Cradle of Freedom Museum Space

Coat of arms of the commune of Villard-de-Lans

Since 1974 and the creation of our association, the mayors of Villard-de-Lans have always supported our actions, morally, politically and financially. We offer our sincerest thanks and gratitude to André Ravix, Albert Orcel, Marcel Bonnard, Michel Daudens, Jean-Pierre Bouvier, Chantal Carlioz and, today, Arnaud Mathieu, and their teams.

The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Lyon has been a partner of the association since its creation. The Consulate has faithfully attended all our major events. It played a crucial role in the creation of the Foyer des Libertés (Cradle of Freedom) museum space at the Maison du Patrimoine (Heritage Centre) in Villard-de-Lans.

La Maison du Patrimoine de Villard-de-Lans a accueilli une de nos expositions en 2012. Depuis 2021, l’espace muséal permanent Foyer des libertés y est installé et nos publications y sont vendues. Chaque été, ou sur demande, elle organise des visites guidées de l’espace, auxquelles nous participons avec enthousiasme.

La Maison du Patrimoine est installée dans l’ancien hôtel de ville, au centre du village. Son exposition permanente, à l’aide d’une riche collection d’objets, retrace la vie des habitants de Villard-de-Lans et des 4 Montagnes ainsi que leur histoire du XIXe jusqu’à la moitié du XXe siècle. Au rez-de-chaussée, les expositions temporaires, patrimoniales ou contemporaines se succèdent régulièrement.

The Zaleski Foundation (Zygmunt Zaleski Stichting), named after the founder of the Cyprian Norwid Polish high school, was set up in 1996 by Romain Zaleski, Zygmunt's son. The foundation is our main partner, steadfastly supporting our actions linked to the Polish high school, and more generally those concerning the resistance of Poles during the Second World War.

At our exhibition in London in February 2024, we offered the following thanks: "We cannot emphasize enough how reassuring it is to know that if our projects are worthwhile and if what we produce is flawless, the Foundation is always by our side.”