On December 2, 1959, at past 21 p.m., the tranquility of the night was brutally shattered. The Malpasset dam, a symbol of engineering, had just given way. In an instant, a monstrous wave nearly 50 meters high raged over Fréjus, taking with it hope and life. The toll was tragic: 423 lives were extinguished, and no Fréjus family remained unscathed. This catastrophe, one of the most devastating in French history, reminds us of the fragility of our existence.
Today, the ruins of the dam lie in the valley, silent witnesses to this tragedy. They provide a framework for understanding this drama, asking essential questions: Why did the dam collapse? Could this catastrophe have been avoided? How could such a calamity have occurred?
Prices for “The Malpasset Dam: at the heart of a disaster”
Categories | Admission fees |
---|---|
Full price | €8 |
Reduced rate (12-17 years old) | €5 |
Less than 12 years | Free |
For Jérémy, our tour guide, this visit is the ideal opportunity to discover Fréjus from a new angle:
- Because walking between these gigantic blocks is an impressive experience in itself.
- And to understand the tragedy that shook France, by listening to the fascinating story of this place that has become symbolic