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The Commune of Toulon has a population of 176,198 people (2018), making it France's 13th-largest city. It is the centre of an urban unit with 580,281 inhabitants (2018), the ninth largest in France by population [ 7 ] Toulon is the second-largest French city by urban area on the Mediterranean coast after Marseille.
- Mont Faron
- Rade de Toulon
- Musée de La Marine
- Plages Du Mourillon
- RC Toulon
- Musée Mémorial Du Débarquement
- Cours Lafayette
- Sentier Des DOUANIERS
- Anse Magaud and Anse Méjean
- Place de La Liberté
The hulking 584-metre mountain behind Toulon made it such an attractive harbour in ancient times. Mont Faron blocked the northwesterly Mistral wind and, being right on the coast, was the ideal lookout post to monitor sea traffic and spot enemy ships. Nine towers and forts once watched over the bay, remnants of which are still visible up here. You d...
Pick a port ferry or charter and you can embark on a tour of the military harbour, used by the French navy since the 15th century and, along with Brest, the main base for the French fleet. If you’re a military or history geek then you may want the inside story on a guided tour of the piers of the Baie du Lazare and the historic naval cemetery. But ...
Add some depth to your French naval knowledge at the museum on the harbour. You’ll make a grand entry too, as the 18th-century gatehouse to the former arsenal makes up the building’s facade. This, along with the nearby clock tower, is one of only a couple of buildings to survive the bombardment in the war. Go inside to browse a riveting hoard of hi...
Just east of the port, the Plages du Mourillon are four contiguous sandy beaches, all flying the Blue Flag and each similar to the next. They’re all horseshoe-shaped bays, screened by long breakwaters that leave the seas shallow and smooth. In all there are 15 hectares of sand, a dozen bars and restaurants and enough amusements to occupy littler su...
In the last few seasons Toulon’s rugby team has arguably been the best club side in the world. RC Toulon, known as Les Rouge et Noir, won the prestigious Heineken Cup three years in a row from 2013 to 2015 and is always at or near the top of France’s Top 14. This league pays some of the best wages anywhere, so if you come and see a match at the Sta...
You can buy a combined ticket with the cable-car for this military museum on a terrace on Mont Faron. The museum and memorial commemorate the Allied invasion of the coast of Provence on August 15, 1944. If you’re into military history you’ll be riveted by the presentations of the different operations and battlefields around Toulon, elaborated with ...
Street markets are a way of life in Provence, and if food provenance means something to you, it will acquaint you with all the local produce and delicacies. Cours Lafayette is a long pedestrian street stretching down to the harbour and worthy of your time whenever you come. But on every morning of the week except Monday there’s a market running the...
Excluding the harbour, Toulon is on a network of coastal walking trails that begins at Six-Fours in the west and continues all the way to Hyères in the east. This is known as the Sentier des Douaniers, which was laid down in the early 19th-century during the First Empire to make it easier for customs officers to discover smugglers. By turns you’ll ...
On the Sentier des Douaniers is a pair of small coves with a blend of sand shingle. The walls of the fishing cottages come right down to the beach, and behind them are steep rocks with cypresses, palms and pine trees. Furthest from Toulon is Anse Magaud, a snorkeller’s paradise as a cluster of large rocks in the middle of the cove form a natural ba...
Toulon’s main square is the city’s transport hub and nerve centre, and warrants a brief stroll or a stop at one of the cafe terraces on the sides. Holding court over the north side of the square is the neoclassical Grand Hôtel, a stately symbol for Toulon built in 1870. In the Second World War this is where the occupying army were headquartered. Th...
- Walk Along the Toulon Harbor. Since the Navy has been based in Toulon for many years, the Toulon harbor has become the most iconic place in town. Indeed, Toulon is a maritime-themed city, and visiting the souvenir shops along the harbor is a must-do.
- Head to the Top of Mont Faron. Mont Faron is a 584-meter mountain and is the ideal vista to look out over the southern France city. One of the most popular activities in Toulon is to take the cable car up to the summit.
- Find the Perfect Toulon Souvenir. There are quite a few interesting shops you can hit up when visiting Toulon. If you like food, head to the Comptoir des Fromages, where you’ll find some of the most delicious cheese in the region.
- Visit the Notre Dame de la Seds Cathedral. The Cathedral of Toulon, also called Notre Dame de la Seds, is located in the city center and is a national monument.
- Vieille Ville (Old Town) The Old Town of Toulon was severely damaged during the Second World War, however, it has retained much of its former charm.
- Port de Toulon. The Bay of Toulon is considered Europe's most beautiful harbor, but it is also a busy working port. In fact, there are multiple ports where fishing boats and yachts are docked, as well as where ferries and cruise ships depart.
- Mont Faron. Presiding over the city of Toulon, the impressive Mont Faron can be reached by foot, car, or the Téléphérique du Faron (cable car). It is possible to walk from Place de la Liberté, in the city's center, for about 40 minutes, traversing the Parc des Lices and including a steep climb up the footpaths to the summit.
- Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence. The Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence is found at the summit of Mont Faron in the Tour Beaumont. To arrive here, the steep and winding one-way road (Route du Faron) offers rewarding scenery and passes the Fort du Saint-Antoine along the way.
- Place de la Liberté. Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase something through one of these links.
- Kiosque à Livres. Toulon is home to a couple of typical bookstands where you’ll find a large selection of rare books, old postcards, and even music albums.
- The Opera House. With its nearly 1,800 seats, the Opera of Toulon is the second-largest opera house in France. Built in 1862, the opera house is one of the most beautiful buildings in Toulon.
- Place Puget. Head to Place Puget where you can grab lunch or stop for coffee in one of the many restaurants and bars. Here you’ll also see the Trois Dauphins fountain, a beautiful fountain covered in moss and leaves.
21,862. Toulon, France. Toulon combines the bustle of a major French port with the breezy ambiance of a Mediterranean resort town. Against the backdrop of looming Mont Faron, beaches and café-lined promenades line a harbor filled with historic naval ships, luxury yachts, and colorful fishing boats. Read more.
Mont Faron is the most famous mount of Toulon. Linked by a cable car to the coast, Mont Faron is a privileged place for outdoor activities such as hiking, for example. Peaking at 584 meters, it dominates the city and offers an exceptional view of the harbor and the hinterland of the Var. At the top of Mont Faron, you can visit the Memorial ...
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