Annemasse has taken the decision to sanctify the 'prison du Pax' and to create a Remembrance Centre in order to make the town's history known. This project should be completed by the start of 2025.
The Prison du Pax: the importance of remembering
At the end of 1942, Italian soldiers occupied Annemasse. They requisitioned a hosiery factory located at No. 21, Rue de la Gare and used its cellar to imprison political opponents. However, in September 1943, the Italians left and German occupying forces took their place. Troops of the 'SS Polizei Regimenter Tod' settled at Hotel Pax, and the hosiery factory (which was located opposite) was used as a prison. Hundreds of people were detained there. The prison register shows 736 people, but not everyone's name was written down. They included members of the Resistance and Jews, including 39 children. Some prisoners were killed, others were freed, but the majority were transferred to Montluc prison before being sent to the concentration and extermination camps.
Some of the names of those held in the 'prison du Pax' might mean something to you, such as Marianne Cohn or Mila Racine, but many remain unknown.
Exhibitions and cultural initiatives are planned
2022 will be dedicated to Marianne Cohn, a young Resistance fighter, who through her actions saved Jewish children fleeing Nazi persecution. The events can be seen on the town's website:
https://www.annemasse.fr/que-faire-a-annemasse/decouvrir/memoire-et-patrimoine/maison-des-memoires.
In 2023
The year 2023 was dedicated to a tribute to Mila Racine, with the creation of a park in her name, and the installation of a large-scale memorial fresco. This unique work of art was commissioned expressly for the occasion by the Ville d'Annemasse, and created by scriptwriter Jean-David Morvan with the artists' collective "The Tribe". The inauguration was the occasion for a vibrant tribute to Mila Racine in the presence of families, rescued children and personalities.
In 2024
Throughout September, to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Annemasse, an exhibition created by the ERRA association (Esprit de Résistance dans la Région Annemassienne) and devoted to the Second World War and the Resistance in the Annemasse area, will be on show at the MJC Centre. An off-site version will be installed on the station forecourt - esplanade François Mitterand.
On September 21, 2024, the City of Annemasse will award the medal of Honorary Citizen of the City of Annemasse to André Panczer, saved at the age of 7 by Mila Racine. He joins two other Honorary Citizens, Sam Jacquet and Alice Lentz, children imprisoned at the Pax with Marianne Cohn.
In 2025
In autumn 2025, the town of Annemasse will inaugurate the Maison des Mémoires, which will open its doors in the former premises of the Pax prison, a highly symbolic place in the town's Resistance and history. Through a modern, participatory museographical tour and a scenography that enhances the visitor's sensitivity and questions, this establishment aims to be accessible to all, and particularly to the youngest visitors, with a view to passing on memories.
At the end of 1942, Italian soldiers occupied Annemasse. They requisitioned a hosiery factory located at No. 21, Rue de la Gare and used its cellar to imprison political opponents. However, in September 1943, the Italians left and German occupying forces took their place. Troops of the 'SS Polizei Regimenter Tod' settled at Hotel Pax, and the hosiery factory (which was located opposite) was used as a prison. Hundreds of people were detained there. The prison register shows 736 people, but not everyone's name was written down. They included members of the Resistance and Jews, including 39 children. Some prisoners were killed, others were freed, but the majority were transferred to Montluc prison before being sent to the concentration and extermination camps.
Some of the names of those held in the 'prison du Pax' might mean something to you, such as Marianne Cohn or Mila Racine, but many remain unknown.
Exhibitions and cultural initiatives are planned
2022 will be dedicated to Marianne Cohn, a young Resistance fighter, who through her actions saved Jewish children fleeing Nazi persecution. The events can be seen on the town's website:
https://www.annemasse.fr/que-faire-a-annemasse/decouvrir/memoire-et-patrimoine/maison-des-memoires.
In 2023
The year 2023 was dedicated to a tribute to Mila Racine, with the creation of a park in her name, and the installation of a large-scale memorial fresco. This unique work of art was commissioned expressly for the occasion by the Ville d'Annemasse, and created by scriptwriter Jean-David Morvan with the artists' collective "The Tribe". The inauguration was the occasion for a vibrant tribute to Mila Racine in the presence of families, rescued children and personalities.
In 2024
Throughout September, to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Annemasse, an exhibition created by the ERRA association (Esprit de Résistance dans la Région Annemassienne) and devoted to the Second World War and the Resistance in the Annemasse area, will be on show at the MJC Centre. An off-site version will be installed on the station forecourt - esplanade François Mitterand.
On September 21, 2024, the City of Annemasse will award the medal of Honorary Citizen of the City of Annemasse to André Panczer, saved at the age of 7 by Mila Racine. He joins two other Honorary Citizens, Sam Jacquet and Alice Lentz, children imprisoned at the Pax with Marianne Cohn.
In 2025
In autumn 2025, the town of Annemasse will inaugurate the Maison des Mémoires, which will open its doors in the former premises of the Pax prison, a highly symbolic place in the town's Resistance and history. Through a modern, participatory museographical tour and a scenography that enhances the visitor's sensitivity and questions, this establishment aims to be accessible to all, and particularly to the youngest visitors, with a view to passing on memories.
Location
Location
Spoken languages
Spoken languages
Environment
Environment
- In the town centre
- In town
- Close to a public transportation
Access
Access
- Bus TAC : stop "Adrien Ligué" lines Tango, 5 and 8
