Saint-Tropez, the war and the Provence landings" exhibition

Free-access exhibition of texts and photos on the Second World War and the D-Day landings in the Saint-Tropez region.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of France, the town of Saint-Tropez is organizing a 31-panel exhibition on the harbour, featuring the highlights of the Second World War in Saint-Tropez and the Gulf, including the Provence landings.

The exhibition opens in the summer of 39, when the already famous town of Saint-Tropez attracts artists and vacationers alike. The festivities were in full swing, despite the dark hours ahead. General mobilization in early September dashed the last hopes of peace. The Drôle de guerre, the Battle of France, the refusal of some to see France give up the fight while others follow Marshal Pétain are all themes evoked before visitors discover the Italian and then German occupation from 1942 to 1944.

The Resistance began to take shape in 1940, and grew stronger from 1943 onwards. Intelligence missions, sabotage, support for the submarines that landed and embarked Resistance fighters and soldiers loyal to General de Gaulle made up the daily life of the local Resistance. Their role contributed to the success of the Provence landings, which began on the night of August 14 to 15 with an Anglo-American airborne operation, before French commandos and American divisions stormed the coast between the islands of Hyères and Théoule-sur-Mer, supported by 2,250 ships. Over 350,000 American, French and British troops landed, including 60,000 on the first day.

Once liberated, Saint-Tropez had to rebuild, and the beaches were cleared of mines as quickly as possible, as summer visitors were already returning in 1945.

Exhibition extended to May 11, 2025