Elisabeth Eidenbenz was officially recognized as 'Righteous Among the Nations' in 2002 for her role in saving children and their mothers.
The maternity hospital was initially organized under the auspices of the Association Secours Suisse aux Enfants.
At its height, the facility acted as a safe haven when infants in neighboring internment camps like Rivesaltes faced extremely high mortality rates.
The building was abandoned for several decades before being purchased by the town of Elne in 1997 to prevent its destruction.
The renovation project was partially funded through extensive public and private fundraising campaigns to restore its 1940s aesthetic.
The Maternité Suisse d'Elne is a historical site that served as a maternity hospital for refugees fleeing the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Established in 1939 by Swiss nurse Elisabeth Eidenbenz, the institution facilitated the birth of nearly 600 children, primarily from families in internment camps. The site is housed in the former Château d'en Bardou, a neoclassical manor that provided a sanctuary for mothers from diverse nationalities, including Spanish, Jewish, and Roma populations. Following the closure of the facility by the Vichy authorities in 1944, the building eventually transitioned into a site of memory dedicated to the humanitarian efforts of the Swiss Red Cross. The museum preserves the history of the 'Swiss Mothers' and the international solidarity demonstrated during the period. It functions as a place of historical reflection on the themes of refuge, childhood, and humanitarian aid. Visitors can explore the original layout of the manor, which reflects its dual history as both a bourgeois residence and a wartime clinic.
The restored exterior facade of the Château d'en Bardou, which retains its distinctive period architecture.
Combine your visit with the nearby Cloître d'Elne to see the local Romanesque architecture.
Check the official website for rotating temporary exhibitions that focus on contemporary humanitarian issues.
Allocate time to read the personal letters and testimonials left by former residents on display.
Do not expect a large-scale commercial museum experience, as this is a site focused on preservation and historical testimony.
Closed on Mondays; closed for an annual break in early January.
Maintain a respectful demeanor appropriate for a site of historical memory; silence is expected inside the exhibition rooms.
