Inaugurated in late 2015, the Rivesaltes Camp Memorial stands amid the remnants of barracks that bore witness to the fate of over 60,000 individuals. This site, etched with the weight of history, uniquely reflects the profound upheavals of the 20th century, including the Spanish Civil War, the Second World War, and the wars of decolonization.
The Memorial is dedicated to fostering historical awareness through exhibitions, a scientific program, and educational and cultural initiatives, with a particular focus on engaging younger audiences. By incorporating art and culture, it offers a nuanced perspective on history and collective memory. The Memorial is housed in a striking building designed by Rudy Ricciotti, which earned him the prestigious Equerre d’Argent prize.
Project Background
The Memorial is the result of several years of scientific and political coordination, rooted in education and memorial heritage, regarding the Rivesaltes Camp and its history.
In 1997, the discovery of camp archives in a Perpignan waste processing centre, containing information about Jewish internees and their deportation, caused much consternation. Not long after, the writer Claude Delmas and a teacher, Claude Vauchez, launched a national petition to raise awareness about the history of the camp and to take action to prevent its destruction.
Serge Klarsfeld was entrusted with activating national networks. Simone Veil, Robert Badinter, Claude Simon and Edgar Morin all added their signatures to the petition. The then newly elected president of the General Council of Pyrénées-Orientales, Christian Bourquin, pledged to protect the site (F block), which was listed as a Historical Monument in 2000.
The Memorial project, sponsored by Robert Badinter, took on a new dimension when the architect Rudy Ricciotti was awarded the architectural tender in 2006. The works began in 2012 and lasted three years. The 2015 inauguration was attended by the then French prime minister, Manuel Valls.