A historical site for the present
The Rivesaltes Camp Memorial is a place of history and memories, a window onto the contemporary world.
Inaugurated in late 2015, the Rivesaltes Camp Memorial was built amidst the remains of barracks that stood as silent witnesses to the fate of over 60,000 people. The mark left by these events is what makes Rivesaltes a unique site, one that attests to the major upheavals of the 20th century: the Spanish Civil War, the Second World War and the wars of decolonisation.
The Rivesaltes Camp Memorial aims to raise historical awareness through exhibitions, a scientific programme, and educational and cultural initiatives, especially targeted at a young audience. It adopts a receptive approach that uses art and culture to examine history and our collective memory through a different lens. Lastly, the Memorial is housed in a unique building that earned its architect, Rudy Ricciotti, the Equerre d’Argent prize.
DISCOVER
The history of the Rivesaltes Camp is unique in France. Originally used as a military base, the French government later turned it into an internment camp (during the periods 1941-1942, 1945-1948, and 1962-1966). Due to the length of time it operated and given the number of people who were interned, imprisoned or confined there, Rivesaltes is now considered the largest internment camp in Western Europe.
UNDERSTAND
The forced displacement of population groups, the perception of others as “undesirable” and the way in which they were locked up constitute the running theme of the history of the camp and of the people who were interned or confined there. The Memorial looks to the future by questioning the themes which constitute its history, still extremely relevant today.
EXPLORE
“And so, we are led to question our humanity. We see how these collective historical events have left their mark on family histories. A memorial enables us not only to remember the past, the history of this past, but also to make it our own based on our present experience.” Anne Muxel, sociologist and member of the Scientific Committee of the Memorial – quote from video guide “The Voices of the Memorial”.