Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Nazi Germany occupies France, establishing a puppet state led by ageing WWI hero
General Pétain in Vichy; Provence is liberated two months after D-Day.
1946
The first international film festival opens at Cannes' old casino, and is a smashing suc-
cess, helping revive postwar life on the coast.
1947
Vallée de La Roya, in eastern Provence, which had been occupied by the Italians dur-
ing WWII, is returned to France.
1956
Rainier Louis Henri Maxence Bertrand Grimaldi, Count of Polignac, aka Prince Raini-
er III of Monaco, weds his fairy-tale princess, Hollywood film legend Grace Kelly.
2000
European leaders meet in Nice to thrash out future EU expansion. Not without contro-
versy, they establish a new system of voting in the Council of Ministers.
2002
The French franc, first minted in 1360, is dumped on the scrap heap of history as the
country adopts the euro as its official currency.
2005
After the end of a three-month mourning period for his father, Prince Albert II of
Monaco is crowned monarch of the world's second-smallest country.
2008
Marseille and Aix celebrate as they're voted Capital of Culture for 2013, and the cities
begin to prepare for hosting the big year of events.
