Photo : Jean-Marie Dufour
Covid-19 Pandemic: Opening of the first memorial site in France
From this Wednesday, September 16, Université Paris Cité is opening to the public the very first space in France dedicated to the memory of Covid-19. Located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, this unique venue offers an initial exhibition to look back on this historic crisis, understand its impacts on our lives, and discuss the challenges of tomorrow.
Siège de l'Université Paris Cité (Paris 6th)
About
A living and evolving memorial site
Inaugurated on May 28, 2026, by the Ad Memoriam Institute at the Odéon headquarters of the Université Paris Cité, this site is the first permanent place in France dedicated to the memory of Covid-19. Conceived at the initiative of anthropologist Laëtitia Atlani-Duault (president of the Ad Memoriam Institute), this scientific and interdisciplinary space offers a place for reflection and dialogue on what the crisis revealed about our societies and the lessons to be learned for the future in the face of health and humanitarian crises.
An inaugural exhibition to rethink a collective experience
Located on the first floor, the site unveils a first exhibition designed by historian Georges Vigarello and anthropologist Laëtitia Atlani-Duault. The journey invites you to look back at the profound transformations caused by the epidemic:
- the disruption of temporalities;
- the redefinition of spaces and distances;
- the way in which social ties were tested and reinvented.
The journey also places Covid-19 in a broader history of pandemics and questions how this individual and collective experience can be transmitted to future generations.
The memorial site will also host thematic exhibitions, currently being set up or in preparation, led by curators with varied profiles.
Our take on this event
Some moments in history deserve more than just fading into the background. Step into this insightful new space dedicated to reflecting on the pandemic, where experts bridge the gap between personal experience and collective memory. It is a compelling chance to process the lasting impact of those years on our society and our sense of connection.
The Université Paris Cité hosts France's first permanent memorial space dedicated to the Covid-19 pandemic. Located in the 6th arrondissement, this interdisciplinary site serves as a place for reflection and dialogue regarding the societal transformations sparked by the health crisis. Designed to bridge historical analysis and future preparedness, it invites visitors to examine the individual and collective experiences of the recent past. Accessible to everyone, the venue is open every Wednesday afternoon. Admission is completely free, providing a unique opportunity to explore these thematic exhibits in a dedicated academic setting.
Located at the headquarters of the Université Paris Cité, 12 rue de l’École de médecine, this memorial site represents the first permanent institution in France focused on the memory of the Covid-19 pandemic. Initiated by the Institut Ad Memoriam and led by anthropologist Laëtitia Atlani-Duault, the space functions as an interdisciplinary hub for academic and social dialogue about the lessons learned from recent health and humanitarian crises.
The inaugural exhibition, curated by Laëtitia Atlani-Duault and historian Georges Vigarello, is housed on the first floor. It guides visitors through an analysis of how the pandemic fundamentally altered our perception of time, redefined physical distances, and tested the strength of social bonds. By contextualizing Covid-19 within the broader history of global pandemics, the exhibit examines how this collective experience can be effectively transmitted to future generations.
The memorial is open to the public every Wednesday from 14:00 to 17:30, starting October 7, 2026, through December 26, 2029. Beyond the initial exhibition, the center is preparing to host a series of rotating thematic displays curated by various experts. Visitors can access the facility free of charge without prior reservation to engage with this evolving educational space.
