The Jewish presence in Périgueux seems to date back at least to the 13th century, since Jews were expelled in 1302. This is evidenced by the Ancienne juiverie, known as rue Judaïque, located behind the Museum of Périgord.

The contemporary Jewish presence in Périgord is mainly the result of the settlement of Alsatian Jews in the town at the beginning of the Second World War.

A community centre was built in the 1960s, in the wake of the arrival of Jews from North Africa. The synagogue offers services with Ashkenazi and Sephardic rites.

A ceremony to commemorate the round-ups of 23-24 and 27 February 1943 took place in Périgueux on 23 February 2024. To mark the occasion, the town council honoured Resistance fighter Rolph Hammel, who played an active role in rescuing Jewish families during the Holocaust. A plaque was unveiled and the Gymnasium street was officially renamed Rolph Hammel street . During the ceremony, Delphine Labails, Mayor of Périgueux, recalled the career and republican values of this courageous man, founder of the Périgueux Jewish community.

Following the anti-Semitic act of cutting down the tree planted in memory of Ilan Halimi in Epinay-sur-Seine in August 2025, numerous trees were planted in his memory and to mark their involvement in the fight against anti-Semitism, which has been ravaging Europe since 7 October, and the exploitation of conflicts in the Middle East.

Thus, the Jewish community of Périgueux planted an olive tree on 11 September 2025 in the garden of the synagogue, following an organised ceremony. A plaque was also affixed.

Sources: Sud-Ouest, DDV, Licra magazine