Where to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Landing of Provence?

Saint-Raphaël

Saint-Raphaël is organizing an exceptional week for the 80th anniversary of the Landing of Provence. Official launch on August 10; jazz concert by the Caveau de la Huchette on August 11; outdoor cinema on August 13; military ceremony in Anthéor on August 14; major military ceremonies, ball with orchestra and fireworks on August 15; guinguette ball and fireworks on August 16; concert of the 36th
Division of Texas on August 17. In 2023, the City inaugurated a Memory Trail to retrace the Landing in Saint-Raphaël from the Delayen esplanade to the Pointe de l’Observatoire in Trayas.

Saint Tropez

Monday August 14: parade of military vehicles from the Second World War, quai Suffren-place des Lices at 3:30 p.m.; popular ball, Place de la Mairie at 9 p.m.; mass of remembrance and recognition, Sainte-Anne chapel at 10 p.m.; fireworks on the port at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday August 15: patriotic ceremonies from 9:30 a.m.

Sainte-Maxime

August 14: Flowering of the Fernand Bessy stele at 7 p.m., followed by the patriotic ceremony, parade of the Fifes and Drums Tawpath Volunteers of Macedon Rochester (USA) at 8:45 p.m. and “US Tribute Elvis” evening at the Théâtre de la Mer at 9:30 p.m. August 15: Departure of the procession at 8:15 a.m. by small train, parade of military vehicles from the Pont du Préconil at 11:45 a.m., followed by the wine of honor at the Prince Bertil bowling alley. In the afternoon, exhibition of military vehicles on Place Mermoz and at 10:30 p.m., fireworks and ball at the Théâtre de la Mer and US ball on the Place du Marché.

Grimaud

Grimaud celebrates the Liberation on August 15. The ceremonies will begin in Port Grimaud, at the Libération roundabout then at the village’s War Memorial. A festive evening will follow on the Church Square with the Satin Doll Sisters concert at 9 p.m. A retro vocal group composed exclusively of female voices, embodying the glamor of the 1940s! Without forgetting the traditional fireworks display on the beach of Port Grimaud.

Draguignan

August 13, “Dragoon Liberty March” parade: departure from La Motte, arrival in Draguignan at 6 p.m. on Boulevard Clemenceau. Delta Force 44 commemorative event at American Camp in Angles Garden from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. August 16, patriotic ceremonies in the morning; screening of the film “Var Gendarmes in the Resistance” at 2:30 p.m. at the media library; passage of planes (1 Dakota and 2 T6) at 6 p.m.; parade of vintage vehicles and parachute troops at 8 p.m.; Liberation ball with the Saint Doll Sisters group at 9 p.m. and fireworks.

The Londe

Exhibition replica of a military camp from the Second World War by the Provence 44 association from August 12 to 25 in the Baie des Isles parking lot. Open-air cinema at Camoin Square on the Landing on August 16. August 17, commemorative ceremonies in the morning, parade of Provence 44 vehicles at 6:30 p.m., aperitif and concert on the square in front of the Town Hall at 7:15 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. followed by the Liberation ball with the Mephisto orchestra , from 10:30 p.m. on Place Georges-Gras at Port Miramar.

Hyeres

Hyères celebrates its Liberation on August 21 with laying of wreaths in the morning, a parade of music from the Foreign Legion on the port at 7 p.m., then in the city center between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., with old vehicles from the Provence 44 association. Without forgetting the flight over the Dakota and two P6s at 9:30 p.m. at Place Clémenceau and a concert by the Satin Doll Sisters (vocal quintet against the Libération Française repertoire).

Toulon

Patriotic ceremony at 6 p.m. with reading of messages from veterans. Exhibition of vintage vehicles from the Provence 44 association at Parc Chalucet.

Sanary

Sanary was liberated on August 23, 1944, for this day of commemoration: exhibition of twelve vehicles and tank at the Kiosk. At 10 a.m., gathering in front of the town hall, ceremony in front of the plaque; at 10:30 a.m., parade, ceremony at the Victory monument followed by an aperitif. Concert on the forecourt of the church at 8:30 p.m., fireworks at 10 p.m. then dance at the Bandstand.

Don’t miss our special edition on the Provence Landings, on sale at newsagents all summer.