Overlooking the bustling port of Marseille, the Memorial des Camps de la Mort stands as a solemn reminder of one of the darkest chapters in the city‘s history. This powerful museum and memorial commemorates the suffering endured by those persecuted by the Nazis during the occupation of Marseille from November 1942 to August 1944.
The Jewish Community in Marseille Before the War
Before the Nazi occupation, Marseille was home to a vibrant and diverse Jewish community that had contributed significantly to the city‘s cultural and economic life. According to historian Renée Dray-Bensousan, the Jewish population of Marseille numbered around 39,000 in 1939, making it the second-largest Jewish community in France after Paris (Dray-Bensousan, 2004).
The Jewish community in Marseille was well-integrated into the city‘s fabric, with many working as merchants, artisans, and professionals. They had established numerous synagogues, schools, and cultural organizations, such as the Alcazar Theatre, which showcased Yiddish productions (Marrus & Paxton, 1995).
Marseille Under Nazi Occupation
The fall of France in June 1940 marked the beginning of a dark period for the Jews of Marseille. The Vichy regime, led by Marshal Philippe Pétain, collaborated with the Nazi occupiers and enacted a series of anti-Jewish measures, including the Statut des Juifs (Jewish Statute) in October 1940. This law defined who was considered Jewish and excluded them from various professions and public life (Poznanski, 1997).
As the persecution intensified, many Jews in Marseille sought to flee the country. The city became a hub for refugee assistance organizations, such as the Centre Américain de Secours (American Relief Center) and the Emergency Rescue Committee, which helped thousands of Jews and other persecuted individuals escape to safety (Subak, 2010).
The Marseille Roundup
The most notorious event during the Nazi occupation of Marseille was the "Marseille roundup" from January 22-24, 1943. This massive operation, planned by SS and police leader Carl Oberg and carried out with the collaboration of the French police under the direction of René Bousquet, targeted the city‘s Old Port district, which had a significant Jewish population (Klarsfeld, 2001).
Using the cover of the Foire du Vieux-Port (Old Port Fair), the Germans and French police checked the identities of 40,000 people over the course of three days. They arrested 2,000 Jews, who were first sent to the Fréjus transit camp before being deported to the Royallieu camp near Compiègne in northern France (Zuccotti, 1993).
From Royallieu, the victims were transported to the notorious Drancy internment camp on the outskirts of Paris, which served as the main transit point for deportations to the extermination camps in the East. The majority of the Jews deported from Marseille perished in the gas chambers of Auschwitz-Birkenau (Klarsfeld, 2001).
The roundup also involved the expulsion of 30,000 residents from the Old Port district before its destruction, further highlighting the brutality of the Nazi occupation and the collaborationist Vichy regime (Mitchell, 2011).
Personal Stories and the Resistance
Behind the staggering numbers and statistics are the individual stories of those affected by the Marseille roundup. One such story is that of the Gimpel family, who lived in the Old Port district. Léon Gimpel, a renowned photographer, and his wife, Elise, were arrested during the roundup and deported to Auschwitz, where they both perished. Their son, Jean, managed to escape and joined the resistance (Klarsfeld, 2001).
The resistance movement in Marseille played a crucial role in helping Jews and other persecuted individuals escape the city. Organizations like the Marcel Network, founded by Catholic priest Père Marie-Benoît, provided false documents and safe passage to Jews seeking to flee to Switzerland or Spain (Subak, 2010).
The Memorial des Camps de la Mort
Inaugurated in 1995 on the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps, the Memorial des Camps de la Mort was established to ensure that the history and memory of the victims of Nazism would never be forgotten. The museum‘s location, overlooking the port of Marseille, serves as a poignant symbol of the city‘s past and its commitment to remembering those who were lost.
Designed by architect Pascal Deloche and artist Michèle Canale, the memorial features a stark, minimalist aesthetic that reflects the gravity of its subject matter. The central element is a large, curved wall inscribed with the names of the concentration and extermination camps where many of Marseille‘s Jews perished (Débordes & Blanc, 2011).
Inside the memorial, visitors are confronted with the harsh realities of the Nazi occupation through a collection of photographs, documents, and moving testimonies from survivors. One particularly poignant exhibit features the suitcases of deported Jews, symbolizing the shattered lives and unfulfilled dreams of the victims (Débordes & Blanc, 2011).
In 2019, the memorial underwent a significant renovation, reopening to the public on December 20 with a renewed focus on the unique history of Marseille during World War II. The updated exhibits provide a more comprehensive and emotionally resonant exploration of this tragic period, ensuring that future generations will continue to learn from the past.
Remembrance and Education
The Memorial des Camps de la Mort plays a vital role in Holocaust remembrance and education, both in France and internationally. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of hatred, intolerance, and indifference, and the importance of standing up against injustice.
Each year, the memorial hosts commemorative events and educational programs, such as guided tours, workshops, and conferences, to engage visitors of all ages and backgrounds. These initiatives aim to foster understanding, empathy, and a commitment to building a more just and peaceful world.
In addition to its educational mission, the memorial also supports ongoing research into the history of the Holocaust and the Jewish experience in Marseille. By preserving and sharing the stories of the victims and survivors, the memorial ensures that their memories will endure and continue to inspire future generations.
Visiting the Memorial des Camps de la Mort
The Memorial des Camps de la Mort, now known as the "Memorial of Deportations," is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Admission is free, and guided tours are available for groups upon reservation.
As you walk through the exhibits, take a moment to reflect on the lives lost and the importance of standing up against hatred and intolerance. The Memorial des Camps de la Mort serves as a powerful reminder that we must never forget the atrocities of the past and must work together to build a future of understanding, compassion, and peace.
Getting There
The memorial is located at Avenue Vaudoyer Entre Lle Musem et L‘église Saint-Laurent, Marseille, France. It is easily accessible by public transportation, with several bus lines stopping nearby.
When visiting Marseille, be sure to include the Memorial des Camps de la Mort in your itinerary. It is a moving and essential experience that will leave a lasting impact on your understanding of the city‘s history and the wider context of World War II.
Conclusion
The Memorial des Camps de la Mort in Marseille stands as a testament to the suffering and resilience of the city‘s Jewish community during the Nazi occupation. By preserving the memory of the victims and educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance, the memorial serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action.
As we reflect on the tragic events of the past, let us also draw strength and inspiration from the stories of those who resisted, survived, and rebuilt their lives in the face of unimaginable adversity. May their courage and determination guide us as we strive to create a world free from the scourge of antisemitism, racism, and persecution.
References
Débordes, J., & Blanc, J. (2011). Le Mémorial des Camps de la Mort de Marseille: Un lieu pour se souvenir. Marseille: Éditions Parenthèses.
Dray-Bensousan, R. (2004). Les Juifs à Marseille (1940-1944). Paris: Les Belles Lettres.
Klarsfeld, S. (2001). Vichy-Auschwitz: Le rôle de Vichy dans la solution finale de la question juive en France. Paris: Fayard.
Marrus, M. R., & Paxton, R. O. (1995). Vichy France and the Jews. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Mitchell, A. (2011). Nazi Paris: The History of an Occupation, 1940-1944. New York, NY: Berghahn Books.
Poznanski, R. (1997). Jews in France During World War II. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England.
Subak, S. E. (2010). Rescue and Flight: American Relief Workers Who Defied the Nazis. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press.
Zuccotti, S. (1993). The Holocaust, the French, and the Jews. New York, NY: BasicBooks.