The Yves Montand College in Vinon-sur-Verdon, in the hinterland of Var, has officially announced its partnership with the French Navy. This comes as part of the opening of a Global Defense and Security Class (CDSG) within the institution for the 2026 school year. A convention was signed on Wednesday, April 1, at the Toulon naval base, with the Surface Training Flotilla.
The French Navy, which needs 4000 new recruits every year, continues its efforts to attract young people, especially in areas far from the coast. The partnership formalized on April 1 with Yves Montand College in the Var village of Vinon-sur-Verdon, illustrates this policy. “This partnership aims to develop a culture of defense among students away from military structures by promoting projects related to the French Navy and the duty of remembrance,” explains the Toulon headquarters, which states that the French fleet now has 162 partnerships with Global Defense and Security Classes, including 13 in the Var region.
In the context of the upcoming opening of a CDSG at Yves Montand College, the teaching staff will offer an interdisciplinary program including work related to the Navy in subjects such as history and geography, English, and physical education. Students will also benefit from visits to memorial sites, such as the Provence Landing Memorial, and meetings with industry professionals.
Through the partnership agreement, the college’s CDSG will be particularly linked to the Surface Training Flotilla (FPS), an operational unit of the Naval Action Force (FAN) that provides specialized training to sailors on surface vessels. It offers adaptation courses, awareness-raising sessions, and simulator sessions for all FAN units.
