Francesc Macià's former residence in Prats de Molló has opened as a space for memory and cultural activities. Casa Macià was inaugurated on 8 November 2026, a century after the events associated with the town: Macià's attempted military incursion into Catalonia from France against the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera, which lasted from 1923 to 1930.
Carles Puigdemont attended the opening during an unexpected visit to the town in Northern Catalonia, in France's Vallespir region, 13 kilometres from the Spanish border. 3Cat reported the visit. Former Generalitat presidents Jordi Pujol and Pere Aragonès also attended the centenary inauguration.
The initiative aims to recover the building where Macià lived. Known as Villa Denise, the 240-square-metre residence has been converted into a historical interpretation and cultural centre. It houses an exhibition and spaces for cultural programming, as well as the ground-floor room where Macià held operational meetings. A private individual bought the house in 2020, and a foundation was later created to develop the project. Former Catalan government minister Lluís Puig chairs the foundation.
Macià settled at Villa Denise in November 1926 to organize an armed operation from French territory. The plan aimed to cross into Catalonia, overthrow the dictatorship and promote a Catalan republic or independence. French authorities uncovered the conspiracy before the incursion could take place. On 4 November 1926, the French gendarmerie entered the house and arrested Macià. More than 20 relatives of people involved in the plot were expected at the centenary activities, Ara reported.
Former presidents of the Generalitat also sit on its board. Puigdemont and Aragonès are members, as is Torra.
Puigdemont visited the house in 2020 for a tribute to Macià, laying flowers with Claude Ferrer, the mayor of the French town. Heritage coverage has also examined historic sites elsewhere in Spain, including Icomos's review in Santiago. The Casa Macià initiative focuses on creating a memory space in the former residence.
