ToulonMainland France · France

All About Toulon

Toulon lies in the Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur region of France and is the capital of the Var department. Once a Roman port, known as Telo Martius, Charles VIII of France first initiated the expansion of the harbor into a military stronghold. However, decades and centuries saw Toulon come under attack several times, changing hands until after WWII when the French finally took control.

As the principal Naval Base of France, Toulon is home to several submarines and battleships. Backed by the impressive Mont Faron, it has seen a slow yet progressive increase in tourism over the last decade. Nowadays, attractions in Toulon, including warm weather, pretty beaches, a vibrant culture, and fascinating history, entice travelers to linger on a while and take in the charms of this gorgeous Mediterranean gem.
 

Routes and Ferries to Toulon

Being a prominent port city, Toulon is rather well-connected by sea. Corsica Ferries is the leading operator, handling most routes in and out of Toulon. You can book ferry tickets to Toulon easily and quickly through Ferryscanner. Among the most popular connections is the Toulon-Ajaccio crossing, with ten boats weekly covering the 6-hour 30-minute voyage. There are five ferries a week from Bastia, and two from Alcudia, a relaxing 13-hour one-way trip. Moreover, you can also purchase ferry tickets to Toulon from Porto Vecchio and Porto Torres.

If planning on flying into the city, the closest landing strip is at Toulon–Hyères Airport. Also a French Naval Air Base, the two-runway airport has daily arrivals from Paris. Other than that, it only receives seasonal flights during the summers. Nice and Marseille airports are alternatives within two hours of the city. Both airports connect with Toulon via train and bus service. When already in Europe, one can also take a train to Toulon from several towns in France and nearby countries.
 

Port of Toulon

The Port of Toulon is a colossal harbor that doubles as a French Naval Base. Arriving by boat, using ferry tickets to Toulon, is a sight to behold as passengers get an up-close albeit brief look at France’s military fleet anchored here. Furthermore, the harbor is a popular cruise stop and a bustling ferry terminal.

There are, however, two cruise ports in Toulon. Port Marchand is the main pier with three quays, cafes, toilets, shops, car parks, and a taxi stand. It is also where passengers with ferry tickets to Toulon disembark. The local bus and train stations are a 20-minute walk from the port. On the other hand, Port La Seyne-Sur-Mer is 5km away from Marchand. It is better sheltered from the irksome Mistral winds that plague the region from winter to spring.
 

Best Beaches

Toulon is the perfect introduction to the French Mediterranean with a beautiful sandy, and sometimes rocky, coastline. Come summertime, thousands of locals and tourists flock to this attractive seaside port, creating a playful ambiance ideal for sunbathers, families, couples, and tourists in search of a relaxing holiday.

Plage de Anse de Méjean

A genuine hidden gem of Toulon, Anse de Méjean is a 700-meter-long cove located in a residential area roughly 20 minutes from the center. Both sandy and rocky, the beach offers idyllic opportunities to swim, snorkel, or kayak in the sea. An equally lovely location to view the sunset, plan your day to include a delicious seafood dinner at a nearby local restaurant.

Plage de Pipady

Facing Tour Royale, Pipady is a fabulous beach where you hardly find any tourists. In parts sandy and pebbly, the local strand is a 13-minute drive from the city center. A non-smoking beach, Pipady is a good spot for sunbathing and snorkeling due to its calm waters. Amenities at the beach include parking, lifeguards, toilets, showers, and changing rooms.

Plage de la Mitre

A 15-minute walk from Pipady Beach, Mitre is one of the most scenic beaches in Toulon. The thin gravel strip borders the warm waters of the Mediterranean, enticing beachgoers to take a swim or a snorkel. Although the non-smoking beach has a wild and rocky disposition, it comes with several amenities such as showers, toilets, lifeguards, and nearby bars.

Plages du Mourillon

Mourillon is the most famous coastline near Toulon. Comprising of four side-by-side sheltered bays, there’s ample space for sunseekers here to lay down and enjoy the blue waters of the Mediterranean. The four beaches are roughly 3km, or 40 minutes on foot, from the town center. A wonderful place for a day out with the family, the beaches offer free parking, locker rooms, a playground, a skate park, a volleyball court, showers, and a palm-tree-lined promenade with benches. Having several shops and restaurants, the entire neighborhood that extends from Fort Saint Louis to the Yacht Club stays busy till late at night.

Plage du Pin de Galle

A relatively unknown cove, some 9km from Toulon, Pin de Galle is an intimate spot ideal for couples. Having a rocky background, one does need to go down a fair number of steps to get near the water. Thankfully, the pebble beach has all the necessary conveniences such as changing rooms, toilets, and a restaurant. Moreover, the water here stays calm because of a breakwater, inviting sunbathers to occasionally indulge in sports such as kayaking.
 

Things To Do

Toulon is an underrated city that amazes visitors with its numerous family-friendly attractions, from museums and panoramic viewpoints to historical sites and culinary delights.

Ride the Téléphérique du Mont Faron

Taking the cable car up the white limestone Mont Faron is a breath-taking experience, not to be missed when in Toulon. From the top of the 584-meter-high Mont Faron, you get to admire 360-degree vistas of the city and the Mediterranean. Moreover, visitors can take one of many hiking trails and visit the remains of a battlement at its peak. Children find the Faron Zoo to be an educational and fascinating attraction. Mont Faron is open from February to November with cable car tickets costing €7.80. Tickets for the mountain ride and the zoo cost €15.50.

Walk Around Tour Royal

A 16th-century fort built to protect the naval port, Tour Royal is one of the must-see tourist attractions in Toulon. Designated a historical monument in 1947, access to this grand construction, partly carved into a rock, is through a separate pedestrian walkway. In design, it showcases classic Torrioni architecture with its circular tower and a cannon pointing towards every ship that entered the harbor. The fort opened to the public in 2006, with its expansive grounds presently used for events and concerts. The entry fee for Tour Royal is €2.

Shop at Cours Lafayette

Passengers with ferry tickets to Toulon can step off the boat and walk straight into the buzz of Cours Lafayette, the city’s main street. Its highlight, though, is the weekly farmer’s outdoor market, held every day except on Mondays. Locals come here from around the city, setting up stalls to sell an assortment of regional products. A favorite among residents and tourists, the market is open from early morning till noon. As for the shopping, you’ll find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to cured meats, cheese, honey, clothes, and souvenirs here.

Visit Musée National de la Marine

Bearing in mind the city’s remarkable maritime heritage, visiting the National Navy Museum is one of the quintessential things to do in Toulon. Packed with artifacts from the 17th-century onwards, the museum is an informative outing that allows visitors to delve deeper into the region’s nautical history. With space designated to ship models, Toulon prison, and a specialty bookstore, set aside a few hours to wander around and admire the various displays of the museum.

Watch a RC Toulonnais Game

The city’s rugby team is one of the best in the world. Watching RC Toulonnais play, even if you do not understand the game, is among the most exciting things to do in Toulon. Home games occur at the harborside Stade Mayol, Toulon’s massive 18,200-seat stadium. The excitement of the local fans on game days is anything but infectious. When planning to watch a game, reach the stadium early to catch the spectators singing the world-famous pilou-pilou chant. This energetic anthem sets the mood for an electrifying match.
 

Transportation Around Toulon

Toulon is easy to travel around. Thus, there is no real need to rent a car if you stay predominantly within city limits. When not exploring the city center on foot, you can use public transport operated by Réseau Mistral to venture into the suburbs. The city has an extensive bus network as well as regional ferry boats to tourist locations nearby. The single-day unlimited public transport travel ticket is an excellent option for passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Toulon. Taxis in Toulon are available on call or through apps.

One quick way to visit all the major attractions in Toulon is the Petit Train. The perfect mode of transport to enjoy with the family, the mini train leaves the harbor on 45-minute trips regularly during the day. Furthermore, it’s possible to hop off at one of the sights or beaches and then hop on a later train.