Remembrance Centre (project 2025)

The Prison du Pax: the importance of remembering

At the end of 1942, Italian soldiers occupied Annemasse. They requisitioned a hosiery factory located at No. 21, Rue de la Gare and used its cellar to imprison political opponents. However, in September 1943, the Italians left and German occupying forces took their place. Troops of the 'SS Polizei Regimenter Tod' settled at Hotel Pax, and the hosiery factory (which was located opposite) was used as a prison. Hundreds of people were detained there. The prison register shows 736 people, but not everyone's name was written down. They included members of the Resistance and Jews, including 39 children. Some prisoners were killed, others were freed, but the majority were transferred to Montluc prison before being sent to the concentration and extermination camps.

Some of the names of those held in the 'prison du Pax' might mean something to you, such as Marianne Cohn or Mila Racine, but many remain unknown.

Exhibitions and cultural initiatives are planned

2022 will be dedicated to Marianne Cohn, a young Resistance fighter, who through her actions saved Jewish children fleeing Nazi persecution. The events can be seen on the town's website:
https://www.annemasse.fr/que-faire-a-annemasse/decouvrir/memoire-et-patrimoine/maison-des-memoires.

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