The Provence Landing Memorial
A meeting with historyThe D-Day memorial: immersion in history
At the top of Mount Faron, the Beaumont Tower overlooks Toulon, and since 1959 has been home to a major historical site: the Provence Landing Memorial. In this immersive place of remembrance dedicated to the liberation of the region, you plunge into a decisive page of history. The countdown to D-Day is underway: you can follow the events and stakeholders that shaped history, and relive the decisive moments that changed France’s destiny.
5 good reasons to visit the Provence Landing Memorial
- Relive with emotion a major historical period
- Explore a page of history in an interactive and immersive way
- Paying tribute to the men and women who have left their mark on history
- Understanding the impact of past events on today’s world
- Enjoy a unique view of Toulon and its harbor
The Provencal Landing Memorial, a historic heritage site
Once you’ve reached the summit of Mount Faron, you’ll quickly catch sight of the Beaumont Tower, a 19th-century military fortification. Standing on a rocky promontory, it houses the Memorial and, from its belvedere, offers a breathtaking 360° view of Toulon, the Mediterranean coast and the surrounding mountains. As you enter, the symbolic setting is noticeable: cannon, tank and period tank greet you, and you’re already at the heart of history.
Our advice
Before you visit, check the Memorial’s opening days and times. For a completely worry-free experience, opt for the cable car-Memorial pass, on sale at Tourist Office reception desks.
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Landing in Provence: D-730
As you enter the Memorial grounds, you are seized in the moment by the historical charge of the place. As soon as you enter the first room, you’ll realize that a countdown invites you to relive the most important stages leading up to D-Day and the liberation of Provence from the German yoke. The educational, immersive approach puts you at the heart of the operations, but also in the daily lives of the liberators, soldiers and resistance fighters.
Operation Anvil-Dragoon, which led to the liberation of Toulon and, more broadly, Provence, is revealed as you make your way through the Memorial. A display of objects that belonged to soldiers and members of the Resistance, as well as combat outfits and weapons, illustrate your visit. Archival photos and heart-rending correspondence bear witness to the daily lives of civilians under occupation, and the harsh conditions they endured during the bombardments.
Extend your visit
As you leave the Memorial, take time to explore the grounds. Further east, on the Faron road, the Notre-Dame-du-Faron sanctuary – housed in a former powder magazine – and the Croix-Faron fort are also precious reminders of the Second World War. From the top of Mount Faron, the panoramic viewpoint is ideal for taking great photos and a memorable souvenir of your visit.
Parking nearby
Bus 40 Super-Toulon
Accessible by cable car
How to get to the Memorial
By car from the town center, follow signs for “Toulon nord – Mont Faron”, then “Téléphérique – Mémorial” on a one-way road (uphill to the west, downhill to the east).
Take the cable car to the departure station at 2, boulevard Amiral Vence. To get there, take bus line 40 “Super Toulon – Mas du Faron”, stop “Téléphérique”.
Focus on
The National Marine Museum
Relive 400 years of maritime and naval history in Toulon: the National Marine Museum is a veritable reminder of the arsenal and the penal colony, and its rich collection of models, paintings and objects retraces the major milestones in the harbor’s history.