Rosiers. This is the best one according to clients I’ve had there before. A falafal is pita bread stuffed with mainly shredded cabbage and fried balls of chickpeas. It’s very good. The one with chicken is even better. This place is always crowded and people are always in line outside to get their falafel to go.

It’s hard to tell, but this sign is on a shop that also sells falafal. I think the shop must have started as something else. Maybe mexican food?

This store, Goldenbergs, is a very famous and well-known Jewish delicatessen. It was started by a Jewish refuge from Hungary so they have Hungarian dishes in the restaurant in the back such as Hungarian goulash and Beef Stroganoff, both of which are very good. The place has recently changed ownership after being in the family for years but they have kept the menu the same. It was closed for renovation last week and I am wondering what changes they will be making. In 1982 there was a shooting(probably anti-Jewish) in which 6 people were killed. They never caught who did it. There is still a bullet hole in a wall there and a plaque on the wall listing the victims.

This is a tiny little Jewish synogogue down a side street. Rather interesting looking. I once had a male Jewish client invited to some sort of religious ceremony as we stood on Rue de Rosiers. His wife and I stood there with no invitation. I thought, “What are we, invisible?” I think probably just unimportant to very religious Jewish men.