Synagogue of Carpentras, Jewish heritage site in Carpentras, France.

The synagogue of Carpentras stands on Rue de la Muse, its pale gray stone facade pierced by tall arched windows with white multi-paned grids and entered through dark brown double wooden doors. Inside, the first-floor prayer hall has cream walls over marble panels, a dark wooden platform at the front, and a raised wooden reader's desk behind a polished dark wood railing, with a large brass chandelier hanging above.

The building was constructed in 1367 and underwent major reconstruction in the 18th century following disputes with authorities over its dimensions. This redesign shaped the appearance visible to visitors today.

The ground floor opens onto a courtyard with the assembly hall, the women's synagogue, the ritual baths and the bakery. The upper prayer room, rebuilt from 1741, has the Torah ark to the east and the teba, where the officiant reads, to the west; women sat in the grilled galleries.

The building can only be visited by advance arrangement due to limited opening hours. Plan your visit well ahead to ensure access to this classified monument.

In 1793 the synagogue became the meeting hall of the local revolutionary club, and by autumn 1794 its furniture had been removed and sold. When Jews returned in 1800 they found the prayer room bare; part of the decoration was probably recovered and reinstalled during the 19th century.