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

Should you visit Toulon or Caen?

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

Toulon

Toulon is a off-the-beaten-path, real world, and industrial port city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping.

Caen

Caen is a historic, park-filled, and important city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and museums.

Toulon and Caen: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Caen?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Caen than Toulon. While Toulon is larger than Caen, Caen has more sights and attractions for tourists. Caen is more popular for its museums, food, and big city activities, while Toulon is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Caen is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its role in World War II and its memorials and historical buildings. It is also home to Pegasus Bridge. Toulon is popular for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Caen?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Caen is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Caen specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are many monuments around town commemorating the city's long history. You'll want to see Château de Caen, Pegasus Bridge, Mémorial de Caen, Musée de Normandie, and Musée des beaux-arts de Caen.

Toulon offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

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

Caen is a well-known 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.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Caen makes for a great culinary experience. There's a market that's at its best on Sundays where you'll find fresh produce and other local ingredients. There are also Michelin starred restaurants, seafood restaurants, and other traditional dishes. Head to the Vaugueux Quarter for traditional 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 Caen Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and Caen are good 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 Caen. The nightlife scene stays active thanks to the 30,000 students living in town. Head to the Rue Ecuyère for a pub crawl or hit up any of the other bars around town.

Is Toulon or Caen Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to 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.

Caen is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Caen Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a good destination for its beaches. However, Caen is not a beach destination.

Toulon offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Caen is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Caen Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for its historic old town. However, Caen does not have a historic old town.

Toulon is a good place to visit the old town. The old town has plazas, terraced cafes, and plenty of outdoor shopping opportunities that visitors can enjoy.

Caen does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Caen?

Toulon is a very popular place for shopping. However, Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

Caen is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Toulon or Caen Better for Families?

You'll find good kid-friendly activities in either Toulon or Caen.

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.

Caen is a family-friendly port city. There are museums, parks, monasteries, and castles that kids and adults alike with enjoy visiting.

Is Toulon or Caen Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Caen are good 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.

Caen makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples that are fascinated by history will enjoy a visit to this town in Normandy. There are also abbeys, castles and parks.

Is Toulon or Caen Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Toulon and Caen are good 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 Caen. You'll find more apartments and bed and breakfasts than hostels in town, but backpackers still make their way here.

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

Caen is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Caen is fairly effecient and thorough. There are buses and trams that travel throughout the city.

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

Is Toulon or Caen a more walkable city?

Toulon is a very popular place for its walkability. Also, Caen is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its high level of walkability.

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

Caen is a somewhat walkable place. The city center is best explored on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Caen or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Caen?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Toulon and Caen. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Caen than in Toulon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toulon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Caen.

Families should spend more time in Toulon than Caen. 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 Caen. 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 Caen 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 Caen?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Toulon. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the destination of Caen. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Caen?

Toulon is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Caen 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 Caen?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the off-the-beaten-path destination of Toulon. This port city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

The authentic port city of Toulon offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the park-filled destination of Caen. This city 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 Caen, we can see that Caen 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 Caen Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Caen?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Caen. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Caen, 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 Caen?

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 Caen in the Summer?

Both Caen and Toulon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Toulon in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Caen for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Toulon is a little warmer than Caen in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Caen fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Caen, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Caen. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 227 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Caen. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Caen in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Caen. Most visitors come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Caen because of the city's sights and attractions.

In the autumn, Toulon is a little warmer than Caen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulon in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Caen averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Caen during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than Caen. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Caen receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Caen in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Caen. The winter months attract visitors to Toulon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Caen this time of year.

It's quite cold in Caen in the winter. In January, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Caen. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 7°C (44°F), and Caen fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Caen. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Caen receives 70 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in January than Caen. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Caen receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Caen in the Spring?

Both Caen and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Caen for the activities around the city.

Toulon is a little warmer than Caen in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Caen fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Caen during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Caen receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives more rain than Caen. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Caen receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Caen and Toulon