A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Annecy for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Toulon or Annecy?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Annecy can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Annecy

Annecy is a storybook, charming, and stunning alpine town. This is also a fantastic small town with plenty of charm and local activities. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Toulon and Annecy: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Annecy?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Annecy. Although Toulon and Annecy are popular destinations, Annecy has more sights and attractions for tourists. Annecy is very popular for its food, historical sights, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Annecy is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its charming old town and its beautiful, lakefront, alpine setting. It is also well known for Palais de l'Isle. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Annecy?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Annecy and Toulon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulon or Annecy?

Both Toulon and Annecy have nice landmarks and museums for visitors.

Toulon is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many of the sights are found in the old town and harbor areas. Some of the most interesting attractions include the Opera House, the Allied Landings Museum, the Naval Museum, and Cathédrale Sainte-Marie-de-la-Seds.

Annecy offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The old town and lakefront setting is what brings the tourists, but there are several unique landmarks around town as well. Palais de l'Île is the most photographed spot in the old town. Also worth visiting are Musée-Château d'Annecy, Eglise Saint-Maurice, and Cathédrale Saint-Pierre.

Is the Food Better in Toulon or Annecy? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its restaurants.

Annecy has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Fresh caught fish and local French specialties make this town a wonderful culinary destination. The old town is filled with restaurants, cafes, and markets where you can enjoy local ingredients. There are many local dishes to try with some of the most popular being Tartiflette, Raclette, and Gratin de crozets. Fondue is also popular. You'll find cheese is a common component in many dishes.

Toulon has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a variety of cafes and restaurants that are found along the harbor or in the old town. Whether you want waterfront views or a charming street front cafe, there are great options available. Many restaurants offer local seafood but you'll also find pastries, traditional local food, a several Italian restaurants.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and Annecy are nice when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Toulon. It's a relatively large city and traditionally a sailor's town, so the city has a long running tradition of partying into the night. While it doesn't have the party-hard reputation of some places, you likely won't be bored at night. Head to the harbor area or the beaches around Mourillon for the most lively bars and cafes.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Annecy. There are bars and pubs to visit with one of the most popular bar-hopping streets being Rue Sainte-Claire.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Annecy is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Toulon. There are a few beaches in the area that are worth checking out with a mask and snorkel. You'll likely see some underwater life hanging out by the rocks in the quieter areas.

Annecy is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Beaches?

Toulon is very good for the beache. However, Annecy is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Toulon to enjoy the beach. The beaches are sandy and less crowded than some of the more popular areas. The most accessible beach is Mourillon Beach which has public facilities and restaurants. If you're willing to venture a little farther from the center of town you'll find Mitre Beach which has some snorkeling. Battere Basse Beach is a bit quieter and also has snorkeling. Anse de Méjean is a popular spot with the locals.

Annecy is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for its Old Town?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

With a famous historical old-town, Annecy offers plenty to see. This is among the most beautiful old towns in Europe. It sits along the banks of Lake Annecy and the water integrates beautifully into the setting.

You can check out the historic old town in Toulon. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Hiking?

Annecy is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Annecy is a popular spot for hiking. There are a range of hikes just out of town that cover all ability levels. There are flat, waterfront strolls as well as more strenuous mountain treks. La Tournette is one of the most famous hikes in the area. Other options include Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier and Gorges du Fier.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Annecy?

Toulon is a great port city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Annecy is not as popular, but is still a nice alpine town for its shopping areas.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. If you're looking for traditional local shopping opportunities then this is your place. There are a number of traditional Provençal markets around town but the most famous is Cours Lafayette. You can shop with the locals looking for produce or flowers. There's also a weekend farmers market, Petit Cours, that is fun to explore.

Many visitors go to Annecy to go shopping. Three times a week you can check out the Old Town Market. Another popular shopping street is Rue Royale.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Families?

Annecy is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Annecy is a very family-friendly place to visit. Families can enjoy getting out on the lake by renting a boat or going for a swim. Check out Wibit Water Park or let the kids play at Leisure Center Orange Montisel. There's also a great playground for kids right by the waterfront. Hiking and exploring are also fun for the whole family.

Toulon is a family-friendly port city. The city may be known as a hub for the French navy, but there are also activities that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There are several military themed museums, a few good beaches, and local shopping. There's also the enjoyable cable car ride that you can take to the top of Mont Faron as well as several nice seaside walks in the area.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Couples?

Annecy is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

For those traveling as a couple, Annecy has plenty to offer. It's a romantic French mountain town with beautiful scenery and a wonderful lake. Couples can enjoy outdoor activities or wandering through one of the best old towns in the region. The beauty and natural setting make this a wonderful couples destination.

Toulon makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will appreciate the walks along the coast or through the harbor. There are also nice restaurants, interesting art galleries, and a few good hotels around town that make for a nice couple's weekend.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Toulon and Annecy are nice destinations for backpackers.

Toulon is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It doesn't have the reputation of many nearby towns along the French Riviera, so you can still find some affordable hostels and cafes in the area. You also won't find the crowds so you can enjoy a touch of the authentic local culture.

It's common for backpackers to visit Annecy. It's a world class mountain destination that attracts families and vacationers, but there aren't as many hostels around town as backpackers would like.

Is Toulon or Annecy Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Toulon and Annecy offer nice public transit options.

Toulon has a few public transit options. There are buses as well as petits trains (little tourist trains) that you can take around town.

Annecy has some public transit options. The Sibra public transport system offers buses that travel through Annecy and around the lake, stopping at many towns along the way.

Is Toulon or Annecy a more walkable city?

Toulon and Annecy both are very good when exploring on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. You can walk around the old town and harbor area where many of the sights are concentrated.

Annecy is a very walkable port city. The old town is filled with pedestrian streets that are perfect to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is Annecy Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Annecy or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Annecy?

It's fun to spend time in either Toulon or Annecy. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Annecy due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toulon, and 2-4 days is enough time in Annecy.

Families should spend more time in Annecy than Toulon. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Annecy, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Annecy than Toulon. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Annecy that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Toulon or Annecy?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Toulon. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

Annecy might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Annecy?

Toulon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Annecy is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toulon or Annecy?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Annecy. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Annecy?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the real world destination of Toulon. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Annecy is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This alpine town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to France, The Best Budget Tours to France, The Best Tours for Seniors to France, and The Best Contiki Tours to France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toulon and Annecy, we can see that Annecy is more expensive. And not only is Toulon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Toulon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Toulon and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Annecy would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Annecy than you might in Toulon.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Toulon Expensive? and Is Annecy Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Annecy?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Annecy, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Toulon or Annecy?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Toulon or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Annecy. The summer months attract visitors to Toulon because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Annecy this time of year.

In the summer, Toulon is around the same temperature as Annecy. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulon in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Annecy averages at about 22°C (71°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Annecy. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Annecy. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Annecy in the Autumn?

Both Annecy and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 16°C (61°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than Annecy. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Toulon during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Toulon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Annecy in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Annecy can get quite cold in the winter. Toulon is much warmer than Annecy in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Annecy. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in January than Annecy. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Annecy in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Annecy. Many visitors come to Toulon in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Annecy for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Toulon is a little warmer than Annecy. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulon in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Annecy averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Annecy during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives less rain than Annecy. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Toulon