Laure-Anne Grondin and Céline Pierre

Cultural and Community Affairs Department of the City of Annemasse

Meet two history enthusiasts: Laure-Anne, a cultural guide, and Céline, head of heritage, archives and memory initiatives. Together, they make Annemasse’s culture accessible and spark visitors’ curiosity through venues such as the Maison des Mémoires.

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Céline Pierre / Anne-Laure Grondin - Maison des Mémoires

“Tell us your stories.”

Laure-Anne Grondin and Céline Pierre

Living History

Two complementary perspectives to help visitors discover Annemasse’s cultural richness. Laure-Anne is a native of the region, where she studied art history first in Grenoble and then in Toulouse. Towards the end of her Master’s degree, she helped organise an exhibition: a project that enabled her to graduate and revealed her interest in cultural mediation. She went on to work on Réunion Island, for the City of Thonon and then for the City of Annemasse as a cultural mediator. Céline, for her part, is passionate about the book and archival sectors. After completing a bachelor’s degree in history followed by a master’s degree in library and archive science in the Paris region, life took her to Haute-Savoie, where she worked as an archivist. She then joined the City of Annemasse as head of archives before becoming head of Heritage, Archives and Memory Promotion.

In their day-to-day work, they bring culture and heritage to life. This involves creating guided tours and itineraries accessible to all audiences. As a cultural mediator, Laure-Anne places great importance on connecting with visitors: their reactions, questions and feedback… Every interaction is enriching. For her part, Céline supports her teams in promoting the town’s history.

The Maison des Mémoires mooring point

Their stories converge at a single location: the Maison des Mémoires, opened in 2025 by the City of Annemasse with the support of the Department and the Foundation for the Memory of the Holocaust. Housed in the former Pax prison, it traces the history of Annemasse and the border during the Second World War. Having followed the project from near or far, both women have vivid memories of the first time they walked through the doors of the completed Maison des Mémoires: it is the culmination of years of thought and hard work. Today, this place enables them to bring a chapter of the past back to life, to pass on their knowledge and to strengthen the bond between local residents and younger generations.

The Maison des Mémoires also aims to showcase other stories from the town, becoming a hub for local memory. It is a symbolic place where Laure-Anne, Céline and the whole team continue to broaden horizons when it comes to culture and heritage.