Recently returned from a wonderful trip to Provence and, while there, visited the Camp des Milles. The Camp is rarely mentioned in tour books but we found it a fascinating, albeit sobering, visit. Located less than 30 minutes from Aix (yes, you would need a car), the camp is run (I think) by the French ministry of defense, still surrounded by barbed wire and you must go through a manned gate house to reach the main buildings (this strangely adds to the experience). The site was used as both an internment and deportation camp - explanations of the war, life during the war and the internment of artists, Jews and others is presented very well. You can wander through the cells at will and feel those who came before. It was positively deserted the day we were there but we found it a very worthwhile afternoon - an unusual place to go in Provence but very memorable. There is an English audiogiode and most displays are in both English and French.
Posted by
Arlington TX
596 posts
Thanks for the information, I was weighing going when I’m in Aix in October. I think it is possible to get a bus and that will decide it for me as I’ll be a solo traveler without a car. Do you remember how long you were there?
Posted by
OP
263 posts
We were there for 2-3 hours. We're history buffs and found it fascinating - we try to visit historic sites and this is the only camp we've ever seen. A unique experience though, as I mentioned, sobering.
Posted by
Washington DC
28065 posts
I got to and from the camp by bus in 2017. I'm nearly certain it was a city bus. Inquire locally, because Google Maps is showing you need to get to the bus station (Gare Routiere) to begin the trip, and I remember departing from somewhere in the center of town. The camp website (see below) says to take the Line 4 bus from "Aix (Rotonde)" to the Gare des Milles stop, but I'm not sure exactly what Aix (Rotonde) is. Google Maps finds several "Rotondes" in Aix.
I think there may have been a soda-vending machine at the camp, but no real food service, and the location isn't surrounded by commercial buildings. I wouldn't count on finding food in the neighborhood.
I'd agree on a 2- to 3-hour minimum. It might take a bit longer than that to read every bit of information posted in English (there's a lot). The lower level of the camp is underground and can be distinctly chilly even on a hot summer day, so I'd highly recommend a sweater or jacket.
Here's the website: https://www.campdesmilles.org/home2.html
Posted by
OP
263 posts
What a lovely note - thank you so m much! We're history buffs and try to find some of the more unusual places when we travel. Fortunately for us, our daughter lives in France, so we're able to wander off the beaten path.
Other than Camp des Milles (which was fascinating, especially as we were - literally - the only two in this cavernous place), I'd recommend Le Couple, near Saint Omer, which was where the Germans planned to launch rockets on England. Interesting displays on plans to attack and invade England, the development of rockets and, oh yes - you can walk through the tunnels where they would be hidden and then launched. Again, an audioguide and English.
Again - thank you!!