This is Join Us in France Episode 349.  Bonjour, I’m Annie Sargent and Join Us in France is the podcast where we look around France so you can best enjoy France as a destination. We talk about places you might want to visit in France, French news that relate to travel, French culture, history, gastronomy, and everything it takes to have a great time in France.

Today I bring you a conversation with Elyse Rivin about the liberation of the Mediterranean in 1944. We’ve talked about the incredible feats of valor surrounding the liberation of France via Normandy, but that was only part of the job. Lots of Allied troops participated in the liberation of Algeria, Corsica and Provence all around the Mediterranean.

And, unlike Normandy, 50% of the troops who participated were French. But the liberation of the Mediterranean wasn't only done by French soldiers! I bet some of you have relatives who fought in those battles and they rarely get acknowledged because all we ever talk about is Normandy. Aug 15th marks the 77th anniversary of the landing of Allied troops in Provence and it’s an amazing story that Elyse and I will share with you now.

This time the France travel update on how to get your health pass and QR code is at the beginning of my discussion with Elyse and not after the interview. Stay tuned for that.

If you like what we do here at Join Us in France, consider supporting us by visiting Annie's boutique to check out my cookbook Join Us at the Table, my self-guided VoiceMap tours and my services such as my itinerary review where I help you craft the best vacation in France specifically for YOU.

This episode features my frequent guest Elyse Rivin. You can book a tour with her through her website and you can also support her on Patreon.

Remember that there were 3 major military operations to push back Germans in the  Mediterranean:

1. Operation Torch (North Africa November 1942)
2. Operation Vésuve (Corsica October 1943)
3. Anvil Dragoon (Provence August 1944)

German Bunkers you can see in Provence:

• Blockhaus des Goudes
• Bunker Faben (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat)

Full show notes for this episode are here: https://joinusinfrance.com/349

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