Toulon is a port city on the Mediterranean coast, and capital of the Var department, southern France.
Toulon is home to the French navy, and they have a significant naval base there. There’s also a lovely old port, the perfect place for a lazy lunch, watching the boats go in and out. You can also take a boat trip around the harbour or take a day trip to the islands including lovely Porquerolles with its wild and beautiful inlets lined by rocky cliffs. Or you could take the ferry further afield to Corsica from Toulon.
Behind the Old Port is the old town of Toulon, cobbled streets and charming squares and fountains. Every morning (except Monday) the town comes alive on the Cours Lafayette, a traditional Provencal market selling everything from avocados to lavender soap.
Don’t miss a trip on the cable car to the top of Mont Faron. At just under 600 meters high, the hill dominates the town and its bay. From here the views are simply breath-taking looking over the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of Toulon. There are hiking trails and a zoo plus restaurants. You’ll also find here the Allied Landings Memorial, a museum which presents the history of the Allied lands in August 1945, Operation Dragoon, the “second D-Day.”
With a year-round programme of the festivals, music and opera, plus great shopping and Christmas markets, and, crazy for rugby – if you’re ever there when a match is on, you’ll feel the vibe – Toulon is great for a visit any time.
A twenty-minute walk out of town or take it easy and hop on the Petit Train Tour from the Old Port, will bring you to the fabulous beaches at Mourillon, a former fishing village. These are artificial beaches that are sheltered, shallow and safe. There are several excellent restaurants and plenty of sports activities, plus a 16th century fort.
Toulon has excellent train connections for visiting Marseille, Nice and Cannes and Saint-Tropez which doesn’t have a train station, but Toulon station has a fast train service for Paris and from here you can take the train to St Raphael and then a bus to St Tropez. You can even take the train for a day trip to Italy! The Friday market day in Ventimiglia is fun and an Italian bargain seekers paradise.
By Stephane Jackman, a frequent visitor to Toulon from the UK.
