The 17 things to do in Toulon

Visit Toulon: what are the best things to do and to see in this sunny city of South France?

It’s gone to Toulon! Located in the noon of France, halfway between Marseille and Saint Tropez, Toulon is a pleasant city of more than 170,000 inhabitants, bordering the beautiful Mediterranean. Enjoy a terrace on one of the shaded squares, stroll through the shops along the typical Provençal streets, and let yourself be charmed by this pleasant city.

Visiting Toulon is enjoying its omnipresent sun, its hidden beaches and coves, its fishing port, its funicular, and its smiling inhabitants. All this makes it an ideal holiday place for this summer! This artistic, cultural and living city is full of activities in its heart, and its surroundings are just as remarkable! So, if you ask that to do in Toulon and its surroundings, it’s here!

1. The Rade de Toulon

If you are going to visit Toulon, it is essential to make a guided boat ride on The Rade , where Toulon's maritime history will be conted to you! For almost an hour, the Bateliers de la rade will make you discover a whole heritage that beyond its history, promises panoramas worthy of postcards.

2. La Cathédrale Sainte Marie de la Seds

If you stroll around the heart of the medieval city, do not miss admiring, and even visiting the cathedral . Built in the 5th century and sits in the Diocese of Toulon, this historic listed monument will surprise you with its blend of style!

3. The Toulon History Museum and its region

What are you looking for in Toulon? In this free museum , you will discover many works of art, pieces and souvenirs of all kinds, in connection with the social, economic, military, religious or artistic history of Toulon and its region.

4. The Lafayette course market

Certainly the best known of the city, Lafayette course market has all the codes of the typical Provencal market: Mediterranean colours, smells of herbs of Provence, singing accents, fresh and seasonal products... From Tuesday to Sunday, walk in the heart of this must-see place!

5. A boat ride

Visiting Toulon is also enjoying its coastline. Indeed, very nice excursions are to be made by boat, such as the visit of the Toulon rade or the visit of the island Porquerolles .

It would be a shame not to rent a boat in Toulon , and thus miss the Mediterranean setting to go there.

6. The Opera

Listed as historical monuments, the Opera of the city, located Place Victor Hugo is a magnificent building of the old centre whose inhabitants are proud. At more than 150 years of existence, the Opera is renowned for its acoustics and reception capacity for up to 1,100 people. You will be seduced by the architecture of this historic listed monument that, beyond its walls, displays as rich as varied cultural programming each year.

7. The National Marine Museum

Toulon has the largest military port in France, which is also the first naval base in Europe. His fabulous Marine Museum will delight both the enthusiasts and the curious, thanks to an incredible collection of models, paintings and maps, tracing the entire maritime history of the city.

8. Le Mont Faron

If you are going to visit Toulon, it is THE mountain of Toulonnais. The Mont Faron is a must if you are looking for what to do in Toulon. If you love nature and want to disconnect a little from the city, follow one of the marked trails that climb around this mountain of white limestone, 584 m high. You will enjoy a bowl of fresh air, overlooking the Mediterranean. You can also choose to take the cable car that goes up to the top to admire the city from above.

Once at the top, visit the faverie, a breeding centre for faves that ensures the survival of endangered species. A unique activity!

9. Landing memorial

Also located at the top of Mont Faron, discover the disembarkation memorial recently renovated and reopened (2017). Located in the Beaumont Tower, this is a great tribute to all veterans!

10. The beaches of Toulon

Are you still wondering what to do in Toulon? Who says holiday says beach obviously! And that’s not what Toulon misses! Between Mourillon beach and its nautical base, beaches of the Mitre , wilder, the charm of the years Méjean or Magaud, the beach of Pipady or the hidden coves that line the coast of Cap Brun , you will have the embarrassment of choice.

11. The Mourillon district

Located east of Toulon, The Mourillon is actually a small village enclaved in the city. The day, discover its alleys, shops, church and market, typical and colourful. In the evening you can sit at the table of one of the restaurants that line the beach or the streets, to enjoy a delicious meal with Provencal flavours.

12. Place Puget

Formerly the main square of the city, Place Puget is a place of the most pleasant to spend a moment on the terrace. It is also in its centre that the superb fountain of the Three Dauphins, covered with lush vegetation, sits on. Somme toute, la place Puget est un lieu plein de charme, caractéristique de la Provence !

13. The Mayol Stadium

What to do in Toulon? Visit one of the city's emblems! This is where the Rugby Club Toulonnais Get on stage. Located in the heart of the city , the stadium is a mythical symbol of the city, which also saw playing Johnny Hallyday, and one of Bob Marley’s last concerts in 1980!

14. The Church of Saint Louis

Admire this Neoclassical church , classified as a historic monument, whose construction was completed just before the Revolution. Its superb dome located just above the hotel embellishes in turn the walls of this heritage symbol.

15. The kiosks

In the street Prosper Ferrero , you will find an emblem of Toulonnaise culture: kiosks. There you will find many old books, limited editions, comics for the greatest fans of comics, or old DVD for collectors.

16. The Art Street

Are you still wondering what to do in Toulon? If you walk in the old centre of Toulon, make a detour by the rue des Arts , a neighbourhood for art and living art. You will find many Art Galleries, artist and designer workshops, and other designer boutiques. If you are looking for a nice place to restore, the choice will be wide: many small cafes and bars line the squares of this atypical place.

17. Surroundings of Toulon

If you choose to visit Toulon and stay there, you will be ideally placed to radiate in the beautiful varoi country. Close to Toulon you will find very beautiful resorts to discover :

Bandol

Just 15 km away, the vitivole region of Bandol is well known for tasting its delicious local wines.

Sanary-sur-Mer

In a few minutes of car (10km), you can go to Sanary-sur-Mer , a seaside resort known to be quieter than its neighbors of the Riviera. Its small port, its pastel houses, and its quiet beaches will undoubtedly charm you.

Hyères

Renowned for its incredible terrestrial, marine and submarine landscapes, Hyères is a must if you are going to visit Toulon. Just like the Hyères Islands and Porquerolles Island. For nautical spell lovers, the Bay of Hyères will be a real paradise, with here, kayaking, kitesurfing or paddle!

La Presqu’Île de Giens

Beaches, small fishing villages, nature reserve, beautiful coastal promenade... It's all together. Near Giens Island for a beautiful day by the water, on a breathtaking geographical site.

Cassis and its calanques

About 30 kilometers, stop in Cassis, and opt for a excursion by boat along the Calanques. The bravest will venture to discover them on a hike to the sandstone Parc National des Calanques !

Saint Tropez

Want to taste Jet Set's life? A little trick. Saint Tropez be it! High sewing shopping, trendy evenings, private beaches or simple visit to the city and its port filled with yacht... You choose from the essentials of this symbolic destination.

The Verdon Regional Natural Park

Drive a little (about two hours) and venture into one of the most beautiful natural parks in France, that of France Verdon . Enjoy the turquoise waters of the lakes, discover the picturesque villages and stroll along the many marked paths that stalk it.

How do I get to Toulon?

• By plane

Coming by air, it is possible to land at Toulon-Hyère Airport, located 25 minutes from the centre of Toulon. The airport is served by the companies Hop, Flybe, +Swiss, Transavia, Air corsica and finally TUI Fly. Moreover, whatever the company of your choice, your departure city and your dates of stay, do not hesitate to compare prices on Ulysses which lists the best flight deals.

Once on site, you can choose the shuttle: the line 102 (Airport – Toulon Bus station) provides daily transfers for €1.40 per trip. Several taxis also transfer to the place of your choice. I mean, you know that car rental is a profitable option! Toulon is a city where driving is easily practiced, and the surroundings of the city deserve a look, nothing better so, than a greater freedom of movement during your stay.

• By car

By the road, coming to Toulon is easy: A50 serves the city of Toulon at exits no.15 and 16.

• By train

By train, many TGV and TER stop at the SNCF station in Toulon.

• By bus

The Ouibus and Flexibus companies provide routes from and to the city of Toulon. Also, the Varlib network is a network of buses that will allow you to move throughout the Var department.

Where to stay in Toulon?

If you choose to visit Toulon, you can read our article on areas where to stay in Toulon , which will give you some ideas of feet to the ground. We only know that too well, the south of France is stormed during the summer! So don’t forget to book your accommodation in advance, especially using this Compare hotels which lists the cheapest rates according to your departure dates.

Rent an apartment on Airbnb remains the most effective and practical solution if you want to visit Toulon! But some hotels with Provençal charm could make you look!

So you still wonder what to do in Toulon and its surroundings?