Stèle de la 1ère DFL - Square du Souvenir

A stele in honor of the 1st Division Française Libre (DFL) stands in the shade of the cypress and pine trees in the Jardin des Souvenirs. In addition to liberating La Croix-Valmer, this army corps played a major role in the reconquest of the French territory. In the wake of defeat, General de Gaulle's June 18, 1940 appeal rallied volunteers from all over the world. Forming Free French units, these soldiers fought against enemy forces, particularly in Africa, until 1943.
In 1944, forming the 1st Free French Division, they joined the army commanded by General de Lattre de Tassigny and took part in the liberation of France.
On August 17, 1944, the 1st DFL landed on the Douane beach at La Croix-Valmer and continued its advance to support the Allies and liberate Toulon, then Marseille, before heading up the Rhône valley.
The sign at the D-Day roundabout reads "Ici que commence la route de la 1ère DFL" ("Here begins the road of the 1st DFL").