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Edit The Pletzl in the Marais
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Today, the Marais has become one of the trendiest districts in Paris, home to artists, writers and the urbane. While the residential community of Jews has decreased, the streets are still bustling with Jewish shops and restaurants. The famous Rue de Rossier is the crown jewel, filled by people going to its numerous synagogues, Jewish bookshops, schools and falafel stands. Although designer clothes stores now compete for rental space with Jewish commerce, and old favorites such as Jo Goldenbergs Delicateseen have now closed, the rue du Rossier has still retained an authentic Jewish charm that has made it a hangout for the local community and a top choice on the list of Jewish heritage streets in Paris. Unfortunately, like other Jewish enclaves, the Marias is also full of rich but tragic history. In the 13th century, the area was better known as La Juiverie, the Jewry, and the community thrived. However, anti-Jewish rioting in Paris led to an expulsion order in 1394 and those who did manage to stay in the city did so secretly. While the Kings of France made their residence in the Louvre, this neighborhood was the glitzy residence of the courtiers and men of influence, but when the court was relocated to Versailles in 1680, the area soon became a squalid overcrowded slum with the mansions carved up into boarding houses. During World War II, much of the neighborhood was roundup with help of the French Police and ultimately sent to death camps. Some of the Jewish families who live here now were able to return from the Nazi camps alive and have their property restored. Various plaques and small memorials in the neighborhood commemorate those whose lives were taken by Nazi barbarism.