Alsace-Moselle Memorial
The building of an historical interpretation centre telling the story of the people of Alsace and Moselle was the resultat of an initiative of Jean Pierre Masseret, then Secretary of State of Former Soldiers and War Victims, and supported by regional elected officials such as Philippe Richert, Alain Ferry and Frederic Bierry. In 1999, Philippe Richert and Jean-Pierre Masseret decided the construction of the Memorial Alsace-Moselle and decided to build it in Schirmeck.
Located midway between Strasburg and St-Dié-des-Vosges, Schirmeck is at the crossroads of the Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin and Vosges French departments. Schirmeck was the site of an internment camp opened by the Nazis in August 1940. Moreover, the site of the Memorial faces Struthof, the former concentration camp, as well as the European Centre of the Deported Resistance Members, located on the other side of the valley. The proximity of these two sites, as well as their complementary tour visits, makes the memorial a must-see for anyone visiting Alsace.
On 18 June 2005, the Memorial opened its doors to the public. Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, inaugurated it on 3 November of the same year.
Lieu dit du Chauffour
Allée du Souvenir français
67130
SCHIRMECK
03 88 47 45 50
www.memorial-alsace-moselle.com
Visit to the Alsace-Moselle Memorial
Immerse yourself in the history of Alsace and Moselle from 1870 to today with faithful reconstructions. You’ll feel just like you're there! Let you go in the heart of a historic and interactive course in the meanders of the fate of a region border, Alsace-Moselle of 1870 in our days, with a particular lighting on the World War 2, the totalitarian system and a space dedicated to the French-German reconciliation and building Europe. Movies, documents, film sets to cross the wall of History, to exchange, to think…
The Alsatians and Moselle changed nationality four times between 1871 and 1945. Through an immersive and dynamic scenography, the Alsace Moselle Memorial reveals the particular history of these territories, from 1870 to the present day, particularly during the Second World War.
From 1940 to 1945, Alsace and Moselle were the only part of France to be annexed to the Third Reich and to experience the extreme violence of a totalitarian regime.
This situation cannot be understood without going back to the traces of a region that was disputed for a long time by France and Germany, and today is rich in the cultures inherited from this long struggle.
This place offers a history lesson of universal scope that teaches us the need to unite Europeans in their diversity and in respect for the dignity of each one to offer them peace and freedom. The final space is dedicated to the construction of Europe.
Horaires d'ouverture
The Alsace-Moselle Memorial is OPEN every day from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., including public holidays (except: closed from 8 to 31 January 2024, 1 May 2024, 24, 25 and 31 December 2024 and 1 January 2025).
Public price
Adult : €13.00Kid : €10.00
Price with the pass
Adult : FreeKid : Free
In the eyes of the Liberation’ exhibition
From 19 Oct 2024 to 5 Jan 2025
Exposition temporaire
Mémoire
Entitled ‘In the eyes of the Liberation’, the new exhibition at the Alsace-Moselle Memorial in Schirmeck runs from Saturday 19 October 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025. Moving glances, knowing smiles, relieved inhabitants, exhausted troops, streets and landscapes marked by war and de facto annexation... The liberation of the Bruche Valley in Alsace from 23 to 26 November 1944 by American troops, supported by the actions of resistance networks, is told through an exhibition of black and white photographs. It is complemented by two archive films.
Open daily (except 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January), from 9.30 am to 6 pm. Free admission to the exhibition.
Schirmeck
Allée du Souvenir Français
67130 Schirmeck
France
03 88 47 45 50
contact@memorial-alsace-moselle.com
Théorie des Fragments’ by Matthieu Loos, performed by the Combats Absurdes company
22 November 2024 20:00
Mémoire
Adult : €15.00 - Kid : €10.00
The associations ‘Le Repère’ and ‘Les poids sont volants’ present the play ‘La théorie des Fragments’ by Matthier Loos, performed by the Compagnie Combats Absurdes. Stories haunt us, not really ghosts, not really memories. They are fragments of ourselves, and react according to the theory of fragments. Fragment theory poses the risk of a representation of reality in which we do not inhabit time, but a matter that has itself shaped it. According to the theory of fragments, we are The play is presented as an interweaving of the laws of the aforementioned theory and scenes dealing with the fate of Alsace during the Second World War. In particular, we meet Charles Loos, the author's great-uncle, a Malgré-Nous who died on the Russian front in the German army. Although deceased, he intervened in the trial of Robert Wagner, plenipotentiary Nazi representative in Alsace between 1940 and 1944, who was tried and sentenced to death in 1946.
Schirmeck
Allée du Souvenir Français
Allée du Souvenir Français
67130 Schirmeck
France
0388474550
contact@memorial-alsace-moselle.com
History by torchlight
13 December 2024 18:00
Mémoire
Nocturne
For around an hour and a half, accompanied by a mediator-guide, plunge into the half-light of the Memorial's rooms to discover, in a different way, the tumultuous history of Alsace and Moselle between 1870 and 1945, as well as the construction of Europe. The absence of light highlights the scenography, which becomes more prominent. The senses are heightened, the sounds amplified, and our bearings in space altered. Only the beam of light from the guide's torch illuminates the documents and archives that bear witness to this history. This tour offers a unique experience for visitors, whose perceptions sharpen and evolve as the tour progresses.
Schirmeck
Allée du Souvenir Français
67130 Schirmeck
France
0388474550
contact@memorial-alsace-moselle.com
Guided tour for young people "Jean ou Hans, quelle histoire!
27 December 2024 11:00
En famille
Mémoire
Accompanied by their parents and guided by a mediator, children will follow in the footsteps of a little Alsatian boy their own age, Jean, and his family.
Through his settings, films and stories, families will discover the tumultuous history of the region during the Second World War. A not-to-be-missed event for learning more about the daily lives of children during this period.
Mémorial Alsace-Moselle - Allée du Souvenir français - 67130 SCHIRMECK
Allée du Souvenir français
67130 SCHIRMECK
03884547450
contact@memorial-alsace-moselle.com
Accessibility
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The Memorial is accessible to people with disabilities. For those with reduced mobility or those who are handicapped, as well as those who may have difficulty walking, the Memorial is accessible through an upper parking lot.
Access conditions
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Schirmeck is served by the Strasbourg/Saint-Dié Line. (40 minutes from Strasbourg). From the train station and the town centre, the Memorial is a short 10-minute walk. -
The Alsace-Moselle Memorial is located at the crossroads of Alsace-Lorraine and the Vosges. By car, it is:
- 40 minutes from Strasbourg
- 45 minutes from Colmar and Saint-Dié
- 1 hour from Nancy
- 1 hour, 45 minutes from Metz
- 30 minutes from the Entzheim Airport