Mémorial du Camp d'Argelès-sur-Mer, Historical memorial in Argelès-sur-Mer, France.
The Mémorial du Camp d'Argelès-sur-Mer is a museum in southern France that documents the history of an internment camp established in 1939. It presents photographs, objects, and personal accounts from refugees during 1939 to 1942.
The camp was established in 1939 by the French government to hold more than 100,000 Spanish refugees escaping Franco's regime. It remained operational until 1942 and played an important role during this complex period in European history.
The memorial displays artworks created by camp residents that show their daily routines and experiences during internment. These creations reveal how people found ways to express themselves despite their difficult circumstances.
Visits are available Tuesday through Saturday with opening times that accommodate different visitor schedules. It helps to check in advance whether special tours or exhibitions are available to make the most of your visit.
The museum maintains an extensive digital archive of survivor testimonies, giving researchers access to firsthand accounts of camp life. This collection makes the voices of those who lived there available to future generations.
Location: Argelès-sur-Mer
Address: 26 Av. de la Libération, 66700 Argelès-sur-Mer, France
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-12:00,14:00-18:00; July-September Monday-Sunday 10:00-12:00,14:00-18:00; Saturday 09:00-17:00
Phone: +33468958503
Website: http://memorial-argeles.eu/fr
GPS coordinates: 42.54608,3.02357
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:49
Argelès-sur-Mer sits between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, combining beach life with medieval history. The town preserves traces of its past through the Tour de la Massane, a 13th-century watchtower, and the Mémorial des Camps, which commemorates the Spanish Civil War refugee camps. The Église Notre-Dame del Prat displays Catalan architecture, while the Ermitage Notre-Dame de Vie occupies a hillside overlooking the coast. The Sentier du Littoral follows rocky cliffs between Plage du Racou and Crique du Porteil, where swimmers and snorkelers gather. The region offers several protected natural areas, including the Réserve Naturelle du Mas-Larrieu with its dunes and wetlands, and the Réserve Marine de Banyuls for divers. Further inland, the Musée de Tautavel presents prehistoric findings, while the Orgues d'Ille-sur-Têt displays pink clay erosion formations. The Caves Byrrh in Thuir has produced fortified wine since 1873 in underground cellars. Across the Spanish border, the Musée Dalí in Figueres showcases the surrealist artist's work. In Perpignan, the Palais des Rois de Majorque rises above the city, documenting the period when the region belonged to the Kingdom of Majorca.
Château de Valmy
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Luna Park
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Parc Municipal de Valmy et circuit botanique
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Casino JOA d'Argelès
2.2 km
Canyoning Park
3.6 km
Are y Sem
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Église Notre-Dame del Prat d'Argelès-sur-Mer
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Argeles Aventure
3.5 km
Ermitage Notre-Dame-de-Vie d'Argelès-sur-Mer
2.7 km
Chapelle Saint-Jérôme d'Argelès
2.7 km
Château de Pujols
1.3 km
Dolmen des Collets de Cotlliure
2.9 km
Église de Saint-Ferréol-de-la-Pave
4 km
Église Saint-Martin-et-Sainte-Croix
2.9 km
Drop-in Argelès Water Jump Park
3.6 km
Chapelle Saint-Laurent-du-Mont d'Argelès-sur-Mer
2.8 km
Paradise Golf
3.5 km
Waterfly
2.3 km
Le Jardin Enchanté
1.8 km
Castell de Tatzó d'Avall
2.9 km
Fortified town of Argelès-sur-Mer
143 m
Castell de Tatzó d'Amunt
3.4 km
Chapelle Sainte-Marie-Étoile-de-la-Mer
1.9 km
Sentier Littoral, Cerbère - Argelès-sur-Mer
3.1 km
Crazy Jump
2.2 km
Casa de l'Albera
152 m
Le Bois des Pins
2 km
Racou beach
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