Saint-Exupéry, fragments of history: the exhibition at the Musée de l'air et de l'espace - Extensions

Famous for his philosophical works addressed to adults and children alike, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was above all an outstanding pilot and commander in the French army, who disappeared in the Mediterranean Sea on July 31, 1944. 80 years later, to commemorate the Liberation of France, the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace is dedicating a special exhibition to this multi-faceted man, from May 29 to November 3, 2024.

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An opportunity to discover the diversity of this talented writer's background, and the impact of his aeronautical experiences on his literary work. Throughout his work, the attentive reader will glimpse mentions of the Second World War and the history of the aviator, proof of the influence of his experiences. In the first part of the exhibition, visitors can explore Saint-Exupéry's dual vocation, his early career with l'Aéropostale and the attempted Paris-Saigon raid, which left a deep impression on him, with its walk for survival in the desert.

The exhibition also covers the pilot's military career during the Second World War, with Reconnaissance Group II/33, during the French campaign of 1939-40, then again with the same unit in 1944, under the aegis of the Free French Air Force, until his disappearance in the Mediterranean on July 31, 1944. In the second part of the exhibition, several fragments, some never before seen, of the P-38 in which he disappeared will be presented.

The wreck, which lies off the coast of Marseille, has been entrusted to the Musée de l'Air et de l'Espace, where you can learn more about its discovery and identification from a scientific point of view, with a projection area showing a documentary on the subject.