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Since the years 1750, Jews belonging to the Portuguese rite and coming from Bordeaux and Saint-Esprit (Bayonne) settled in Paris. In spite of the restrictive measures set by the Ancient Regime, they become more and more numerous, and as early as 1770, a small oratory was founded in the Odeon quarter. They were a minority since they made up 10 % of the community, and they were a separate group with its own traditions and values inherited from the Sephardic world. That is why they saw to it that their identity be preserved facing their Ashkenazi coreligionists, and this explains the numerous tensions with the Consistory during the 19th century. Aiming at the maintaining of their independancy, they created a civil society in order to build a synagogue belonging to the Sephardic rite. Many benefactors from the Mediterranean surroundings agree with this project, and in 1877, the Buffault temple was opened. Since that time, even if there are no more Portuguese Jews, their traditions are still maintained in this synagogue.