This memory circuit included a stop at Place Garibaldi. It was on this mythical square of the Nice metropolis that a wreath-laying took place at the foot of the commemorative plaque of Vincent Boscarolo.
As every year for the past 30 years, the city organizes a memory circuit to celebrate the Liberation of Nice. On August 28, 1944, the mobilization of the Nice insurgents accelerated the departure of the German troops. On that day, 34 fighters gave their lives for the Liberation of Nice. Losing patience under the pressure from insurgents, the German troops blew up the bridge and the lighthouse of Nice. But that was a last resort. The next day, Nice was liberated.
On April 9, 1945, General de Gaulle declared at Place Masséna: “Nice liberated, Nice proud, Nice glorious! Nice never renounced itself, nor renounced France.“
Thus, through this memorial circuit, the city of Nice aims to pay tribute to the 34 resistants who died for the Liberation. At each commemorative plaque, a wreath is laid, and the notes of the Marseillaise are played.
Who was Vincent Boscarolo?
If you’re from Nice, you have almost certainly passed by the plaque without stopping. Located at the corner of Boulevard Jean Jaurès and Place Garibaldi, it was placed in 1945. But who was Vincent Boscarolo, who died for the Liberation of Nice?
Born in Vercelli (Italy, Piedmont) in 1908, he was naturalized French in 1939. Married and father of three children, he joined the Resistance in September 1943 within the CFLN group Léon, company Julien. Particularly committed, he carried out various missions against the German occupier.
During the Nice uprising on August 28, 1944, he participated in skirmishes around Place Garibaldi. In his fight, he killed four German soldiers. His struggle ended when he lost his life around 6 p.m. while retrieving a small cannon in front of the Café de Rome.
