Marc Lavoine: why is his concert in Saint-Tropez at the heart of a controversy?

While Marc Lavoine gives an intimate concert in Saint-Tropez on August 15, 2023, the town hall has decreed that only residents of the city will be able to go there. Enough to piss off fans and tourists, underlines Le Parisien, August 12, 2023.

The famous melodies of singer Marc Lavoine will resonate on Tuesday August 15, 2023 within the majestic Citadel of Saint-Tropez. A most intimate piano-voice concert, on the heights of this well-known village in the Var... But not everyone will be able to enjoy it! Indeed, this event was orchestrated by the city's municipality, in homage to its inhabitants, and its inhabitants only, since August 15 is also the date of the Liberation of Saint-Tropez by the allies, in 1944. Tourists , present in numbers at this time of year in this very touristy city, will not be able to come and attend this free concert. An "injustice" for some which quickly created controversy... "It's unfair. We save all year to pay for a few days here and, once there is a free event, we cannot not go there", testify two visitors to Le Parisien, on August 12, 2023.

The town hall assumes this choice
But the municipality accepts this choice made by tradition: every year, there is a concert reserved for locals. “It’s a special evening reserved for Tropéziens. It’s once a year and to please the residents,” she explains. And if some point out that the tourist tax, paid by vacationers, does not entirely benefit them, a tourism professional explained how this is possible to our colleagues: "The revenue from the tourist tax is intended to encourage attendance tourism of a territory and its actions. At the free choice of the municipality. For attendance, Saint-Tropez has no problems. For its actions, the city is sovereign. Residents of the city will therefore be able to collect their personal, non-transferable invitation, one per household, valid for two people, at the city hall with proof of address. The others will perhaps be able to hear a few notes of Elle A Les Yeux Revolver from afar... Or be content with the activities that will take place on the port.
Read also