A memorial route to honor the 1944 liberators
For the 82nd anniversary of its Liberation, the Ville de Hyères organized a commemorative route in tribute to resistance fighters and soldiers.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Stéphane Rambaud, MP for the 3rd constituency of Var, François de Canson, vice-president of the Région, and Véronique Bernardini, mayor of Hyères.
After four years of occupation and deprivation, the town regained its freedom in August 1944, just a few days after the Débarquement de Provence.
A route in five emblematic stages
The memory of these crucial days is retraced through a memorial route connecting five emblematic locations of the fighting and sacrifices.
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The day of commemoration began at the cemetery of la Ritorte, with a first tribute paid to the Résistants, civilians, and soldiers who fell for France, recalling the heavy toll paid by families.
The route continued in Pyanet, in front of the stele dedicated to the fighters and French forces engaged under the orders of Général de Lattre de Tassigny.
Participants then went to the blockhaus de Mauvanne, following the footsteps of the soldiers of the 1ère Division française libre (DFL). The remains of the German positions still bear witness to the violence of the clashes that marked the advance of the liberators towards Hyères.
Another moment of contemplation took place in front of the stele of the 1ère DFL, near the Golf-Hôtel, in tribute to the hundreds of soldiers of this division who lost their lives during the campaign de Provence.
The route ended at the caserne Delort, where a final tribute was paid to all those who played a part in the Liberation.
Photos Philippe OLIVIER.