Jewish cemeteries in Bordeaux, Jewish cemetery in Bordeaux, France

The Jewish cemeteries of Bordeaux consist of three separate sites at Cours de la Marne, Cours de l'Yser, and Rue Sauteyron featuring traditional rectangular grave markers and Hebrew inscriptions. The graves display the burial practices of an established community with carefully arranged rows and detailed stone markers.

The cemeteries were founded in 1724 when David Gradis purchased land for the first Jewish burial ground at Cours de la Marne. This early establishment reflects the growing Jewish presence in the city during the 18th century.

The grave markers display epitaphs in Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew, reflecting the diverse origins of Bordeaux's Jewish community from different European backgrounds. This linguistic variety on the stones tells the story of people who arrived from various parts of Europe.

The cemetery at Cours de l'Yser remains active and open to visitors and community members. Keep in mind that this is a place of respect, so appropriate behavior and attire are expected.

The Cours de la Marne cemetery closed in 1911 after the War Ministry expropriated a third of its land; the community moved the bones to Cours de l'Yser, but the remaining tombstones stayed in place. The oldest recorded grave is that of Machaelle Lamegue, aged 95, buried on 29 December 1724, though a cartel names Ishac Pérès (March 1725) as the earliest figured stone.