On 16 August 2025, Thonon-les-Bains celebrates its Liberation!

To commemorate this symbolic date, the Thonon-les-Bains Tourist Office invites you to a festive and free evening.

On the programme: a spectacular air show by the French Air Force Aerobatic Team (EVAAE), followed by a fireworks display over Lake Geneva. To round off the evening, enjoy a popular dance on the Belvédère!

This date is not insignificant. On 17 August 1944, Thonon-les-Bains was liberated by the Forces Françaises de l’Intérieur, following a vast Resistance operation throughout the département. Haute-Savoie was the first French territory to be liberated by its own forces, in the heart of the German Occupation Zone. This evening is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the 17 members of the Resistance who fell in the fighting for the town.

The evening is part of a wider programme of events to mark 16 August, including the commemorative ceremony in the morning and the FISE Xperience Series (Festival International des Sports Extrêmes), a sporting event featuring competitions and demonstrations in urban disciplines such as BMX, skateboarding and freestyle scootering.

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Aerobatics show by the French Air and Space Force

📅 16 August 2025 | 🕘 6.00 pm | 📍 Port de Rives | 🎯 Free access

The festivities take to the skies over Thonon-les-Bains.

At 6.00pm, the French Air Force Aerobatic Team (Équipe de Voltige de l’Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace – EVAAE) will pay tribute to the Liberation of the town with a spectacular aerial demonstration over Lake Geneva.

On the programme:

  • Acrobatic manoeuvres by several aerobatic aircraft.
  • Participation of two historic aircraft, including a biplane emblematic of aviation.
  • Formation flights, artistic figures and low-level passes.

An aerial ballet to admire with your eyes raised to the sky.

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Fireworks display

📅 16 August 2025 | 🕘 10pm | 📍 Belvédère | 🎯 Free access

An explosion of light to celebrate freedom.

As night falls, all eyes will turn to the lake for a large-scale fireworks display fired from Lake Geneva. This colourful pyrotechnic spectacle will light up the city and thrill the hearts of spectators.

Don’t miss it :

  • A breathtaking view from the quays or the heights of Thonon.
  • Bewitching reflections on the waters of the lake.

The fireworks will mark a turning point in the evening… before giving way to the popular dance!

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Popular ball

📅 16 August 2025 | 🕘 From 10.30pm | 📍 Belvédère | 🎯 Free access

The evening continues with music, in a setting overlooking Lake Geneva.

After the fireworks, the festivities continue at the Belvédère with the traditional popular dance, a great opportunity for conviviality and sharing.

On the programme:

  • Festive DJ set for all ages
  • 80s, funk and Latino atmosphere
  • An open-air space to dance, meet up and celebrate together

Come and enjoy the music as we round off the evening of 16 August in a joyous, good-humoured tribute to freedom regained.

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Practical information

Do you want to make the most of the free evening without worrying about the journey back to the town centre?

Don’t worry, for the festivities on 16 August, the Thonon-les-Bains Funicular will be exceptionally free from 5pm to midnight!

There will be a refreshment bar and a snack bar on site to keep you entertained throughout the evening.

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