A political project
The idea for a centre was formed in the 1990s, when the need to record, conserve and hand down the memory of Valence’s citizens of Armenian origin came to light within local associations, with the support of Valence’s elected representatives. A scientific committee was therefore set up by Valence City Council, with the task of considering the pertinence of founding a centre and to outline the purposes it would serve.
After the year 2000, the project took on a new dimension: the idea was to invoke the history of Valence’s citizens with Armenian origins, taking that as a starting point for a wider reflection on exile, genocides, diasporas and cultural diversity.
The Armenian Heritage Centre was inaugurated on 11 June 2005.
From June 2016 to June 2018, The Armenian Heritage Centre underwent work which allowed it to increase its capacities and facilities. It initially covered 450m2 and it opened in September 2018 with an area of nearly 1100m2 for hosting visitors and exhibitions.