The region of Alsace-Moselle changed nationality four times between 1870 and 1945.
The term 'Malgré-nous' translates to 'against our will,' referring to the 130,000 Alsatians and Mosellans forcibly drafted into the German army.
The memorial is built into a hillside, utilizing architectural concrete to evoke a sense of bunker-like historical gravity.
It is the only museum in France that specifically covers the history of these two regions' unique, turbulent identity during the World Wars.
The site includes a 'Hall of Europe,' highlighting the role of the region in the post-1945 construction of the European Union.
Its location in Schirmeck was chosen for its proximity to the only Nazi concentration camp established on French soil, the Natzweiler-Struthof.
The Alsace-Moselle Memorial is a dedicated historical site documenting the complex history of the Alsace and Moselle regions from 1870 to the present. It specifically addresses the trauma of forced annexation by Nazi Germany during World War II, where local men were conscripted into the Wehrmacht as 'Malgré-nous'. The museum architecture uses a deliberate concrete design to symbolize the weight of this history and the shifting borders between France and Germany. Permanent exhibitions track the region's cycles of occupation, resistance, and the eventual process of post-war reconciliation. The memorial serves as an educational center for European history and human rights, emphasizing the resilience of the regional identity. It is located at the former site of the Struthof concentration camp's administrative influence area.
The external architecture framing the valley view provides a stark contrast between the heavy concrete structure and the natural landscape.
Allocate extra time to read the extensive testimonials and watch the archival films, which provide essential context for the exhibits.
Wear comfortable walking shoes as the site incorporates sloping pathways and a significant footprint.
Check the schedule for temporary exhibition updates, which rotate annually to focus on specific aspects of 20th-century history.
Attempting to visit in a rush, as the exhibits are text-heavy and require significant time to process the historical nuance.
Closed on Mondays throughout the off-season months.
Maintain a solemn and quiet demeanor as the memorial functions as a place of remembrance for civilian and military casualties.
