A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Auxerre for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Toulon or Auxerre?

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 Auxerre can help you decide which place is right for you.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Auxerre

Auxerre is a authentic, under-rated, and undiscovered town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for food and museums.

Toulon and Auxerre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Auxerre?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Toulon than Auxerre, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Toulon is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Auxerre is more popular for its small town charm. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. Also, Toulon is famous for The Old Town. Auxerre is well known for its food, wine, and art history.

How is Toulon different from Auxerre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Auxerre 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 Auxerre?

Both Toulon and Auxerre have notable 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.

Auxerre offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Although the town is often overlooked by tourists, there are many nice cathedrals and churches around town.

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

Dining out at restaurants in both Toulon and Auxerre can be an enjoyable experience.

Toulon offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Auxerre has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The town is a the heart of the wine industry, so you'll find many great restaurants where you can enjoy local food and wine.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for Nightlife?

Toulon is very good for its evening party scene. However, Auxerre is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Toulon has a few options to choose from. 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.

Most people don't head to Auxerre specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It has a quiet nightlife with some nice bars and pubs.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for Beaches?

Toulon is very good for the beach. However, Auxerre 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.

Auxerre is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Toulon is worth visiting. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Auxerre does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Auxerre?

Toulon is great for its shopping areas. However, Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulon. 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.

Auxerre is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for Families?

You'll find notable kid-friendly activities in either Toulon or Auxerre.

Toulon is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Auxerre is a family-friendly port city. There's the Zoo de La Fleche and the Aquarium de Touraine. You can also wander through Musee de l'Avallon or des Plantes.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Auxerre are notable destinations to visit as a couple.

Toulon is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Auxerre makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many great eateries as well nice architecture and, of course, excellent wine.

Is Toulon or Auxerre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toulon is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Auxerre is not a good destination 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.

Auxerre is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a popular stop off on the backpacker circuit, but you will find some affordable accommodation options.

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

Both Toulon and Auxerre offer notable 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.

Auxerre has some public transit options. There are buses around town.

Is Toulon or Auxerre a more walkable city?

Toulon is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Auxerre is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

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

Auxerre is somewhat walkable. The center is walkable but it is a bit more difficult to navigate than some nearby towns.

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

Should I spend more time in Auxerre or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Auxerre?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulon or Auxerre to fill your time. In our opinion, Toulon has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Toulon than Auxerre. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toulon than Auxerre if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Toulon.

One day in Toulon or Auxerre?

In Toulon, you'll find nightlife and food. This port city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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

A weekend in Toulon or Auxerre?

In Toulon, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Toulon has to offer.

Auxerre 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.

Five days in Toulon or Auxerre?

Toulon is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Auxerre. 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 Auxerre?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Auxerre. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Auxerre, we can see that Toulon is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Auxerre?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Auxerre. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Auxerre, 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 Auxerre?

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 Auxerre in the Summer?

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

In July, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 24°C (75°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Auxerre. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 255 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Auxerre. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Auxerre in the Autumn?

Both Auxerre 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 Auxerre for the small town atmosphere.

Toulon is a little warmer than Auxerre in the autumn. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Auxerre fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than Auxerre. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Auxerre in the Winter?

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

Auxerre can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Toulon is much warmer than Auxerre. Typically, the winter temperatures in Toulon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Auxerre averages at about 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Auxerre. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Auxerre receives 53 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in January than Auxerre. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Auxerre in the Spring?

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

In April, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Auxerre. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 13°C (56°F), and Auxerre fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Auxerre during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Auxerre receives 167 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Auxerre. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Auxerre receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Auxerre and Toulon