Toulon Destination Guide (2024): What You Need to Know

For a relaxing seaside retreat, pay a visit to Mediterranean city of Toulon. Set on the French Riviera, this city is home to beautiful beaches, great cafes and bustling local markets. It has all the beauty of its more popular neighbours Cannes and Nice without all the crowds. Toulon is also an important port, being the base of the French navy. Its navy history is on display in many of the museums and landmarks throughout the city. Toulon is one of the hidden gems of France and the perfect place to get a taste of the French Riviera. This Toulon destination guide will give you everything you need to know to plan your Toulon vacation.

What is Toulon famous for?

Toulon is famous for being the largest naval base in the Mediterranean and the main stronghold of the French navy. It boasts a rich maritime heritage and a proud rugby tradition. The city is home to the RC Toulonnais, one of the top teams in French professional rugby union. Toulon also charms visitors with its picturesque fountains and squares, its lively Provençal markets, and its excellent rosé wine. As a seaside resort, Toulon offers stunning beaches and hosts vibrant festivals throughout the year.

Why you should visit Toulon France

Toulon is the perfect French seaside town. It has a relaxed atmosphere and is less busy than nearby Nice. Home to the principal military port of France, the city has a rich naval history. The coastline surrounding the city has a number of beautiful beaches with crystal clear water. It’s the perfect place to enjoy activities such as sailing, fishing and walking along the long stretches of waterfront promenades. Lazy afternoons can be spent at waterfront cafes where you can sample the freshest seafood. Toulon was historically the gateway to Africa, which can be seen in the large number of African restaurants that can be found the city.

Toulon Destination Guide: Know before you go

Basic info about Toulon France

• Language – French, although the Maritim Provençal dialect of the regional language Occitan is still spoken by a small portion of the population. English is spoken to some extent, particularly in hotels and tourism businesses. However not everyone you meet will be able to speak English. We find that if you at least attempt to speak a bit of French, you will get a warmer reception than if you just assume everyone speaks English. In our experience, most people we’ve spoken to start speaking English as soon as they hear our feeble attempts at speaking French.
• Currency – euro (EUR). This has been the official currency of France since 2002. Currency exchanges can be found in Toulon and ATMs are widely available.
• Population – 179,000 (2015)
• Area – 43 km² (16sq mi)
• Department – Var. Toulon is the capital of this department.
• Region – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
• Emergency number – 112 (calls) or 114 (sms or fax)
• Police number – 17

Utilities in Toulon France

• Electricity – France uses Types C and E power plugs. The country operates on a 230v supply voltage at 50Hz. Power outages are not common in France.
• Water – the tap water in Toulon is safe to drink. In cafes and restaurants, you can ask for a “caraffe d’eau”, and the waiter will bring you a pitcher of water that is free and safe to drink.
• Toilets – sit-down flushing toilets are the most common type of toilet in France. You can flush your toilet paper directly into the bin. Public toilets are common in France. Many public toilets are free to use, but some charge anywhere from 50 cents to 2 euros to use.
• Telephone country code: +33

Where is Toulon France?

Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France. It is a port city on the Mediterranean Sea in the French Riviera.

The closest major French cities to Toulon are Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Cannes, Nice, Avignon, Nîmes as well as Montpellier. Toulon is less than one hour by train from Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, 1.5 hours by train from Cannes, 2 hours by train from Nice and Avignon, 2.5 hours by train from Nîmes and around 3 hours from Montpellier. Toulon is also a major naval centre on the Mediterranean Sea.

How to get to Toulon France

Toulon destination guide: Arriving by land

Toulon France intercity land transport

The main transport options for travelling overland to Toulon France are:

• Private vehicle
• Private transport operator
• Navette (Shuttle Bus) – this runs from Toulon Airport to the Toulon SNCF train station/Toulon bus station. The cost is 1.40 euro per person (price as at 2023). The journey time is approximately 30 minutes.
• Train
• Bus
• Bike

Driving to Toulon from within France

If you are driving to Toulon from within France, here are the travel times and distances:

• Marseille – 55 minutes (67km, 42miles) with tolls or 1 hour 24 minutes (64km, 40miles) without tolls
• Aix-en-Provence – 1 hour 6 minutes (83km, 52miles) with tolls or 1 hour 40 minutes (93km, 58miles) without tolls
• Cannes – 1 hour 30 minutes (124km, 77miles) with tolls or 2 hours 37 minutes (128km, 80miles) without tolls
• Nice – 1 hours 45 minutes (150km, 93miles) with tolls or 3 hours 20 minutes (163km, 101miles) without tolls
• Avignon – 1 hour 49 minutes (168km, 104miles) with tolls or 2 hours 30 minutes (160km, 99miles) without tolls
• Nîmes – 2 hours 10 minutes (188km, 117miles) with tolls or 2 hours 44 minutes (181km, 112miles) without tolls
• Montpellier – 2 hours 41 minutes (234km, 145miles) with tolls or 3 hours 22 minutes (228km, 142miles) without tolls
• Paris – 8 hours 13 minutes (840km, 522miles) with tolls or 12 hours 10 minutes (964km, 599miles) without tolls

Intercity trains to Toulon France

Trains are a cheap and efficient way to get to Toulon France. The main train station in Toulon is Gare de Toulon. This is located in the heart of Toulon.

The following train brands service Toulon:

• TGV train – this is France’s intercity high speed rail service.
• TGV Bruxelles-France train – this intercity high speed rail service covers Belgium and France. This line runs from Brussels Belgium to Toulon France.
• TER (Transport Express Régional) – the TER rail service is run by the regional councils of France.

The French national railway company that operates these services is called SNCF.

We recommend using the app and website TrainLine to book intercity train tickets in France. This is the app we used. We found it very easy to use with great functionality. Another great feature is that you can see days ahead to see what times of the day were the cheapest rates. The TrainLine app was much easier to use than the SNCF website and app, which we found really cumbersome and difficult to use.

We recommend using the app and website TrainLine to book intercity train tickets in France. This is the app we used. We found it very easy to use with great functionality. Another great feature is that you can see days ahead to see what times of the day were the cheapest rates. The TrainLine app was much easier to use than the SNCF website and app, which we found really cumbersome and difficult to use.

Intercity buses to Toulon France

A common way to get around France is by using intercity buses. These are a budget friendly alternative to trains, but are generally a slower option. Intercity bus companies operating in Toulon France include FlixBus as well as Blablacar Bus. Popular bus destinations from Toulon include:

• Marseille France – travel time 1 hour. Tickets start from 3 euro one way.
• Nice France – travel time 2-3 hours. Tickets start from 5 euro one way.
• Nîmes France – travel time 3 hours. Tickets start from 7 euro one way.
• Lyon France – travel time 4.5-5.5 hours. Tickets start from 15 euro one way.
• Paris France – travel time 10.5 hours. Tickets start from 15 euro one way.

Toulon destination guide: Arriving by air

The nearest airport to Toulon France is Toulon–Hyères Airport (Airport code TLN). It is also known as Hyères Le Palyvestre Airport. This international airport is 19km (12miles) northwest of the city. Toulon Airport has 2 runways and is also used as Hyeres Naval Air Base.

Other nearby airports include:

• La Môle – Saint-Tropez Airport Airport (Airport code LTT). This airport is 46km (29miles) away.
• Marseille Airport (Airport code MRS). This airport is 68km (42miles) away.
• Cannes – Mandelieu Airport Airport (Airport code CEQ). This airport is 95km (59miles) away.
• Nice Airport (Airport code NCE). This is 120km (75miles) away.
• Avignon Airport (Airport code AVN). This is 120km (75miles) away.

The national airline of France is Air France.

Toulon destination guide: Arriving by boat

The city of Toulon is on the Mediterranean Sea. From Toulon, there are ferries to Corsica, Sardinia, Mallorca as well as Menorca. There are up to 36 ferry crossings from Toulon per week. However availability may vary depending on the season. The only ferry company that operates out of Toulon is Corsica Ferries.

Ferries from Toulon to Corsica

There are around 29 ferries per week from Toulon to Corsica. These ferries connect Toulon to 4 different destinations in Corsica – Ajaccio, Bastia, Ile Rousse as well as Porto Vecchio. The sailing time is between 6.75 and 10 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 35 euro without a cabin and 100 euro with a cabin (price as at 2022).

Ferries from Toulon to Sardinia

There are around 3 ferries per week from Toulon to Sardinia. These ferries connect Toulon to 2 different destinations in Sardinia – Porto Torres as well as Golfo Aranci. The sailing time is between 10 and 18 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 30 euro without a cabin and 90 euro with a cabin (price as at 2022).

Ferries from Toulon to Mallorca

There are around 3 ferries per week from Toulon to Mallorca. These ferries connect Toulon to Alcudia in Mallorca. The sailing time is 12.5 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 30 euro without a cabin and 90 euro with a cabin (price as at 2022).

Ferries from Toulon to Menorca

There is 1 ferry per week from Toulon to Menorca. This ferry connect Toulon to Ciutadella in Menorca. The sailing time is 12 hours. A one-way ticket for a foot passenger is around 35 euro without a cabin and 110 euro with a cabin (price as at 2022).

Toulon destination guide: How to get around Toulon France

Walking in Toulon France

By far the easiest and cheapest way to get around Toulon is to walk. Most of the main attractions in the city area are within easy walking distance. The beaches are about half an hour walk from the main part of town.

Local buses in Toulon France

Local buses service Toulon. A one way trip for adults is 1.40 euro (price as at 2023). You can also buy 10 trip passes as well as 1 day, 7 day, 30 day and 12 month subscriptions. For more information, see this website: https://www.reseaumistral.com/

Le Petit Train de Toulon (tourist train in Toulon France)

The Toulon tourist train runs on a 45 minute circuit 5-8 times a day depending on the month. Tickets are 8 euro for ages 12+, 5 euro for ages 3-11 and free for ages under 3 (prices as at 2023). For more information see this website: http://petit-train-toulon.fr/

Cable Car in Toulon France

The cable car in Toulon is a 7 minute ride up Mont Faron. Availability varies depending on weather and season. The cable car does not operate when there are high winds. It is also closed from mid-November under the February school holidays each year. A one day cable car pass is 8 euro for adults (price as at 2023) and includes a return trip on the cable car as well as unlimited bus and waterbus trips. A return cable car trip on its own is 8.50 euro (price as at 2023).

To check if the cable car is in operation, call the Tourist Office on +33(0)494185300, or the cable car terminal on +33(0)494926825. For more information see this website: https://www.telepherique-faron.fr/tarifs-horaires-telepherique-faron

Trams in Toulon France

There are currently no trams in Toulon. The tram service in Toulon was discontinued in 1955.

Métro trains (subway or underground) in Toulon France

Toulon does not have a metro train system.

Vehicle hire in Toulon France

A wide variety of vehicles can be rented in France. This includes:

• Bicycles – you can hire a bike from a bike hire shop such as Ma Bicyclette Bleue.
• Electric scooters
• Motorcycles
• Cars
• SUVs
• Campervans
• Boats

The French drive on the right side of the road.

Navettes (shuttles) in Toulon France

Navettes make short repetitive journeys between two destinations. Common journeys include going between the airport and the city centre. There is a navette from Toulon Airport to the Toulon SNCF train station/Toulon bus station. The cost is 1.40 euro per person (price as at 2023). The journey time is approximately 30 minutes.

Bateaux Bus (boat buses or waterbuses) in Toulon France

Boat buses are weather dependent and additionally the number of services vary by season. There are three different maritime shuttle routes in Toulon:

• Line 8M: Toulon-La Seyne. Le Seyne has a large shipbuilding industry. It has recently also become a tourist destination, with a park, marinas and hotels.
• Line 18M: Toulon-Sablettes. Sablettes is home to Sablettes Beach as well as a number of accommodation options.
• Line 28M: Toulon-St Mandrier. St Mandrier is home to a fishing port in a small inlet.

A one-way crossing is 2 euro for adults (price as at 2023). You can also buy 10 trip passes as well as 1 day, 7 day, 30 day and 12 month subscriptions. For more information, see this website: https://www.reseaumistral.com/fr/horaires-de-ligne/6/RouteSchedules/getall?transportModeParam=Boat

Navettes Maritimes (maritime shuttles or boat buses) near Toulon France

The transport company TLV-TVM operates boat shuttles between Hyères (Tour Fondue and Port of Hyères) and the Golden Islands (Porquerolles,Port-Cros,Île du Levant). Hyères is near Toulon airport. Services are weather dependent and additionally some routes only operate at certain times of year. There are six different maritime shuttle routes operated by TLV-TVM:

• Line 1: Tour Fondue-Porquerolles (passengers, vehicles, freight). Pourquerolles is the largest of the Îles d’Hyères.
• Line 2: Tour Fondue-Island of Port Cros (vehicles). The Island of Port Cros is home to Port Cros National Park.
• Line 3: Port of Hyères-Island of Port Cros (passengers, freight).
• Line 4: Port of Hyères-Levant Island (passengers, freight). Levant is home to the naturist resort of Heliopolis.
• Line 5: Port of Hyères-Island of Port Cros-Levant Island (passengers). This line operates seasonally.
• Line 7: Island of Port Cros-Levant Island (passengers). This line operates seasonally.

Prices vary by season. A return journey for an adult from Tour Fondue to Porquerolles is betweeen 17.70 and 24 euro depending on the month.

For more information see this website: https://www.tlv-tvm.com/

Taxis in France

Taxis are common in France. Fares are regulated and are usually metered. The exception to this will be standard journeys such as airport trips. In this case the fare will be a fixed price. However in general your fare will include the following costs:

• The pickup fee or minimum fee – this is charged as soon as you get into the vehicle
• There may also be an additional fee for extra people or heavy luggage
• A reservation fee – this will be higher if you book in advance compared to if you want a taxi immediately
• Price per kilometre – this price can vary depending on the time of day
• Price per hour – this is a price that gets charged when the taxi is stuck in heavy traffic. The price also varies depending on the time of day

Ride-share services in France

There are many rideshare services operating in France. These include Uber, BlaBlaCar, GoCarShare, Zify France, Flix Mobilityand CarpoolWorld.

France travel guide to travelling during Covid

We have written a detailed post outlining the Covid entry requirements. You can find the post here.

Toulon France destination guide: Is Toulon France worth visiting?

Whilst Toulon isn’t the most popular tourist destination on the French Riviera, we believe it’s worth a visit. It has an interesting naval history, beautiful beaches, bustling local markets and a relaxed atmosphere. If you prefer a slower pace of life and want to avoid the crowds, Toulon is the ideal place for a seaside vacation. However many people may prefer more well-known areas like Cannes and Nice.

Toulon destination guide: How long to spend in Toulon France

Toulon is a great place to come for a weekend. It is a relaxed port city with a pretty old town area, some great waterfront restaurants near the port as well as some beautiful beaches. We spent 4 days in Toulon and enjoyed taking time to enjoy the various activities available in this beautiful city.

Toulon destination guide: What to do in Toulon France

Toulon is a beautiful French city with many activities on offer. It has a range of great free activities as well as paid activities.

Toulon destination guide: Free things to do in Toulon France

There are enough free activities in Toulon France to keep you entertained for a weekend or even a leisurely week:

• Rade de Toulon
• Point Sublime – Mount Faron
• Le Village du Mourillon
• Plages du Mourillon
• Cours Lafayette
• Statue du Génie de la Navigation
• Plage de l’Anse de Magaud
• Office de Tourisme de Toulon
• Place de la Liberté
• Musée des Arts Asiatiques de Toulon
• Partie de Cartes de Raimu
• Chapelle Notre-Dame-du-Cap-Falcon
• Place Pierre Puget
• Cathédrale de Notre-Dame-de-la-Seds
• Musée d’Art de Toulon
• Muséum Départemental du Var

For more details, see our Toulon travel guide on the 15 Best Free Things To Do in Toulon France.

Toulon destination guide: Paid activities in Toulon France

A number of attractions in Toulon France charge an entry fee:

• Mémorial du Débarquement et de la Libération en Provence – entry fee is 6 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Musée National de la Marine – entry fee is 6.50 euro for adults (as at 2023)
• Opera de Toulon

Weather in Toulon France

Toulon enjoys a warm temperate climate. Its climate is heavily influenced by the nearby Mediterranean area. It has cold winters, with average temperature range between 4°C and 13°C in the coldest month of January. Summers last from June to September and are hot and sunny, with the average temperature range between 18°C and 27°C in the hottest month of August. It is a windy city and experiences frequent and sometimes powerful winds. Snow is rare but not unheard of in Toulon. The month with the most rainfall is October with 7.0 days of rain on average and the driest month is July with an average of 1.7 rainy days.

Best time to visit Toulon France

Being a seaside resort town, Toulon is best enjoyed during warmer weather. The peak season is June to August, and the weather is warm and sunny from April to October.

Internet and mobile phones in France

Since June 15th, 2017, Roam Like at Home (RLAT) rules came into force for European Union (EU) countries. As such, people with EU mobile numbers are no longer charged temporary mobile roaming fees if they travel within the European Union. This means that if you have a European Union mobile number, you can use that number anywhere within the European Union and you will be charged for calls, texts and data in the same way as if you were in your home country. There are limits to this in order to prevent abuse of these rules.

The main internet and phone companies in France include Orange, SFR, LeFrenchMobile, Bouygues Telecom, Lebara, Lycamobile and Free.

5G has been in France since November 2020. However 2G is expected to continue in France until 2030.

Cell phone SIM cards can be bought in many places throughout France. These include phone stores, some supermarkets, newspaper kiosks as well as online.

How much to budget for Toulon France?

Is Toulon expensive?

Compared to other destinations on the French Riviera, Toulon is relatively inexpensive. The cost of accommodation, food, transport and activities is quite reasonable. Additionally there are many activities in Toulon that are cheap or free such as going to the beach, shopping at the local markets or going for hikes.

Toulon destination guide: Daily spend for a couple travelling in Toulon France

As a rough guide, we recommend the following budgets for a couple:

• Low-budget daily spend – 100 euro per day for a couple will get you budget accommodation, self catering and bakery meals, walking or catching local transport to get around the city and free or cheap activities.
• Mid-range daily spend – 300 euro per day for a couple will get you mid-range accommodation, walking or catching local transport to get around the city, dining at reasonably priced cafes and restaurants and some paid activities.
• Luxury spend – 1000 euro per day for a couple will get you a premium experience, staying at high end hotels, travelling by private transport, doing a range paid activities and eating at high end restaurants.

Toulon destination guide: Accommodation in Toulon France

There is a reasonable range of accommodation available in Toulon France, although most properties are for mid-range budgets. Airbnb operates in Toulon France.

Where to stay in Toulon France?

We recommend the following accommodation in Toulon France:

• Best bed & breakfast in Toulon France – VILLA PRESENCE – Chambres d’hôtes – Activités bien-être is a lovely house and garden with beautifully decorated rooms. It is conveniently located within walking distance of the train station and in a very peaceful area. Breakfasts each morning and delicious and the host is lovely.
• Best 4 star hotel in Toulon France – OKKO Hotels Toulon Centre is a modern and stylish hotel in a great location close to the train station and attractions. The staff are really nice and welcoming. It also has a really nice rooftop terrace area. There are free drinks and snacks in the lounge area, which is a nice treat.

How much is accommodation in Toulon France?

For short-term accommodation, a general price per night is as follows:

• Budget accommodation – we couldn’t find any hostels in Toulon
• Mid-range accommodation – 60-140 euro for a private room
• Luxury accommodation – there are no 5 star hotels in Toulon
• Rental property – 150-400 euro a night for a fully furnished 3-5 bedroom home

Toulon destination guide: Food in Toulon France

Being on the water, seafood is very popular in Toulon. The city is also known for its diverse cuisine, particularly African cuisine.

How much does food cost in Toulon France?

Our price guide for your food budget in Toulon France is as follows (prices as at 2022):

• Restaurant meal – 15-20 for a main dish
• Bakery food – 1-2 euro for a croissant or baguette, 2-3 euro for a slice of pizza
• Glass of wine – 4-6 euro
• Coffee – 3-4 euro

Regional dishes in Toulon France

• Cade Toulonnaise

Cheap Eats in Toulon France

• Boulangeries (French bakeries) are a great place to get cheap and delicious food. Baguettes are typically around 1 euro. Croissants and pain au chocolat are also around 1 euro. Other common food that can be found in boulangeries include quiches, pastries, sandwiches as well as pizzas.
• Crêpes are a great cheap eat option in France. They are made fresh to order and are a delicious local food. Expect to pay 1-5 euro per crêpe, depending on the filling.

Fine dining in Toulon France

Toulon is home to a number of Michelin Guide restaurants.

Michelin Plate restaurants in Toulon France (2023)

• Beam!
• Au Sourd
• Racines

Toulon France culture

France national holidays

• New Year’s Day – 1 January
• Good Friday – the Friday before Easter Sunday, typically in March or April. This is only observed in Alsace and Moselle.
• Easter Monday – the Monday after Easter Sunday, typically in March or April.
• Labor Day – 1 May
• Victory Day – 8 May
• Ascension Day – this is celebrated 40 days after Easter
• Whit Sunday – this is the Christian holiday of Pentecost. It is celebrated 50 days after Easter, typically in May or June
• Whit Monday – it is the day after Whit Sunday, typically in May or June
• Bastille Day – 14 July
• Assumption Day – 15 August
• All Saints Day – 1 November
• Armistice Day – 11 November
• Christmas Day – 25 December
• St Stephen’s Day – 26 December. This is only observed in Alsace and Moselle.

National symbols of France

• France flag – a tricolour flag featuring three vertical bands coloured blue, white and red from left to right.
• France coat of arms – this features a lictor’s fasces (a bundle of wooden rods with an axe protruding from the top). This symbol rests on branches of laurel and oak. There is also a ribbon with the national motto “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”. The lictor’s fasces represents magisterial power, law and governance. The oak is the national tree of France and symbolises strength and endurance. The laurel is a symbol of triumph.
• National flower – fleur-de-lis (also known as the lily flower)
• National bird – Gallic rooster

France pastimes

• National dish – Pot-au-Feu
• Popular drinks – Pastis, wine
• National sport – football
• Religion – 41% Catholic, 40% non-religious (as at 2019)

Famous people from Toulon France

• Famous people born in Toulon France – oceanographic explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau, filmmaker and explorer Philippe Cousteau, scuba diver and aquanaut Simone Melchior, politician Paolo Ignazio Maria Thaon di Revel, singer Camélia Jordana, model Anais Mali, screenwriter Fabien Fournier, multimedia artist Cyril Rolando, model and actress Capucine, singer Gilbert Bécaud, model and actress Mireille Darc
• Sports stars from Toulon France – footballer Bruno Bellone, karateka Sophia Bouderbane, rugby union player Virgile Bruni, Olympic fencer Émile Coste, rugby union player Christophe Dominici, golfer Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, footballer Sébastien Squillaci

Is Toulon France Safe?

France travel guide: Safety in France

We travelled through France for two months and found the country to be extremely safe. As with any country, there are good areas as well as bad areas. Watch out for pickpockets particularly in Paris, Marseilles, Nice, Lyon, Cannes as well as Strasbourg. Also, make sure no-one is watching whenever you are entering pin codes and never lose sight of your credit card when making a purchase.

General safety considerations in France

Other general safety considerations for travel in France:

• Drinking water – The tap water is safe to drink in Toulon.
• Mosquitoes – the tiger mosquito has been present in France since 2004. This type of mosquito spreads diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikunguya.
• Road safety – French motorways are the safest in continental Europe. However the National and Departmental roads are much less safe. Additionally, roads are the leading cause of violent death in the country. Take care on the roads in France.
• Water safety – If you visit any of the beaches or waterways near Toulon take care when swimming as currents and waves may be stronger than you expect.
• Sun safety – Exposure to the sun can have adverse short-term and long-term effects on the skin, eyes as well as the immune system. Sun protection such as sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses is very important to ensure you don’t get burnt.

As with any destination, take all of your normal safety precautions.

France Blogs

You can find our France travel blogs below.

Affiliate Links

This website contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission on any purchases at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue our travels and make more travel blogs and travel videos, thank you!