
La Gazette du Var
Edition No. 256
Published on March 9, 2026
Articles in this issue

A tribute to regional textile heritage
The Vintage Fashion Market took place at the Palais Neptune in Toulon. It brought together over 80 exhibitors and nearly 7,000 visitors.
At Toulon's Palais Neptune, the latest Marché de la Mode Vintage highlighted regional textile heritage, an often unrecognized part of...
An initiative combining sport and solidarity
220 student drivers are expected for a charity race at the Circuit Paul Ricard.

An Olympic legacy facing economic reality
CDOS du Var celebrated its 50th anniversary on January 22. A young apprentice lifeguard was honored.
The institution celebrated its 50th anniversary under the banner of heroism and commitment.

2025 economic and tourist report, a private village under pressure
Port Grimaud recorded a record 1.4 million visitors in 2025. This private village suffers from mass tourism without profiting from it.
As the Côte d’Azur continues to attract record crowds, Port Grimaud, a private lake village founded in the 1960s, draws up an economic report...

Security and daily life: Philippe Leonelli praises the Republic of proximity
The mayor of Cavalaire, Philippe Leonelli, presented his vision focused on security and daily life. He highlighted key projects such as EcoBleu and the Maison de la Nature.
Mayor Philippe Leonelli went beyond traditional wishes to map out a future for Cavalaire resolutely focused on the long term.
The Fable of the Remarkable Natural Area
In Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer, 55 landowners are barred from building on fully serviced plots. Administrative decisions reclassified the area as non-buildable.
Under the leaden sun crushing the Maures, the cicadas' song doesn't drown out an injustice. On the Côte d'Azur, the promised land sometimes has...
Thierry Maréchal, elected president of the SNDGCT du Var
Thierry Maréchal, Directeur Général des Services of Le Lavandou, was elected president of the Var department section of the SNDGCT.

Jean-Baptiste Quinon has taken over the reins of “Cap Favière”
The traders' association "Cap Favière" in Bormes-les-Mimosas resumed its activity on October 2. Jean-Baptiste Quinon is the new president.
After a brief, worrying hibernation, the “Cap Favière” merchants' association is back on track thanks to a new team led by...

The seascapes and landscapes of Florence Gillot
Florence Gillot exhibited her marine paintings in La Londe-les-Maures. The local artist draws inspiration from Provençal landscapes.
She recently presented her works "Face à la mer" at Galerie Horace Vernet in Londe-les-Maures, a dive into Provençal landscapes.

François de Canson celebrates the excellence that makes the city shine
François de Canson honored exceptional residents in La Londe-les-Maures. Local artisans, farmers, and athletes were celebrated for their achievements.
François de Canson highlighted the artisans, athletes, and farmers whose individual successes are the collective pride of the municipality.

A world premiere for the 3rd edition of the Nocturnes
Les Nocturnes festival returns to Solliès-Pont from June 30 to July 4. Seven concerts will take place at Château Forbin.
The festival 'Les Nocturnes à Solliès-Pont' is about to make its comeback at Château Forbin for a third edition that promises to be rich in...

An unexpected rebirth for the Souvenir Français section
Threatened with extinction in 2022, the Farlède branch of Souvenir Français was saved. Membership grew from 6 to 95 in three years.
The farlédoise section of the Souvenir Français recently hosted the annual assembly of the Vallée du Gapeau committee, of which it is a key part.

Fleurette Hyères, a family story
Founded in 1974 in Hyères, the family business Fleurette Hyères grows France's last Mediterranean carnations. Gil Sallès and his son Lucas combine horticultural tradition with modern innovation.
In the Notre Dame du Plan du Pont district, a family passion for horticulture flourishes through the operation of Fleurette Hyères.

Stéphane Rambaud: 'Change is no longer a hypothesis, it has become a necessity'
During his New Year address, MP Stéphane Rambaud criticized the government and launched the 2026 local elections campaign. He also proposed a coastal protection project in Giens.
On the occasion of his wishes, Stéphane Rambaud, MP for Var's 3rd constituency, drew a highly critical assessment of 2025 and mobilized his troops to...

Le Studio des Arts makes Le Pradet of Saint-Raphaël shine in Paris
Studio des Arts from Le Pradet excels in competition. Four students qualified for the Paris finals.
Le Studio des Arts, a dance, theater and singing school based in la Bayette and run by the passionate Laura Colin, delivered an outstanding performance...

A Borne Musicale Mélo, a breath of joy and music
Le Pardigaou nursing home received a Mélo Music Jukebox. It was donated by Les Blouses Roses and the Lions Club.
EHPAD Le Pardigaou now has a Borne Musicale Mélo, an innovative device donated by the Blouses Roses in collaboration with the Lions Club.

The 12th edition promises a festive and colorful journey
The Sarava association is organizing its 12th Brazil Carnival evening on March 28 at Espace des Arts.

The CCAS multiplies solidarity actions
The CCAS is increasing local and international solidarity actions. Food aid and hygiene products were distributed.
Throughout the year, the Centre Communal d’Action Sociale (CCAS) is heavily mobilized with its partners to support people in need.

Foot soldiers with their feet in the Mediterranean
On February 4, the 126th Infantry Regiment conducted an amphibious landing in Var. This exercise serves as preparation for ORION 26.
On February 4, a strike force of Corrèze foot soldiers and sailors took over the Var coastline for a spectacular dress rehearsal before...

La Marine deploys high intensity on the Var coasts
On February 4, an amphibious landing took place on Les Salins beach in Var. This military exercise prepares French forces for high-intensity conflicts.
On February 4, the famous plage des Salins left its winter quiet to become the scene of a spectacular amphibious landing, a prelude...

Var boosts middle school students' career guidance
On February 12, the collège Cousteau in La Garde buzzed with the rhythm of professional careers!

Clémentine Buguette and Marine Berton, a passion for the stage
The theatre company Les Demoiselles du Rocher celebrates its tenth anniversary. It offers workshops and shows for all audiences.
After ten years, Les Demoiselles du Rocher continue with the same conviction: making theatre a place of encounter, emotion, and...

Place des Oliviers, a more serene and sustainable setting
The former Place des Pins has been redesigned and renamed Place des Oliviers. This project meets residents' needs and addresses climate challenges.
At the request of residents, the Municipalité redesigned the former place des Pins, which is now adorned with beautiful olive trees.

Thierry Albertini: “The mayor cannot do everything”
Mayor Thierry Albertini addressed elected officials and citizens. He highlighted the limits of municipal power amidst heavy regulations.
Before an audience of elected officials and citizens, the mayor highlighted the limits of municipal power in an unstable France, while calling for...

362 inspection operations in 2025
On February 9, the préfet du Var and the procureur de la République près le tribunal judiciaire de Toulon co-chaired the annual plenary meeting of the comité...

Widening the A57 reduces traffic jams
According to TomTom, traffic congestion in Toulon dropped thanks to the A57 widening. It is a rare exception in France.
While the 2026 TomTom index shows rising congestion in most French cities, the Toulon area stands out as a clear exception.

An essential cog in the surveillance of maritime approaches
19 Mediterranean lookout posts monitor 2,000 km of French coastline around the clock. Navy personnel track vessels and secure maritime approaches.
Key players in France's permanent maritime safeguard posture, semaphores are an essential cog in the surveillance of approaches...

The Pôle Écoles Méditerranée in the high-technology era
Vice-Admiral Xavier Tourneux visited the Pôle Écoles Méditerranée in Saint-Mandrier. The site trains over 8,500 students yearly.
On January 31, vice-amiral Xavier Tourneux, deputy to the director of personnel of the Marine nationale, visited the Pôle Écoles Méditerranée to observe...

The Prefect of Var intensifies the economic war against drug trafficking
The Var prefect presented the 2025 crime report. Drug-related offenses dropped by 5.4% in the department.
While drug-related crime is exploding nationally, Var shows a significant 5.4% drop in offenses in 2025.

Véronique Maurel intends to weigh in on upcoming elections
Véronique Maurel, UPV president, rallies Var businesses. She urges employer autonomy amid rising fiscal pressures.
The president of the Union Patronale du Var (UPV) unveiled a 2026 roadmap focused on offensive action and entrepreneurial autonomy.

Over 500 visitors at the “Cap vers l'Emploi” forum
The "Cap vers l'Emploi" job fair took place in Pierrefeu-du-Var. Over 500 visitors met with around fifty recruiters.
In Pierrefeu-du-Var, the 4th edition of the “Cap vers l'Emploi” forum attracted over 500 visitors who came to meet recruiters.

60 local youth at the heart of space innovation
Sixty students took part in a 24-hour space hackathon at ISEN in Toulon. Four teams received awards from the jury.
From January 30 to 31, around sixty students from the region gathered at the ISEN engineering school to take part in the Toulon edition of the hackathon...

Innovating and strengthening its impact, FACE Var's goals for 2026
FACE Var presented its 2026 goals on January 29. The association focuses on social inclusion and CSR.
The FACE Var association started the year 2026 with a new ambition and the continuation of its integration commitments.

Charles Berling: 'The 2026 edition will be the last I will have the honor of presenting'
Charles Berling will step down from Châteauvallon-Liberté after the 2026 edition. The summer festival begins June 26.
The Châteauvallon-Liberté national theatre unveiled its Summer Festival program (June 26 to July 28, 2026), an edition marked by the presence of...

Laure Lavalette wants to prepare the maritime future of Toulon
RN candidate Laure Lavalette strengthens her list in Toulon. Emmanuel Le Lostec and Vice-Admiral Jacques Mallard join her.
If elected mayor of Toulon, Laure Lavalette will entrust Jacques Mallard with the mission of deputy for the sea.

Renaud Muselier deploys “a social shield”
Renaud Muselier presented his roadmap for the PACA region. It focuses on healthcare, safety, and water management.
The president of the Région Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur unveiled a roadmap focused on proximity, making access to care and security a priority.