History is essential to understanding the past. Memory is essential to build the present.

The Vigie – Memorial of the Deportees of Mayenne pays tribute to all the deportees of the department of Mayenne, sent to the Nazi concentration and extermination camps during the Second World War.
This site, unique in the West, is structured around two spaces: the Memory Space and the Vigilance Space. Objects brought back from the Nazi camps, exhibitions, chronologies, wall of names are unveiled in a very special atmosphere and adapted to all. More than a place of remembrance and contemplation, the Memorial is a place of sharing, artistic expression, information and vigilance. Inaugurated in 2012, this Memorial is also intended to pass on memory and awaken consciousness in the face of current events.

Photo salle du mur des noms mémorial

The association

Jeu de l'oie du mémorial

La Vigie – Memorial is managed by the Association pour le Mémorial de la Déportation, which has been recognized as being of general interest since 2012. You can support this association and the Memorial by donating and/or joining.

Visit to the Memorial:
You can visit the Memorial on your own. Visit booklets/in English/ in German/ are available at reception. You can also take a guided visit at 2pm and 4pm. To benefit from a guided visit in English, please contact us beforehand (by email: Cette adresse e-mail est protégée contre les robots spammeurs. Vous devez activer le JavaScript pour la visualiser.).
A video projection of the testimonies of Deportees, subtitled in English, is available on request (duration: 30 min).

Informations

Opening hours :
From April to September: Open from Tuesday to Saturday and the 1st Sunday of the month (except April) from 14h to 18h.
From October to March: Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2pm to 6pm.
Closed on public holidays (1/01, 01/05, 14/07, 15/08, 01/11, 11/11, 25/12), in January (individual public), and during the Christmas holidays.

Length of visit:
1h to 1h30
Rates:
Independent visit: 5 € per adult. 3 € for job seekers, students. Free for under 12 years.
Guided visit: 6€ per adult. 4€ for students and job seekers.
Twinned ticket with the castle of Mayenne: 7 € per person (for access to both sites).

Access:
By car: 30 minutes from Laval, 25 minutes from Exit 4 at the A81 (Le Mans-Rennes), 1 hour from Alençon and 3 hours from Paris.
Direction of downtown Mayenne then towards Rennes and Fougères (coming from Laval), on the N12. 250 meters left after the Mac Racken bridge (towards Rennes). Located between the Tourist Office of Mayenne and the Town Hall
By train: Nearest train station in Laval
Parking: Stops are possible in front of the Memorial (drop-off location).
Parking on Charles de Gaulle street or near the quays (quai de la République), on the banks of the Mayenne.