When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
ORIGINAL VINTAGE USO FRENCH RIVIERA POCKET GUIDE
NICE • CANNES • THÉOULE • GOLFE-JUAN, FRANCE
COLD WAR ERA — U.S. NAVY & AMERICAN MILITARY PERSONNEL
An attractive original vintage United Service Organizations (USO) pocket guide produced for American military personnel visiting the French Riviera.
Featuring patriotic red, white, and blue printing, this compact folding guide provides information about USO facilities, fleet landing locations, local services, and practical travel information for Americans stationed overseas or visiting French ports.
The guide is believed to date from the 1960s or later, based on its use of the French New Franc currency introduced in 1960.
USO LOCATIONS
Nice USO Club
14 Avenue Félix Faure
Nice, France
Open Daily
Fleet Landing Information Booths:
These locations served American military personnel visiting the French Mediterranean coast.
INTERIOR MAPS
The booklet opens to reveal two printed street and harbor maps:
NICE, FRANCE
A detailed central Nice street map identifying the USO club and surrounding streets, waterfront, and local landmarks.
CANNES, FRANCE
A map showing the port, fleet landing, USO information booth, city hall, railway station, and nearby streets.
A handwritten hotel name and address appear above the Cannes map, adding an interesting personal detail to this surviving example.
USO SERVICES ADVERTISED
General information
Mailing and cable services
Reading and writing materials
Games and music supplies
Pressing and sewing facilities
Hotel reservations and checking
Shopping assistance
Dancing and entertainment
Coffee and snacks
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
The reverse provides a useful historical snapshot of American travel in France, including:
U.S. dollar to French New Franc conversions
American and metric measurement conversions
Postage rates for letters and postcards to the United States
American and French clothing-size comparisons
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The USO has a longstanding history of supporting American military personnel stationed or traveling overseas.
During the Cold War, U.S. Navy vessels regularly operated throughout the Mediterranean, and shore facilities provided servicemen and women with recreation, assistance, communication services, and opportunities to enjoy local communities.
This guide offers a tangible reminder of the everyday experiences of American military personnel visiting the French Riviera during that period.
COLLECTOR INTEREST
An appealing original piece for collectors of U.S. Navy history, Cold War militaria, USO memorabilia, Mediterranean Fleet history, French Riviera travel, vintage military maps, and overseas American military recreation.
The exact publication year has not been established. This is a Cold War-era collectible and is not represented as a WWII publication.
One original folding USO guide is included, exactly as photographed.
