Mémorial du Camp de Rivesaltes

About the museum

The Rivesaltes camp was originally a military camp. The French state used it as a detention site in 1941–1942, from 1945 to 1948, and from 1962 to 1966. More than 60,000 people were interned or relegated there; it is today considered the largest internment camp in Western Europe. It housed Spanish refugees, Jews before their deportation, prisoners, and later harkis and their families after the Algerian War.

In 1997, the discovery of camp archives in a Perpignan waste dump revived awareness of the site, and a national petition prevented its destruction. Block F of the camp has been listed as a historic monument since 2000. Architect Rudy Ricciotti won the competition in 2006 together with the firm Passelac & Roques, and the works ran from 2012 to 2015.

The Memorial opened in October 2015. The 4,000 m² building, 200 metres long, is half-buried on the camp’s former parade ground, among the preserved barracks. It houses the permanent exhibition, rooms for temporary exhibitions, an auditorium, teaching rooms, a café and a bookshop. The exhibition route and the outdoor route can be visited with a visioguide, a multimedia guide called “Les voix du Mémorial”.

Highlights

• Building by Rudy Ricciotti, winner of the Équerre d’argent architecture prize
• Permanent exhibition on a century of internment
• Preserved barracks of Block F, listed as historic monuments
• “Les voix du Mémorial” visioguide in six languages
• Virtual reality experience included with the ticket

Permanent exhibitions

• Exposition permanente du Mémorial – Four themed spaces on administrative internment, the German occupation and liberation, the Algerian War and the harkis, and the “new unwanted” after decolonization.
• Parcours extérieur dans l'îlot F – Route among the preserved barracks of the former camp, with the visioguide.

Founded

2015

Operated by

Établissement public de coopération culturelle (Région Occitanie et Département des Pyrénées-Orientales)

Admission & discounts

The visioguide is included in the ticket. Admission is also free for recipients of social minimum benefits, journalists, teachers preparing a project with the Memorial, witnesses, donors and lenders, patrons, and holders of a laissez-passer. Payment by cash, cheque, ANCV holiday vouchers and bank cards (except American Express).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entire site is accessible to people with reduced mobility. The car park has 10 accessible spaces. The visioguide offers a route in French Sign Language.

Kids & families

Only partly suitable for kids

• Family tours & workshops

Entry free for under 18s. Family visits with a mediator from time to time during school holidays and European Heritage Days. Activities for young people one Wednesday afternoon per month, with educational games and debates. Guided tours and workshops for school groups from age 5.

Getting there & parking

From the A9 motorway, take exit 41 Perpignan-Nord, then the D 12 towards Foix. For a GPS, the nearest point is Avenue Clément Ader in Rivesaltes. A 5.1 km cycle route starts from Rivesaltes. Perpignan airport is about 12 km away. Dogs are allowed outside, on a leash, but not in the building.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café with terrace (light meals: savoury tarts, dishes in jars, desserts) and bookshop with Memorial publications. Covered shelter with 70 seats near the car park for picnics.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 150 guests.

Some spaces can be rented for colloquia, seminars and meetings: an auditorium with 150 seats, three meeting rooms and an open workspace. Catering on request is possible.

Plan your visit