Thursday, August 15 is a major day of commemorations of the landing in Provence. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the region, franceinfo takes stock of the planned events.
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The year 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the landing in Provence and the liberation of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region by the Allied forces. This landing, less known to the French, was originally supposed to take place at the same time as that of Normandy, on June 6, 1944. Operation “Dragoon” finally took place on August 15 on the French coast.
Around 350,000 men, including 260,000 combatants, arrived on 18 beaches between Cavalaire and Saint-Raphaël, in the Var. Made up mainly of soldiers from North and sub-Saharan Africa, but also from the entire French colonial empire of the time, the army was led by General de Lattre de Tassigny. Thursday, August 15, is synonymous with many commemorations in the region. Here’s what you need to know to attend the ceremonies and events of the day.
A tribute to Saint-Raphaël in the morning
As in 2019, during the 75th anniversary of the landing in Provence, Emmanuel Macron will be present from the early morning at the Boulouris necropolis in Saint-Raphaël, where 464 French army fighters rest.
The President of the Republic will deliver a speech, in the presence of other heads of state and government, notably African. An African president is to speak on behalf of all African delegations, but the names of the personalities present have not yet been revealed. “Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania are particularly invited”the Elysée Palace said.
Veterans will be present and six of them will receive the Legion of Honor from the President of the Republic, in recognition of their participation in the Second World War.
A reconstruction of the Toulon landings
In the early afternoon, the festivities will continue in Toulon. Alongside the French army, several associations will organize a reenactment of the Landing on the Lido beach. Emmanuel Macron and several African heads of state will attend this “historical evocation” from the helicopter carrier amphibious Dixmude.
The day will be full of entertainment on the beaches of Mourillon, Fighter jets will fly over the beaches while units of the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment will reach the mainland. Drops from the second foreign parachute regiment will be carried out if weather conditions permit. The frigate Surcouf The French Navy will also pay tribute to Emmanuel Macron as head of the armed forces. A fan zone will be set up on the beach to watch the show.
Air show, Patrouille de France in the evening…
The day will end with several performances. First, an air show lasting more than an hour on the beaches of Mourillon, while a sea rescue demonstration with a helicopter and a lifeguard from the National Sea Rescue Society will be organized.
Finally, an aerobatic display is expected, followed by a show by the Patrouille de France around 7:15 p.m. To close this day and celebrate the 80th anniversary of the landing in Provence, a fireworks display will set off Fort Saint-Louis around 10 p.m.
Other commemorations to follow
The ceremonies will continue throughout the month of August. On Saturday, August 17, Emmanuel Macron will go, as he does every year, to Bormes-les-Mimosas, to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought inland.
Several exhibitions will be on display on the coast, such as in Toulon and Draguignan. The town of Saint-Maxime is hosting an exhibition of photographs taken on board Allied ships until August 30.
Many festive events will also take place in the Alpes-Maritimes. Events are planned throughout the second half of August, such as on August 24 in Cannes and August 28 in Nice.
Since the Côte d’Azur cities were liberated later, other ceremonies are expected in early September, such as in Menton, on the Italian border. Until October 6, the Mercantour National Park is celebrating this 80th anniversary with the exhibition “The Liberation of Authion and Roya, April 1945”.