Mont-Valérien, Eminent Place of the National Memory

From 1941 to 1945, during the Second World War, Mont-Valérien was the main site used by the German authorities in France to execute over 1,000 Resistance fighters and hostages who were victims of the Nazi occupation.

Here you can visit the clearing where executions took place by firing squad, the chapel, the monument erected in memory of those executed, and the Mémorial de la France Combattante – a memorial commemorating members of the armed forces from France and the colonies, as well as members of the French Resistance.

There is an additional exhibition room located in the crypt of the memorial, describing how this memorial site was created in accordance with the wishes of General De Gaulle. Finally, an information centre houses film archives about the history of Mont-Valérien since WWII, as well as providing visitors with interactive touch screens that depict the lives and stories of those executed there.

Programme of cultural events

A historic site

The clearing was used by the German army, between 1941 and 1944, for the execution of those sentenced to death and hostages taken from prisons and camps in the Paris region.
In the chapel where some of the victims spent their last moments before being executed, their final words can be seen engraved upon the walls.

© ONAC, © DPMA, © ONAC

A national memorial

The Parcours du Souvenir (Remembrance Trail) overlooks the "Clairière des Fusillés" (clearing where executions took place) and allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of those sentenced to death by firing squad.
The monument built to commemorate those executed (monument aux fusillés) pays tribute "to the Resistance fighters and hostages shot at Mont-Valérien by Nazi troops between 1941 and 1944, and to all those victims who were never identified".
Every year on 18 June, a ceremony led by the French President is held on the memorial esplanade to commemorate the Appeal of 18 June – the speech broadcast from London by General de Gaulle, in which he called on German-occupied France to keep fighting and refuse to admit defeat.

Visiting Mont-Valérien memorial site

Free guided tours are provided all year round, and last 1.5 hours (booking is advised). Booking is required for groups of over 10 people.

Opening times

Mont-Valérien is open to the public six days a week (closed on Mondays), excluding 1 January, 1 May, 18 June, 15 August, 1 November and 25 December.

Information

Le Mont-Valérien, Haut Lieu de la Mémoire Nationale
Avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard
+33 (0)1 47 28 46 35
e-mail : info@mont-valerien.fr
Website: www.mont-valerien.fr

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Mont-Valérien, a listed national memorial

A historic site

A national memorial

Visiting Mont-Valérien memorial site

Opening times

Information

Gettingthere