On October 26, 2026, La Poste is issuing a "Hyères les Palmiers" stamp featuring an attached label reading "TIMBRES PASSION 2026," to mark the FFAP’s "Passion" exhibition taking place there from October 23 to 25, 2026. Nestled on the slopes of the small Maurettes massif, between the hills and the sea, the medieval town of Hyères—with its steep, narrow streets—ranks second in the Var department by area and third by population. While salt marshes once drove its prosperity, the town opened up to tourism in the 19th century, attracting high society seeking to escape the harshness of winter. A source of inspiration for artists such as Picasso, Dufy, Dalí, and Man Ray, the modernist Villa Noailles—built in the 1920s—drew the Parisian elite, from Gide to Cocteau. Hyères embraced seaside tourism after 1945, capitalizing on its 21 km of beaches and the unspoiled beauty of its islands—Porquerolles, Port-Cros, and Île du Levant—which have become a national park, a marine sanctuary, and an unparalleled diving destination. A leading horticultural hub responsible for 70% of national cut-flower production and home to "Côtes de Provence" AOC vineyards, Hyères is best known for palm tree cultivation. This tree defines the town's character and reputation, earning it the nickname "Hyères les Palmiers." Every even-numbered year, young philatelists gather in a French city for their national championship, joined by adult specialists competing in the philatelic categories most popular with the general public. In October 2026, this gathering will take place at the Casino Forum in Hyères-les-Palmiers. In addition to showcasing some of the finest collections, a wide range of fun activities centered on the passion for collecting will be organized at this venue, which epitomizes the city’s seaside character. The Timbres Passion Exhibition "From October 23 to 25, young French philatelists will hold their biennial gathering in Hyères-les-Palmiers at the magnificent Casino Forum. Alongside a national competition featuring around fifty collections—showcasing the young collectors' best work—Timbres-Passion will host the national adult competition covering thematic philately, polar philately, the Open Class, and deltiology (postcard collecting). The mascot, Philéas, calls to mind the 'Open Nature' competition held at the Paris show in June; a selection of about forty of those entries will also be on display in Hyères. Numerous activities covering diverse topics will be offered, including 'battles,' introductions to NFT stamps, correspondence with polar regions, maximaphily workshops, and more. Timbres-Passion will also feature three 'treasure hunts' with vacation stays up for grabs as prizes. These hunts will center on the unique 'Revivez la France... la collection réinventée...' (Relive France... the collection reinvented...) exhibit. It is a breathtaking journey through more than 300 displays featuring 20,000 collectibles that evoke France's heritage—experienced in a whole new way within a pop-up museum."
