Besançon Resistance and Deportation Museum
Passeur d'Histoire(s), a civic tool
The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation in Besançon is one of the most important in France.
It houses some extraordinary collections, including a collection of deportation art comprising over 600 small paintings, statuettes and drawings produced clandestinely in the Reich's prisons and concentration camps.
Not recommended for children under 10.
A new museum
After more than 10 years of reflection and 3 years of renovation work, the Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation reopened its doors on September 8, 2023.
The museum's exceptional collections include over 600 small paintings, statuettes and drawings created clandestinely in the Reich's prisons and concentration camps.
The museum's exhibition spaces have been redesigned around the key idea of the "History Museum as a tool for citizens", which places the emphasis on questioning, knowledge and perspective, and on history as critical knowledge.
It now offers 3 distinct exhibition areas:
- A transformed permanent exhibition space
- A temporary exhibition space, featuring a new exhibition every year
- A space dedicated to deported art, the museum's treasure trove, one of the largest collections in Europe.
Since its creation, the museum's collections have been built up thanks to donors, illustrating the sometimes intimate bond between the establishment, the witnesses and their families.
Just a stone's throw from the museum, the Monument du Témoin pays tribute to those who were deported.
The Fusillés monument commemorates the sacrifice of 98 members of the Resistance, condemned to death and executed by the German army between 1941 and 1944. It was restored as part of the museum's renovation.
Collection for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation
This year, we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Besançon.
In this context, the Museum of Resistance and Deportation is calling on you: do you have photos, archives or objects related to the Liberation?
Send us an e-mail at transmettre.mrdb@citadelle.besancon.fr.
© Studio Bernardot
Highlights to discover
Embodying the museum's historical themes, discover these collections.
Discover the collections
Some of our collections are available
online.
Discover other rare collections on the Mémoire vive website of the City of Besançon.
Agenda
Focus on ...
Anniversary of the liberation of Besançon 1944-2024
On September 8, 1944, the American army liberated Besançon with the support of the Resistance.
80 years later, the city remembers and pays tribute to the Allies and Bisontin(e)s who fought for freedom. The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation (Museum of Resistance and Deportation) joins in these commemorations and also celebrates its 1-year reopening.
Commemorations and tributes will be held throughout Greater Besançon during the month of September.
Sunday, September 8 :
The ceremony to mark the liberation of Besançon will start at 9:30 am in Place du 8 septembre, followed by a parade to Parc Micaud.
The Orchestre d'Harmonie Municipal de Besançon (Besançon Municipal Harmony Orchestra) will be offering a number of musical performances at various venues around the city, along with other musical ensembles.
Exhibitions will present different aspects of the city's liberation and its emblematic figures. Exhibition venues include the Lycées Louis Pasteur and Jules Haag, the Collège Victor Hugo, the Hôtel de Ville, the Hôtel de Clévans and the Chaprais cemetery.
- To find out more about Besançon's cultural program for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation, click here. here.
At La Citadelle, the Tétraktys musical ensemble and soprano Julie Dey will perform excerpts from the operetta-revue Le Verfügbar aux enfers, written in the Ravensbrück camp by Germaine Tillion and her comrades.
The museum will also be offering tours of the permanent exhibition focusing on the figure of Germaine Tillion.
- For full details of the program at La Citadelle on September 8, go to here.