Camp des Milles, Aix-en-Provence

Camp des Milles is a former camp set inside an old brick factory. It began in 1939, at the start of World War II, when foreign nationals from enemy countries were held there. Many of them were artists and writers. Life inside was difficult, with large shared rooms and very simple conditions. Some detainees drew and painted on the walls, and these artworks can still be seen today.

From 1940 to 1942, the camp changed its role. Under the Vichy government, it became a place where Jewish men, women, and children were held before deportation. About 10,000 people passed through the camp, and more than 2,000 were sent to Auschwitz in 1942. This makes it one of the few places where visitors can understand how the system of internment and deportation worked step by step.

Today, the site is a memorial and museum. Visitors can walk through the original factory spaces, which have been kept close to how they looked during the war. Exhibits include personal stories, documents, and the drawings left on the walls. The museum also explains topics like discrimination and propaganda, helping visitors understand how these events happened and why they are still important to remember.