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A place of remembrance dedicated to teaching fraternity and respect for others, and fighting discrimination.
The only major French internment and deportation camp still intact, the Les Milles camp has been a Museum of History and Human Sciences since 2012, an innovative place for history and reflection. A historical heritage in two senses of the word, since it was also a tile factory that contributed to the region's industrial boom. At the end of 1939, the building was requisitioned by the Third Republic to house people from enemy countries, including great artists such as Max Ernst (many of whom continued to create), intellectuals, scientists (including two Nobel Prize winners) and journalists who had taken refuge in France.
In 1940, the Vichy government turned it into a transit camp, where some thirty different nationalities lived side by side in extremely difficult conditions. Thousands of so-called "undesirables" overcrowded the camp.
In the summer of 1942, Pétain handed over to the Nazis the Jews presented as "foreigners" from the unoccupied zone, including the children they had not claimed. The Les Milles camp became a deportation camp for 2,000 Jewish men, women and children, who were transferred to Auschwitz, where a programmed death awaited them.
The exhibition is divided into three parts. The first is devoted to the history of these tragic events. The second, full of emotion, is devoted to a 15,000m2 tour of the internment sites. Testimonies, videos and documents complete the tour. We discover, intact, the traces left by the internees, notably the large murals covering the walls of the guards' refectory.
The third part focuses on civic reflection, in an attempt to understand the human mechanisms that can lead to mass crimes, based on an analysis of the Holocaust, but also of the Armenian and Rwandan genocides, and above all in today's society. This part of the exhibition questions our individual and collective functioning, raises awareness and shows the diversity of possible forms of resistance. The visit concludes with the national exhibition on deported Jewish children in France, curated by Serge Klarsfeld, and the Allée des Justes, leading to the wagon of remembrance on the tracks leading to Auschwitz.
The Site-mémorial is a place of remembrance and education in citizenship, with an interactive and educational museographical tour, workshops and conferences, a museum for the whole family.
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Opening time and information on CAMP OF A THOUSAND MEMORIAL SITE
Open all year round. Open from 10am to 7pm (ticket office closes at 5.30pm) except 01/01, 01/05 and 25/12. Free admission for children under 9. Adults: €14 (reduced rate €11: children aged 9 to 18, students under 25, unemployed, seniors over 65, teachers, disabled persons, special offers: City Pass Aix-en-Provence, Pass My Provence and CJeune Provence). Reservations required - [email protected]. Free admission: RSA recipients, veterans, teachers preparing a visit to the Site-mémorial, press card holders. Special offers: City Pass Aix-en-Provence, Pass My Provence and CJeune Provence. Children welcome. Guided tour (10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily during school vacations and Saturday and Sunday outside school vacations) Duration 2 hours multilingual audioguides. Museum tour 6€ Exhibition 2€ Family pass includes admission and guided tours 56€). Gift store. Bookshop. Cultural events. Free parking opposite the memorial site. Site accessible for wheelchair users.
Message from Management
The Camp des Milles is a history museum located in a former tile factory in the hamlet of Les Milles, in Aix-en-Provence. Before becoming a museum, this place was a former internment and deportation camp. By visiting this 15,000 m2 site, you will discover testimonies, archives and temporary exhibitions that will take you back into the history of the deportation and genocide of the Jews and the daily life of the victims during the war. In the mural room, works by artists who were interned there and survived, including Max Ernst, Hans Bellmer and Lion Feuchtwanger, are on display. There is also a permanent exhibition on Jewish children deported from France and on the children who were saved. In addition, the foundation provides training to combat racism and anti-Semitism.
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Members' reviews on CAMP OF A THOUSAND MEMORIAL SITE
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
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En bref, je dirais que la visite de ce site n'est pas indispensable.
As for the comment of olifred84, I notice that it begins with questions of money and ends by an allusion on the same floor... There is however part of free access to the Memorial, the entrance fee for the rest are lower than the prices of a good cinema, and we found that of the very reasonable mediation for more than two hours exciting... Even reinforced security Vigipirate is view by this comment under the same corner while that means especially that still extremists can strike such a place of memory... I find these extortionate references and insulting for the old resistance fighters and deportees who rama during I do not know how many years to create this Memorial finally recently. Does the author of the comment have the least idea of what is necessary to such an associative place to ensure its balance in the budget? Did you say "dubious"...?
In any case, we will come back with friends to enjoy again from such a fascinating place which causes as many offices and reflections. And also to support this beautiful site-memorial!
Après on a une visite au pas de course où les guides (deux visites en même temps) sont obligés de donner de la voix pour se faire entendre car l'isolation est déplorable et les films continuent de passer alors qu'ils parlent.
Les explications sont généralement inutiles et il n'y a rien sur l'aspect industriel qui est pourtant le décor unique que l'on nous donne à voir et qui mériterait un minimum de précisions . En évitant la reconstitution les créateurs ont voulu jouer sur l'émotion pure mais la guide finit par nous dire que finalement les internés n'étaient pas si mal que ça dans ces lieux car pendant une période ils y ont été protégés. Un peu maladroit.
Et pour la maladresse la fin de la visite est un sommet. On nous amène à une présentation doucereuse des génocides et à une théorie unique qui veut faire de l'individu le seul responsable et donc le coupable de ces massacres. On nous serine pendant un temps un peu long ce qu'il faut faire et ne pas faire, comme à des enfants (y aurait-il un discours unique pour tous les visiteurs). Alors qu'il est évident que tous les gens présents savent déjà comment ça fonctionne.
Cette idéologie larvée et aux explications parcellaires finit de rendre l'entreprise douteuse.
Si vous avez visité le Mémorial de Shirmeck passez votre chemin, vous n'apprendrez rien et vous aurez la désagréable impression de perdre votre temps et votre argent, même si ce sujet est tabou dans ce contexte.