“Why this forbidding concrete structure?” you might ask. This is the Mémorial de la Déportation, de l’Internement et de la Résistance. It stands as a stark reminder of Marseille’s role in World War II. The Mémorial de la Déportation serves as a place to remember those deported. It commemorates those interned and those who resisted.
Located at the foot of Fort Saint-Jean, the Mémorial de la Déportation overlooks the area once tragically destroyed during the war. Inaugurated in 1995, it marked the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the camps. The memorial resides within a blockhouse. The German army built this blockhouse in 1943. It formed part of a defensive line. It was intended to prevent an Allied landing in Provence.
In 2019, the Mémorial de la Déportation underwent a significant renovation. The aim was to better represent Marseille’s unique position during the Second World War. Marseille was a refuge for those in the non-occupied zone. It served as a transit city. Marseille was also a destroyed city and a strategic port city. The Mémorial de la Déportation helps contextualize the policies. It shows the impact of genocidal deportation.
Marseille, in 1940, was still a gateway. It offered a path to freedom for some. Others used it to continue their fight. However, that changed dramatically with its occupation in 1942. By 1943, the Nazi regime labeled Marseille the “canker of Europe.” The city became a focal point for hatred. It targeted foreigners and those deemed undesirable.
The tragic events of January 1943 are a key focus here at the Mémorial de la Déportation. These events unfolded with the collaboration of the Vichy regime. The memorial uses films and testimonies. They document the roundups of Jewish families. They show the evacuation and destruction of the old neighborhoods. The memorial also details the deportations that followed.
Since December 9, 2021, the Mémorial de la Déportation features an exhibition. It’s titled “Résistants une génération oubliée” or “Resistors a forgotten generation”. It explores resistance. It highlights resistance both to the occupation and within the concentration camps. The exhibition showcases eight portraits. These are portraits of deported resistance fighters. It also includes an immersive artistic audiovisual creation.
The Mémorial de la Déportation strives to keep these stories alive. It aims to evolve with new content. The goal is to remain a relevant and dynamic place for remembrance. The Mémorial de la Déportation stands as a powerful reminder. It ensures that the sacrifices and suffering of the past are never forgotten.