Mémorial du débarquement et de la libération de Provence

About the museum

The Mémorial du Mont-Faron stands on the summit of the Faron, above Toulon, in the Tour Beaumont, a small coastal lookout fort built in 1845. It commemorates the Allied landing in Provence on 15 August 1944 and the liberation of the region. It was designed by the architect Pierre Pascalet, who added low buildings to the tower, and it was inaugurated by General de Gaulle on 15 August 1964.

Before that, the tower housed a small museum dedicated to the liberators of Toulon from 1958. The current memorial was renovated and reopened to the public in April 2017. It is one of the Hauts lieux de la mémoire nationale of the Ministry of the Armed Forces and is run by the Office national des combattants et des victimes de guerre.

The visit places the Provence campaign within the history of the Second World War and pays tribute to the fighters who came from all walks of life: Free French, African soldiers, Allies and members of the Resistance. It draws on collection objects, archive images, testimonies and a large audiovisual show. Military equipment is displayed outdoors, and the terrace offers a view over the roadstead of Toulon.

Highlights

• Tour Beaumont from 1845 on the summit of Mont Faron
• Around 200 collection objects and multimedia displays
• Large audiovisual show on the Provence landing
• Military equipment displayed outdoors, including a Sherman tank
• Terrace with a view over the roadstead of Toulon

Permanent exhibitions

• Exposition permanente du mémorial – Collection objects, archive images, testimonies and multimedia on the Provence landing and the liberation.
• Grand spectacle audiovisuel – Giant-screen projection tracing the landing operations hour by hour through to the liberation of Provence.

Founded

1964

Operated by

Office national des combattants et des victimes de guerre (ONaCVG), ministère des Armées

Admission & discounts

Also free for veterans, military personnel, staff of the Defence ministry and ONaCVG, school escorts (subject to conditions), coach drivers and tourist guides. The cable-car ticket is sold separately.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Access to the building is difficult for visitors with reduced mobility: human assistance is needed to climb the slope. A wheelchair and four seat canes are available. There are toilets with grab bars, seating areas, trained staff, and documentation in easy-to-read-and-understand language (FALC). An audio headset helps visually impaired visitors, and visits can be adapted with a mediator.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The memorial is at the summit of Mont Faron. The Route du Faron is closed to traffic from 21:00 in July and August; in case of severe fire risk, the road and the cable car close.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop and tourist information. Defibrillator on site. Animals are not admitted.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit