Musée de la Résistance et de la déportation de Franche-Comté

The Musée de la Résistance et de la déportation de Franche-Comté is located within the Citadel of Besançon and documents resistance activities and deportations during World War II. The permanent display occupies multiple rooms filled with documents, photographs, personal accounts, and an important collection of artwork created by concentration camp prisoners.

The museum was established in 1971 when resistance associations joined forces with Denise Lorach, a former concentration camp survivor, to preserve these experiences. Their collaboration created an institution dedicated to documenting resistance and deportation during World War II.

The museum displays artwork created by concentration camp prisoners, offering visitors a direct connection to the experiences of those who endured imprisonment. These pieces reveal how people used art to preserve their humanity in horrific circumstances.

The museum reopened in September 2023 after extensive renovations with improved facilities and interactive displays throughout. Visitors can move through the exhibition at their own pace and engage with the various presentation methods available.

An interactive terminal allows visitors to examine more than 160 artworks produced by camp inmates during their imprisonment. This digital tool provides a personal way to discover individual stories that might otherwise remain hidden.