Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue, Paris

The Agoudas Hakehilos Synagogue, also known as the Pavée Synagogue, is a stunning Art Nouveau building located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, originally commissioned by the Agoudas Hakehilos society, a group of Orthodox Jews primarily of Russian origin, to provide a spacious and modernized place for worship.

Designed by Hector Guimard, the architect known for his iconic Paris Metro entrances, the synagogue is his only religious building and his last major project before World War I. In creating the edifice, he employed reinforced concrete frames in tandem with hollow agglomerated stones. Completed in 1914, the synagogue boasts an elongated façade with continuous columns and elongated windows that emphasize its verticality.

The interior is vertically arranged as well, with two levels of galleries on each side of the nave to accommodate the lack of width. The furnishings and decorations are all creations of Guimard, displaying his signature stylized vegetal motifs and triangles. The benches, chandeliers, light fixtures, and cast iron railings are consistent with the ornate embellishments found on the building's façade.

Despite suffering damage during World War II, the synagogue has been restored and is now open to the public.