A Forgotten Chapter: France's Gypsy Internment Camps During WWII
Forced detainment of Roma people in French-occupied territories, a minimal recollection of history
In the shadows of history, a tale of silence and suppression unfolds, one that Valerie Leray, a photographer, uncovered in her family's past. Her paternal grandfather, interned at the Jargeau camp during World War II, was just one of the thousands of Gypsies—or "nomads"—imprisoned and observed in these camps from 1940 to 1946.
Piqued by curiosity, Leray embarked on a photographic journey in 2006, capturing the stark contrast between the past and present on the once-tainted grounds of these camps. Her series, An Unnamed Place, presents a compelling contrast: a college now occupies the site of the Jargeau camp while golf courses thrive where Mulsanne camps once stood. According to Leray, "These non-spaces have practically all kept the same perimeter, with a different function."
Occupying little more than remnants, these camps seldom display proof of their harrowing history. The Montreuil-Bellay camp, the largest of its kind, reveals only a smattering of concrete steps, foundation remnants, and the traces of a prison cellar. The commemoration of this overlooked portion of French history requires an annual recognition, set to occur on April 26 at the Montreuil-Bellay site.
Revisiting History's Silent Sites
During World War II, Romani people encountered persecution and detainment across France, a consequence of their ethnic status and presumed lack of integration within French society. After the German occupation, this behavior intensified as Romani individuals were rounded up and incarcerated within internment camps.
Jargeau, Mulsanne, and Montreuil-Bellay: A Closer Look
- Jargeau: Although specific records about Romani internment in Jargeau are scarce, the Loiret region, where Jargeau is found, hosted several smaller or transitory camps during WWII. These camps may have served as intermittent detention centers for Romani people, despite the absence of well-preserved historical documentation.
- Mulsanne: Unfortunately, there is no substantial historical evidence to verify Mulsanne as a significant site for Gypsy internment camps during WWII. Larger camps such as Montreuil-Bellay have been more extensively documented.
- Montreuil-Bellay: Primarily serving as a camp for political prisoners and enemies of the state, Montreuil-Bellay held Jews and other targeted groups, albeit in lesser numbers compared to dedicated Romani internment camps. Historical records on Romani internment in this camp are limited in comparison to other sites like Rivesaltes or Saliers.
Notable Internment Sites
Several other internment sites for Romani people in France during WWII include:
- Rivesaltes: Known for its brutal conditions, this camp housed thousands of people, including Romani, who suffered under its oppressive regime.
- Saliers: Located in southern France, Saliers specifically targeted Romani people, symbolizing a broader policy of persecution against this vulnerable group.
Modern Remembrance
While deeply rooted in history, specific commemorations or memorials at the aforementioned sites (Jargeau, Mulsanne, and Montreuil-Bellay) may not be as prominently established as those at larger or better-documented internment sites. Nevertheless, efforts persist to honor and acknowledge the injustices faced by Romani people during this dark period in France's history.
- Valerie Leray's photographic journey in 2006 uncovered the history of Gypsy internment camps in France, focusing on the Jargeau camp in the Loiret region.
- Leray's series, An Unnamed Place, showcases the stark contrast between the past and present, as college now occupies the site of the Jargeau camp, while golf courses thrive where Mulsanne camps once stood.
- Despite limited historical evidence, the Jargeau camp and the Loiret region may have hosted smaller or transitory camps for Romani people during World War II.
- Montreuil-Bellay, while primarily known for hosting political prisoners, also held Romani individuals in lesser numbers compared to dedicated Romani internment camps, such as Rivesaltes and Saliers.
