One of Provence’s finest cities, set half-way between Marseille and Nice, Toulon is famous for its great bay. The city is not short of attractions: excellent beaches, well-preserved monuments, rich aquatic life... The capital of the Var shines bright in the Mediterranean sun, and provides an ideal gateway to the holiday beaches of Hyères and Saint-Tropez.
Formerly a
hub for Greek traders, who named the port Telo in honour of the Ligurian
goddess of springs, Toulon has long been a haven for those who venture on the
Mediterranean. During the reign of Louis XIV, and thanks to the fortifications
constructed under the command of Vauban, Toulon became a military port, a task
to which the city was well-suited, its bay providing a natural harbour for
large warships. This was the start of a long and close association with the
navy, which saw the city sustain considerable damage during the Second World
War. Toulon later regained its status as capital of the Var, and discovered a
new economic vibrancy. With a new airport some twenty kilometres out of town,
and a historic city centre which has been restored and preserved, the city has
become a popular tourist destination and an alternative to the two big
south-coast cities of Marseille and Nice. With great beaches and rolling
countryside within easy reach, the excellent road network makes Toulon an ideal
base from which to explore Provence and the Côte d'Azur.
That sweet southern air, the sea shimmering under the Mediterranean sun... life is good in Toulon. The city has many fountains and springs, bubbling away in picturesque squares beneath the shade of the giant plane trees. The bay is one of the finest in Europe, and a long walk taking in the port and the town hall is an absolute must. And no trip to Toulon would be complete without a trip in the cable car up to the summit of Mont Faron, where you can enjoy panoramic view of the bay as far as Saint-Mandrier, and watch the ferries set sail for Corsica and Italy. Toulon also has 7 hectares of pristine beaches at Mourillons. Slightly further afield, a shuttle service will take you to the other side of the bay to explore the rich aquatic life around Saint-Mandrier and La Seyne. There is something in the air in Toulon, that special sort of atmosphere which inspired Gilbert Bécaud to pen his classic song ‘Les marchés de Provence’.
Places to see:
La rade de Toulon
La ville de Hyères et ses Iles d’Or :
Porquerolles et Port Cros
Le mythique village de Saint-Tropez
Le massif des Maures et de l’Estérel
Le Pays de Fayence et ses villages perchés
L’abbaye du Thoronet
Fréjus, ville d’art de d’histoire
Les Gorges du Verdon
Sanary sur mer,
Bandol… Les villages pittoresques de Pêcheurs
Events to live:
Théâtre In Situ at Carqueiranne
Jazz Festival at Porquerolles
Festival of Ramatuelle
Saint-Tropez International Polo Cup
Music Festival: Les Voix du Gaou à Six-Fours-les-Plages
Festival of Château de Sollies-Pont
Rugby match at Mayol Stadium at Toulon
Les Bravades de Saint-Tropez
Movie festival Antipodes at Toulon
Français
Toulon
Coming soon 