
La Gazette du Var
Edition No. 261
Published on May 15, 2026
Articles in this issue

An exceptional 2026 vintage
The 57th French Olympic Week concluded in Hyères after six days of competition. The event brought together 705 athletes from 59 nations and tested a new final format.
Boosted by ideal conditions and a strong international lineup, the 57th Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères delivered on all its promises...

At the musée du Niel, a manifesto for color
The musée du Niel in Hyères is hosting the exhibition 'Abstraction is a color' until November 1st. It features 26 major artists from the second half of the 20th century.
The museum explores the links between color and 20th-century abstraction through 26 major artists.

A day of remembrance for young Londais
As part of passing on memory, the 10 members of the Conseil Municipal des Jeunes of La Londe-les-Maures and their supervisors Mmes Fouque and...

Philippe Leonelli: “A town is not run on excuses”
In Cavalaire-sur-Mer, former mayor Philippe Leonelli rejects the new municipal team's accusations. He defends the financial management of his major local projects.
Former mayor Philippe Leonelli and his team accuse the new municipality of distorting the reality of the Port and Cœur de Ville projects.

Charles, 13: "It was great, we took part in editing a film"
Nineteen teenagers from Le Lavandou explored Rome during a cultural trip. The municipal initiative aimed to foster youth autonomy.
Nineteen teenagers, supervised by the youth service, explored the treasures of Rome during a cultural and immersive trip.

François de Canson: 'If I accept the Légion d’honneur, it is because it is collective'
François de Canson received the Légion d'honneur on April 30. The official dedicated the award to his team and family.
The mayor received the Légion d'honneur, dedicating this award to his collective path and his family and political mentors.

A new class of flight deck specialists
On April 24, 19 sailors graduated from the flight deck personnel school in Solliès-Pont. They will soon join French Navy vessels.
On April 24, the École du personnel de pont d’envol graduated 19 sailors who will serve on Navy ships.
Exemplary landscaping projects
The Victoires du Paysage contest highlights exemplary landscaping projects. The PACA region stands out for its sustainable developments.
Organized by VALHOR, this national competition has rewarded French horticulture, floristry and landscape developments for nearly twenty years.

A journey through the history of naval aviation
The Naval Aeronautics Tradition Space was inaugurated in Hyères. This 300 m² museum traces the history of maritime aviation since 1910.
Inaugurated in late 2024, the Espace de Tradition de l’Aéronautique Navale of BAN Hyères is a pillar of maritime and aviation memory in southern France.
The private banking expertise of La Banque Postale
Louvre Banque Privée inaugurated its first Var space in Hyères. It is located inside the Hyères Centre post office.
La Banque Postale is continuing the development of its private bank and has inaugurated the first Louvre Banque Privée space in the Var.

A tribute to human dignity in the face of barbarism
On April 26, Stéphane Rambaud commemorated Deportation Day in Le Pradet and Hyères. The Var MP urged the transmission of this memory to youth.
On April 26, Stéphane Rambaud, MP for Var's 3rd constituency, commemorated Deportation Day and stressed the importance of remembrance...
A month of May to question the changes in our world
Philosopher Philippe Granarolo hosts several lectures in Var this May. Topics include ecology, societal collapse, and online philosophy.
Philosopher and lecturer Philippe Granarolo offers the public a month of May rich in reflections and debates on topics as varied as...

A new award for baker Damien Maillot
Damien Maillot won 3rd place in the Var best country bread contest. The award was presented on April 29 at his bakery Le Fournil d’Emy.
Located in the heart of La Garonne, Damien Maillot's bakery Le Fournil d’Emy has established itself over the years as a must-visit address.

Spring arrives with a bang with the 'O Fêtes pradétanes'
From April 24 to 26, Le Pradet lived three days under the sign of good humor, gathering residents and visitors around varied and festive activities.

Life stories brought to light
In La Garde, the "Souvenirs partagés" exhibition highlighted the life stories of ten isolated seniors. The project was led by two civic service volunteers.
At the initiative of the Petits Frères des Pauvres, an exhibition brought to life the memories of 10 elderly people.

Charles Berling meets high school students passionate about cinema
On April 29, film-studies seniors from lycée du Coudon in La Garde met Charles Berling as part of the event.

23 intense years of encounters and life moments
Ulrick Théaud, voted best portrait photographer in France, held an exhibition in La Valette. It featured 101 black and white portraits.
Ulrick Théaud, a photographer from La Valette, was elected best portraitist of France.
The Toulon Forever Instagram competition celebrates its 10th anniversary
The Toulon Forever Instagram photo contest celebrates its 10th anniversary. Photographers can submit photos until May 31.
For its 10th anniversary, the Toulon Forever Instagram contest invites photographers to capture the city until May 31.

Goldenshop revolutionizes gold buying
Goldenshop has opened a gold buying agency near Place d'Armes. Free evaluations cover precious metals and watches.
Next to the place d’Armes, a Goldenshop network gold buying agency stands out as a trusted player in a sector often criticized for...
An artistic bridge between Brésil and France
The Mairie d'Honneur hosted Suzana Dessalien's exhibition in April. The French-Brazilian artist displayed her colorful artworks.
From April 1 to 24, Mairie d'Honneur exhibited the blended works of Franco-Brésilienne artist Suzana Dessalien, a poetic and colorful journey.

The anse Méjean site closed for work
Anse Méjean in Toulon is closed for urgent repairs. The cliff is being stabilized following landslides.
The Ville de Toulon and the Métropole have launched emergency work at anse Méjean, closed to the public, to stabilize the cliff.

Toulon, a major player in recruitment
The Labour Minister visited Var on April 23. The trip focused on supporting recruitment in defense industries.
On April 23, the ministre du Travail et des Solidarités, Jean-Pierre Farandou, was in Var to support employment in defense industries.
“The transparency of public broadcasting is a democratic requirement”
Unionist Max Bauer welcomes the parliamentary report on public broadcasting. He demands total transparency regarding the use of public funds.
Agricultural unionist Max Bauer welcomes the inquiry report on public broadcasting, calling for total transparency in the management of public funds.

A conference-event for the tenth anniversary of UTL6
UTL6 celebrated its tenth anniversary with a musical lecture on Nietzsche. Pianist Florence Schaaff performed to a packed auditorium.
On April 28, the Université du Temps Libre La Garde - Le Pradet celebrated its tenth anniversary with an exceptional event.

A Strategic Response to Climate Change
The 'Var Bleu' project was launched in Rians to secure water supply in Var. It includes a 52 km pipeline and network extensions.
In Rians, the Région Sud and the Département du Var launched Var Bleu, a vast network to secure water resources in the face of droughts.

Joseph Merrien takes office amid falling crime rates
Chief Commissioner Joseph Merrien took office in Toulon on April 29. His appointment comes amid falling crime rates in Var.
Commissioner General Joseph Merrien has been installed in Toulon amid strong security results for the start of 2026.

Var commemorates the victims and heroes of the deportation
On April 26, the Var department commemorated the victims of deportation. A ceremony took place at the Toulon Memorial.
On April 26, the ceremony for the National Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Deportation was held in many municipalities of Var.

"Le jour se lève", a show blending dance, song and musical
The 'Le jour se lève' association presents its show on June 28 at Zénith de Toulon. Nearly 80 amateur students will perform on stage.
Living in Var for six years, Jean-Pierre Savelli and his wife Sandry have turned their association "Le jour se lève" into a true home...

On Bendor island, the rebirth of a Mediterranean jewel
Bendor island reopened on May 1st after five years of work. Société Paul Ricard and Zannier Hotels inaugurated it.
Société Paul Ricard and Zannier Hotels have inaugurated the transformed Bendor island, which opened to the public on May 1st after five years of work.

Tourism, a proven economic power
Région Sud accounts for 65% of French tourism growth. The region promotes a sustainable year-round model.
Région Sud accounts for 65% of French tourism growth.

In 2026, 210,000 hiring projects in PACA
In 2026, PACA records nearly 210,000 hiring plans. Recruitment activity remains strong despite a slight drop.
Despite an uncertain economic context, hiring intentions in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur remain at a high level.

“In ten years, the Région has consolidated its leading position”
Région Sud launched its 2026 tourist season from Ramatuelle. The sector now generates 22 billion euros in economic benefits.
Région Sud has launched its 2026 tourist season by revealing an ambitious strategy. To maintain this position, a study on tourist accommodation...