Exhibition
Domaine départemental Pierresvives
Montpellier
Exhibition presented from November 20, 2025 to May 09, 2026
Free admission Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm (except public holidays)
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, a conflict that had a lasting impact on history, the international geopolitical landscape, society and memory, and fostered the emergence and even the advance of significant rights and progress in France (notably the right to vote for women, and the creation of Social Security).
At a time when conflicts on European soil are once again becoming a reality, and anti-Semitism is on the rise again in a worrying way, the spotlight on the past and the capacities for adaptation, resistance and resilience developed by the people of the Hérault region during the dark years, as well as the societal progress experienced post-Libération, allow us to evoke the values of living together: citizenship, solidarity, protection of the most vulnerable and innovation.
Vivre la guerre en Hérault (1939-1945) (Living through war in the Hérault region, 1939-1945) covers daily life from the defeat of 1940 to the end of the war and the building of Europe. Divided into four parts, the focus is on the experiences of the civilian population: the absence of prisoners, the arrival of people during the exodus or fleeing the occupied zone, the STO, roundups, fear, shortages and the German occupation? Far removed from the angelism and hagiography often associated with the period, the exhibition focuses on the nuances of daily life, where subsistence and survival were a priority.
To save?
In 1940, the population of the Hérault, although a rear department, saw thousands of people fleeing the fighting and the German occupation. The department also felt the full impact of the defeat and, like most of France, placed itself under the protection of Marshal Pétain, "victor of Verdun" and henceforth "savior of France". However, a few dissenting voices soon began to be heard, the most famous of which, that of General de Gaulle, was barely perceptible at first. Labeled a terrorist by Vichy, de Gaulle became in London the leader of a France that continued to fight. The reversal of the roles of providential man and traitor between 1940 and 1944 is revealing: Vichy?s policy of collaboration turned Philippe Pétain into a criminal, while Charles de Gaulle ultimately acquired the dimension of head of state.
(Sur)Vivre
In November 1941, there were 2,246 prisoners of war in Hérault (a list that is constantly changing, given the difficulty of obtaining information). The absence of the men and the worry about their situation were felt daily by their families. Restrictions were particularly harsh, and hunger and the black market were omnipresent, especially in the big cities.
Vichy policies were put in place, collaborationist, repressive and discriminatory, and fear took hold. Roundups of Jews and plundering of their property were organized. The reigning climate of terror and forced labor in Germany, followed by the invasion of the southern zone and the arrival of the Nazis in 1942, contributed to the development of a spirit of resistance: a deep rift set against a backdrop of civil war took root in society.
Collaboration vs. resistance
The population of the Hérault region was subjected to omnipresent propaganda by the Vichy government, which was particularly sensitive to the need to control information. Censorship, the bludgeoning of monitored information and the constant promotion of the Marshal's image, combined with the harshness of daily life, left little room for critical thinking. Repression was daily and the Milice ruthless. However, a few voices of opposition were soon heard, and acts of refusal, sabotage and rescue developed, thanks to the awakening of consciences from all social, political and religious backgrounds. Joining the Resistance was a heroic act among a population focused on survival and fear. Many Hérault residents paid the price of blood, arms and freedom with their lives.
Rebuilding
The liberation of Hérault took place on August 26, 1944, in a climate of jubilation and anxiety. Numerous rumors fueled fears of devastation, looting and massacres perpetrated by a routed enemy. A new administrative organization was put in place, while the armed forces that had emerged from the Resistance movements were determined to demand accountability. The time had come for judicial and extra-judicial purges. The population awaited the return of prisoners and deportees: a daily hope that was often disappointed. The wait lasts? for a long time. At the same time, a new society was taking shape, evolving notably through the right to vote granted to women. From 1944 onwards, the people of Hérault aspired to a return to a gentler way of life, while at the same time paying tribute to the victims of Nazism and collaboration: a duty to remember that is still very much alive today.
Loans from local and national institutions
A number of museums and archive departments have agreed to loan documents and artefacts related to those presented by the Archives de l'Hérault. The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation in Castelnau-le-Lez, the Musée Jean-Garcin 39-45 : L?appel de la Liberté in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and several departmental archives (Loir-et-Cher, Nièvre and Vosges), as well as the Metropole of Montpellier and the town of Sérignan, are all taking part in the event. Major national institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay through the Musée Fabre, the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar, and the Musée de l'Armée and the Musée de l'Ordre National de la Libération in Paris have also joined forces for this exhibition.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Guided tours of the exhibition
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm and some Saturdays at 11am (more information on our website)
E-MAIL REGISTRATION ? serviceprogrammation@herault.fr
Storytelling tour: Ersatz, chocolat, etcetera.
Visit in English (for groups)
Tours and workshops for school groups
Domaine départemental Pierresvives
Montpellier
Exhibition presented from November 20, 2025 to May 09, 2026
Free admission Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm (except public holidays)
The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, a conflict that had a lasting impact on history, the international geopolitical landscape, society and memory, and fostered the emergence and even the advance of significant rights and progress in France (notably the right to vote for women, and the creation of Social Security).
At a time when conflicts on European soil are once again becoming a reality, and anti-Semitism is on the rise again in a worrying way, the spotlight on the past and the capacities for adaptation, resistance and resilience developed by the people of the Hérault region during the dark years, as well as the societal progress experienced post-Libération, allow us to evoke the values of living together: citizenship, solidarity, protection of the most vulnerable and innovation.
Vivre la guerre en Hérault (1939-1945) (Living through war in the Hérault region, 1939-1945) covers daily life from the defeat of 1940 to the end of the war and the building of Europe. Divided into four parts, the focus is on the experiences of the civilian population: the absence of prisoners, the arrival of people during the exodus or fleeing the occupied zone, the STO, roundups, fear, shortages and the German occupation? Far removed from the angelism and hagiography often associated with the period, the exhibition focuses on the nuances of daily life, where subsistence and survival were a priority.
To save?
In 1940, the population of the Hérault, although a rear department, saw thousands of people fleeing the fighting and the German occupation. The department also felt the full impact of the defeat and, like most of France, placed itself under the protection of Marshal Pétain, "victor of Verdun" and henceforth "savior of France". However, a few dissenting voices soon began to be heard, the most famous of which, that of General de Gaulle, was barely perceptible at first. Labeled a terrorist by Vichy, de Gaulle became in London the leader of a France that continued to fight. The reversal of the roles of providential man and traitor between 1940 and 1944 is revealing: Vichy?s policy of collaboration turned Philippe Pétain into a criminal, while Charles de Gaulle ultimately acquired the dimension of head of state.
(Sur)Vivre
In November 1941, there were 2,246 prisoners of war in Hérault (a list that is constantly changing, given the difficulty of obtaining information). The absence of the men and the worry about their situation were felt daily by their families. Restrictions were particularly harsh, and hunger and the black market were omnipresent, especially in the big cities.
Vichy policies were put in place, collaborationist, repressive and discriminatory, and fear took hold. Roundups of Jews and plundering of their property were organized. The reigning climate of terror and forced labor in Germany, followed by the invasion of the southern zone and the arrival of the Nazis in 1942, contributed to the development of a spirit of resistance: a deep rift set against a backdrop of civil war took root in society.
Collaboration vs. resistance
The population of the Hérault region was subjected to omnipresent propaganda by the Vichy government, which was particularly sensitive to the need to control information. Censorship, the bludgeoning of monitored information and the constant promotion of the Marshal's image, combined with the harshness of daily life, left little room for critical thinking. Repression was daily and the Milice ruthless. However, a few voices of opposition were soon heard, and acts of refusal, sabotage and rescue developed, thanks to the awakening of consciences from all social, political and religious backgrounds. Joining the Resistance was a heroic act among a population focused on survival and fear. Many Hérault residents paid the price of blood, arms and freedom with their lives.
Rebuilding
The liberation of Hérault took place on August 26, 1944, in a climate of jubilation and anxiety. Numerous rumors fueled fears of devastation, looting and massacres perpetrated by a routed enemy. A new administrative organization was put in place, while the armed forces that had emerged from the Resistance movements were determined to demand accountability. The time had come for judicial and extra-judicial purges. The population awaited the return of prisoners and deportees: a daily hope that was often disappointed. The wait lasts? for a long time. At the same time, a new society was taking shape, evolving notably through the right to vote granted to women. From 1944 onwards, the people of Hérault aspired to a return to a gentler way of life, while at the same time paying tribute to the victims of Nazism and collaboration: a duty to remember that is still very much alive today.
Loans from local and national institutions
A number of museums and archive departments have agreed to loan documents and artefacts related to those presented by the Archives de l'Hérault. The Musée de la Résistance et de la Déportation in Castelnau-le-Lez, the Musée Jean-Garcin 39-45 : L?appel de la Liberté in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and several departmental archives (Loir-et-Cher, Nièvre and Vosges), as well as the Metropole of Montpellier and the town of Sérignan, are all taking part in the event. Major national institutions such as the Musée d'Orsay through the Musée Fabre, the Musée Unterlinden in Colmar, and the Musée de l'Armée and the Musée de l'Ordre National de la Libération in Paris have also joined forces for this exhibition.
ON-SITE REGISTRATION
Guided tours of the exhibition
Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm and some Saturdays at 11am (more information on our website)
E-MAIL REGISTRATION ? serviceprogrammation@herault.fr
Storytelling tour: Ersatz, chocolat, etcetera.
Visit in English (for groups)
Tours and workshops for school groups
