Troyes Celebrates European Heritage Label for Rashi Legacy
On 30 April 2026, the city of Troyes marked a major cultural milestone with the celebration of the European Heritage Label awarded to the project “Rachi de Troyes, lieu de mémoire européen” (Rashi of Troyes, space of European memory). The ceremony, held at the City Hall, brought together institutional representatives, cultural actors and members of the Jewish community to honour the legacy of the famous exegete.
Mayor François Baroin highlighted the collective effort behind this achievement, emphasising the importance of recognising Jewish heritage as a shared European inheritance. Among the speakers, Haïm Korsia reflected on the enduring relevance of Rashi (1040–1105), whose commentaries on the Torah remain essential to its understanding. He also underlined the role such initiatives play in combating prejudice and fostering dialogue.
This celebration follows the official awarding of the European Heritage Label on 25 February 2026, under the name “Rashi of Troyes, European Place of Remembrance.” More than an honorary distinction, the label affirms the profound European significance of Rashi’s intellectual and spiritual legacy.
For AEPJ, this recognition represents the culmination of years of dedicated work and collective commitment. The Medieval Route of Rashi in Champagne is an integral part of the European Routes of Jewish Heritage, a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe and one of AEPJ’s flagship programmes. The organisation warmly congratulates the Public Interest Group Rachi Troyes and Aube in the Grand Est Region and all partners involved in this collective success.
Delphine Yagüe, Director of the Public Interest Group Rachi Troyes and Aube in the Grand Est Region (left), and François Moyse, President of AEPJ (right)
AEPJ also wishes to acknowledge the outstanding contribution of Delphine Yagüe, whose work as the developer and manager of the Medieval Route of Rashi in Champagne has been instrumental in achieving this recognition. As the Director of the Public Interest Group Rachi Troyes and Aube in the Grand Est Region, Delphine has been responsible for leading the application of “Rashi of Troyes, a place of European memory” for the European Heritage Label, awarded in February 2026.
The President of AEPJ, François Moyse, attended the event and met with local stakeholders, expressing hopes for further development of Jewish heritage in the region and its continued integration into European cultural initiatives.
During his visit, Moyse was given a private tour of the Rashi House, located in the historic centre of Troyes. This remarkable museum and cultural space, a landmark of the Medieval Route of Rashi in Champagne, offers an immersive journey into the life and legacy of Rashi, combining historical reconstruction with contemporary museography. From its recreated interiors to its synagogue, stained glass windows, and extensive library of Talmudic works featuring Rashi’s commentaries in multiple languages, the site stands as a unique centre of memory and learning.
The synagogye in Rashi House
