François de Canson: "With the Tournée, we want to bring people together, celebrate our region and
La Tournée Ça, c'est le Sud returns for a 4th edition with 30 free concerts from July 2 to August 16.
From July 2 to August 16, "La Tournée Ça, c'est le Sud" hits the road again for a fourth edition. On the agenda: thirty dates, free concerts, a new artistic lineup, and an unchanged goal: to showcase the region while raising public awareness about preserving its natural heritage.
After three successful editions, the formula is evolving without losing its DNA. "We are keeping what makes this tour successful while bringing in a few new features," highlights François de Canson, president of the Comité régional de tourisme.
The artistic lineup is renewed with the presence of the Chœur du Sud, accompanied this year by Julie Zenatti and the group Bande à Part.
30 COMMUNES
Regarding the route, the tour makes a stop in 30 communes, with several new towns on the program, including Bandol, Pierrefeu-du-Var, or Arles.
Created in 2023, "La Tournée Ça, c'est le Sud" was born from a simple idea: to offer a free show to all audiences in order to bring residents and vacationers together for a shared moment. "It is a way to bring the Région closer to the territories and to celebrate with all the inhabitants," summarizes François de Canson.
Preserve and Raise Awareness
This tour is a wonderful tool for raising awareness: "We are showing that our region is the most beautiful in the world and that we must preserve it," insists the president of the CRT.
Each evening is an opportunity to recall the essential actions to protect natural spaces. Indeed, a simple cigarette butt thrown on the ground or a poorly controlled barbecue can lead to dramatic consequences.
Since 2018, the Région has launched the "Guerre du feu" program, with over €40 million allocated to strengthen fire prevention and firefighting. This summer, 250 young forest guards are deployed in regional massifs to monitor forests and inform the public.
The issue of water is also at the heart of the messages broadcast. Launched in 2023, the "Plan Or Bleu" mobilizes €620 million by 2038 to secure access to this essential resource.
The Spirit of the Mediterranean Celebration
However, prevention does not mean giving up on conviviality. "All this must not stop us from celebrating. Because it is indeed the Mediterranean spirit that this tour wishes to embody."
"In our part of the world, we love to gather, sing, and dance together. These moments of sharing are precious in the current context."
"Accessible to everyone, the show aims to be popular, family-friendly, and intergenerational, with the desire to protect the purchasing power of both residents and vacationers," insists François de Canson.
A Driving Force for Culture and Tourism
This ambition is part of a region where culture occupies a central place. More than 1,000 festivals are organized there every year, while iconic venues such as the Fondation Maeght, the Fondation Carmignac, the Grotte Cosquer, or the Fondation Vasarely bear witness to the cultural dynamism of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.
Beyond that, the tour contributes to the tourism promotion of the territory. "With these 30 stops, we highlight the diversity of our region," emphasizes the regional vice-president.
With more than €22 billion in economic benefits and 237 million overnight stays each year, tourism is a major driver of the regional economy. In ten years, winter attendance has increased by 13%, a dynamic that the 2030 Winter Olympics should strengthen.
Photo CRT.