A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Carcassonne for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Old Town

Should you visit Toulon or Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a medieval, historical, and fairytale town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food and museums.

Toulon and Carcassonne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Carcassonne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulon. Although Toulon and Carcassonne are both popular with visitors, Toulon has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Toulon is more popular for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Carcassonne is known for its museums, food, historical sights, and small town charm. Carcassonne is more touristy than Toulon and is popular for its medieval history, walled fortifications, and well-known castle. Toulon is popular for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also home to The Old Town.

How is Toulon different from Carcassonne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The town is filled with medieval sights including the Château Comtal, the Basilica of Saints Nazarius and Celsus, and the Carcassonne Cathedral.

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 Carcassonne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Carcassonne 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, Carcassonne makes for a great culinary experience. There are a number of local restaurants that serve regional specialties such as cassoulet. You can spend a few hours exploring the castle and then grab a delicious bite to eat.

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 Carcassonne Better for Nightlife?

Toulon is a good destination for nightlife. However, Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe 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.

Carcassonne is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a good destination for its beaches. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne Better for its Old Town?

Carcassonne is very good for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

Many visitors go to Carcassonne to see the historical old town. The medieval walled city is seeped in history and filled with atmosphere. Cars are not allowed in town.

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 the Shopping Better in Toulon or Carcassonne?

Toulon is a very popular place for shopping. However, Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne Better for Families?

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

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.

Carcassonne is a family-friendly port city. Kids who love castles will enjoy wandering the maze of rooms and getting lost in the medieval atmosphere.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Carcassonne 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.

Carcassonne makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a medieval city with an impressive castle and walled fortifications. It's a uniquely European sight that is great for couples who enjoy history.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Carcassonne is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Carcassonne. There are interesting hostels in the area including a converted 17th century convent.

It's common for backpackers to visit Toulon. 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.

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

Both Toulon and Carcassonne offer good 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.

Carcassonne has some public transit options. You can reach the town by train from Dijon, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, or Bordeaux and many people visit the town as a day trip.

Is Toulon or Carcassonne a more walkable city?

Carcassonne is an unbeatable place for its walkability. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its high level of walkability.

It is easy to get around Carcassonne on foot. Cars aren't allowed in the medieval city so it's best to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Carcassonne or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Carcassonne?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Carcassonne than Toulon 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 Carcassonne.

One day in Toulon or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the real world port city of Toulon. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this port city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

A weekend in Toulon or Carcassonne?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the industrial destination of Toulon. This port city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne?

The real world port city of Toulon offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

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

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Toulon. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the fairytale destination of Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Carcassonne?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Toulon is around the same temperature as Carcassonne in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Carcassonne, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Carcassonne. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Toulon is around the same temperature as Carcassonne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulon in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 17°C (62°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Carcassonne during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Carcassonne. 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 Carcassonne this time of year.

In January, Toulon is generally cooler than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 7°C (44°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Carcassonne. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in January than Carcassonne. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Carcassonne in the Spring?

Both Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Toulon is around the same temperature as Carcassonne in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Carcassonne 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 Carcassonne during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives around the same amount of rain as Carcassonne. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Toulon