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Toulon

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Var

Toulon - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Var
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Nestling in one of Europe's most beautiful harbours, Toulon shows the influence of both its medieval past and its maritime history. Let's start our tour with the extremely picturesque old town, which boasts a rich architectural heritage. The typical narrow streets will lead you to the 18th-century Church of St. Louis, with a Neo-Classical façade and a superb cupola with lanterns. Then you will come to the charming Place Puget where the astonishing Three Dolphins fountain stands, covered with lush greenery. A few streets from there, Toulon Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds) is an 11th-century building that was later extended in the 17th century. Its beautiful Classical façade is decorated with Baroque motifs and gives way to an interior that is both Romanesque and Gothic. At a height of 36 metres, its bell tower is crowned by a wrought iron campanile dating from 1740. Continue discovering the city by experiencing all the scents and flavours at the daily market on Cours Lafayette, a must if you really want to immerse yourself in Toulon's Provençal atmosphere. The beautiful opera house overlooking Place Victor Hugo should also be included in your tour itinerary.

Cronstadt quay, running along the harbour and dotted with shops, restaurants and cafés, is a very pleasant place for a stroll. Here you can see the Darse Vieille, the old inner harbour created during the reign of Henry IV, and the new one, the Darse Neuve, built by Vauban at the end of the 17th century. There is also the Royal Tower, a listed Historic Monument that tells a chapter of the city's maritime history. Initially a defensive structure, it later became a prison, then an annex of the National Naval Museum, before it was bought by the city of Toulon in 2006. A landscaped park has been created by the sea to offer a pleasant place to stroll, with a stunning view of Toulon's harbour! Next, why not opt for a guided boat tour of the harbour? On this pleasant boat ride you can learn more about the military port and its impressive ships.

Towering over the city, Mount Faron is a must-see Toulon landmark. This limestone massif culminates at 584 metres above sea level and offers a magnificent view over the rooftops of the maritime city, the immense harbour and the Saint-Mandrier peninsula! To reach the top, climb aboard the cable car and once you get there, follow one of the maintained trails to enjoy the various viewpoints.

Toulon also has several interesting museums such as the National Naval Museum (Musée National de la Marine), entirely devoted to the history of the French Navy and offering a large collection of models and paintings. Entry is via the old Porte de l'Arsenal gate. The Toulon and Region History Museum will take you on a journey through the city's past with its paintings, etchings and old documents. On Mount Faron, the Memorial to the Landings in Provence, inaugurated by General de Gaulle in 1964, tells the story of the Allies' liberation of South-East France in August 1944.

After all those discoveries, take a well-earned rest on one of the city's beaches, such as Plage du Mourillon. Enjoy a spot of shopping on Rue des Arts, with its cluster of art galleries, artists' studios and creators' shops. Finally, don't forget to stop for lunch and sample some bourride, a soup made from aïoli and white fish.

Additional information
Toulon

Sa situation géographique, son histoire, ses traditions, ses spécialités gastronomiques.

Things to see and do

A city tour can logically start with what made his fame: the port, particularly the military base. With a little luck, one can observe the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle when he is not on a mission. In summer, the tourist train that offers many tours on Toulon allows an interior visit of the arsenal; However, in any season, it is also possible to discover all of the harbor by boat (information on +33 4 94 18 53 00).

In the same area, do not forget to admire the sculpture of Louis-Joseph Dumas said "Cuverville", pointing his index finger towards the Big Blue, and of course the National Museum of the Navy and its unique collection of model ships...

Sea side always, the Mourillon district has some 20 hectares of managed beaches, family, which can be practiced many water sports (surfing, sailing, etc.). Finally, hikers can walk the coastal footpath that follows the coast.

In the city center, to discover freely or through general or thematic tours, such as which toured the 18 fountains of the city (information on +33 4 94 18 53 00), a step is needed on the course that Lafayette hosts a colorful and picturesque market typically Provençal, every day, and immortalized by the song by Gilbert Bécaud.

Note along the course some beautiful mansions of the eighteenth and curiosity: a cannonball remained "embedded" in a facade, witness the siege of the city in 1793...

The Church of St. Louis (which served as a barracks time!), The Cathedral of St. Mary of the Seds (XVII) or the Saint-François-de-Paule (typical Provençal Baroque) are also to be discovered.

Place Puget (and fountain at the Three Dolphins), the Freedom Square (where a fountain, again, illustrates this time the start of the Statue of Liberty to America) or Opera (dating from 1862 renovated, it is considered one of the finest provincial theaters), are also to see.

We can only advise the fashionable rue des Arts to discover artisans, small shops of mouth, cafes and restaurants.

After a break in the heart of the pretty garden Alexander I in the Chalucet neighborhood, the neighborhood of Creativity and Knowledge, the transition from tourist to Toulon still has the option to visit the stunning House of Photography since 2002 installed in a old steam circular structure and the collections are worth a glance, or the contemporary art center whose entrance is free (within the Hotel des arts, a building of the early twentieth century).

More anecdotal, but worth the detour, the amazing "boat" sculpture in one of the alleys of the old Toulon!

Finally, you can not leave the city without winning the Mont Faron which dominates the top of its 584 meters! To do this, you borrow a cable car that seems to follow the steep cliffs: a path which already offers spectacular panoramas. At the top, a unique perspective on the city and the harbor delights the visitor who does not then miss the Landing museum in Provence and family, the Zoo which are hosted on endangered species (bears, hyenas...). Always on the heights of the mountain trails allow to understand the wealth of fauna and flora. Rates (with pass including cable and visit the zoo, in particular) and information on +33 4 94 92 68 25.

To make the circuit fountains Toulon.

Places of interest

Information points
Leisure centres
Monuments
Natural sites
Performance halls
Transport

Events and festivities

In April, over three days, a Bacchus feast celebrates the wine and gastronomy of the region, on the Place d'Armes.

At the same time, a festival of manga and Japanese culture takes place at Congress Center.

In May, Place d'Armes, it succeeds a festival dedicated to street painting.

In June and July, up to the summer session of the music festival (classical) in the gardens of the royal tower and the collegiate church of Six-Fours (and from October to April, operas and concerts are held at the opera or the congress center).

Also in July, the rock festival and Jazz festival Rockorama Toulon to offer quality shows.

Mid-July, Jazz Toulon, free festival 15 concerts open on Toulonnaises seats.

The year ends with the week of the Organ and the Palace of the Game and Toy in October and the book festival in November.

For all these events, information +33 4 94 18 53 00.

Photos

View Toulon from Mount Faron (© Frantz)
View Toulon from Mount Faron (© Frantz)
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Place Raimu (© Frantz)
Place Raimu (© Frantz)
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Chalucet and garden (© OT Toulon)
Chalucet and garden (© OT Toulon)
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The beaches of Mourillon (© OT Toulon)
The beaches of Mourillon (© OT Toulon)
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1 Alexander Garden (© OT Toulon)
1 Alexander Garden (© OT Toulon)
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Opera Toulon (© OT Toulon)
Opera Toulon (© OT Toulon)
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Lane Toulon (© Frantz)
Lane Toulon (© Frantz)
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Balcony Pierre Puget (© Frantz)
Balcony Pierre Puget (© Frantz)
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Mont Faron (© Frantz)
Mont Faron (© Frantz)
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The Toulon station (© OT Toulon)
The Toulon station (© OT Toulon)
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The cove Mejean (© City of Toulon)
The cove Mejean (© City of Toulon)
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Mont Faron (© Frantz)
Mont Faron (© Frantz)
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Balcony Pierre Puget (© Frantz)
Balcony Pierre Puget (© Frantz)
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Balcony Pierre Puget (© Frantz)
Balcony Pierre Puget (© Frantz)
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Marina de Toulon, Kronstadt dock
Marina de Toulon, Kronstadt dock
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Poster Jazz Toulon
Poster Jazz Toulon
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The Lafayette market price (© OT Toulon)
The Lafayette market price (© OT Toulon)
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Place Puget (© OT Toulon)
Place Puget (© OT Toulon)
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Place the bracket (© OT Toulon)
Place the bracket (© OT Toulon)
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The Rue des Arts (© OT Toulon)
The Rue des Arts (© OT Toulon)
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The fountain of the Federation and the Grand Hotel (© OT Toulon)
The fountain of the Federation and the Grand Hotel (© OT Toulon)
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Fountains of Toulon (© OT Toulon)
Fountains of Toulon (© OT Toulon)
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The cable car on Mount Faron (© OT Toulon)
The cable car on Mount Faron (© OT Toulon)
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Wearing Toulon (© OT Toulon)
Wearing Toulon (© OT Toulon)
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The statue of Cuverville (© OT Toulon)
The statue of Cuverville (© OT Toulon)
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Visits, leisure and activities nearby

Discover La Valette-du-Var: Nestled between the sea and the hinterland of Provence, Valletta is close to major highways and close to the airport Toulon-Hyeres. La Valette-du-Var today has 22 000 inhabitants, and its current evolution incorporates strong elements of local identity: a modern city which nevertheless seeks to maintain its Provencal village character; and a diverse architectural heritage and natural environment. The attachment to the natural heritage is not a fleeting love. The Domain Baudouvin and Orvès Domain received the label Remarkable Garden, recognition of national dimension.

Discover Revest-les-Eaux: Standing out in the middle of greenery, Le Revest-les-Eaux offers an exceptional and quiet. Hemmed at the foot of Mount Caume, Faron and Grand Cape, this village dominates the Dardennes Valley, with panoramic views of the sea, La Seyne, Cape Town Sicié. From its rocky promontory, the medieval tower of the thirteenth century overlooking the emerald waters of the dam Dardennes. Built in 1912, it decorates the village a point of freshness of a big wild and natural beauty. Upstream, the Ragas, Vaucluse kind of resurgence, is the outlet of a succession of sources, mostly submerged, feeding the lake. 2400 hectares of nature on which extend Le Revest-les-Eaux is a pleasant site for walking through the GR99 and 51. For lovers of flora, many trails, combine the charms of the walk of those discovery of traditional species of Provence.

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