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

Should you visit Toulon or Le Mans?

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 Le Mans 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 gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Le Mans

Le Mans is a small, historic, and quaint town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. It's also known for nightlife and museums.

Toulon and Le Mans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Le Mans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Toulon than Le Mans, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Toulon is more popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Le Mans is known for its small town charm. Toulon is popular for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also home to The Old Town. Le Mans is popular for being the location of the annual 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is one of the world's greatest sports-car races.

How is Toulon different from Le Mans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Both Toulon and Le Mans have good 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.

Le Mans offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. It's most famous as the location of the 24 hour car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and on some days it's possible to visit the race track which has a museum with simulators and other activities. Around town you'll find museums and activities affiliated with the racing culture, and there's also a cathedral as well as several nice museums relating to the automotive industry among other things.

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

Toulon is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Le Mans is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Toulon. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Le Mans. It's not known for its food scene, but there is one dish in particular that you should try. The local specialty is les rillettes de porc, which is a pork paté.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and Le Mans 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 Le Mans. You'll find bars and clubs in the city center around Saint-Nicolas Quarter, rue des Ponts-neufs, Place de la Sirène and around the Republic Square.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for Beaches?

Toulon is very good for its beaches. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its historic old town. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Le Mans?

Toulon is great for shopping. However, Le Mans 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.

Le Mans is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for Families?

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

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.

Le Mans is a family-friendly port city. Make sure you visit on a day when Le Mans Karting International and the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum is open to visitors. Families can ride on high speed go-carts and train like professionals with special game simulators. This is a popular destination for adults and kids alike. The town also has indoor play areas, waterparks, and beautiful parks to explore.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for Couples?

Both Toulon and Le Mans 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.

Le Mans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's a small town, but racing enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans Museum.

Is Toulon or Le Mans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Toulon and Le Mans 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 Le Mans. While there aren't many hostels specifically designed for backpackers, it is possible to find affordable accommodation at most times.

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

Both Toulon and Le Mans 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.

Le Mans has some public transit options. There is a tram service around town that provides access to many places including the race track via the T1 line (Antarès-Stade Marie Marvingt and exit at the East Entrance).

Is Toulon or Le Mans a more walkable city?

Toulon is great for its walkability. Also, Le Mans is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Le Mans is a somewhat walkable place. Parts of the town are walkable.

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

Should I spend more time in Le Mans or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Le Mans?

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

Families should spend more time in Toulon than Le Mans. 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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 nightlife when visiting the destination of Le Mans. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Toulon or Le Mans?

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.

Le Mans 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans. 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 Le Mans?

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 nightlife and museums when visiting the small destination of Le Mans. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toulon and Le Mans, we can see that Toulon is more expensive. And not only is Le Mans much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Le Mans would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Le Mans 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 Toulon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toulon than you might in Le Mans.

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

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Le Mans?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Le Mans. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Le Mans, 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 Le Mans?

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 Le Mans in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Le Mans. 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 Le Mans this time of year.

Toulon is a little warmer than Le Mans in the summer. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Le Mans fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Le Mans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 231 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Le Mans. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Le Mans in the Autumn?

Both Le Mans 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 Le Mans for the small town atmosphere.

In the autumn, Toulon is a little warmer than Le Mans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Toulon in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Le Mans averages at about 13°C (55°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 117 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than Le Mans. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Le Mans in the Winter?

Both Le Mans 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 Le Mans in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Le Mans can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Le Mans. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 7°C (44°F), and Le Mans fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Le Mans. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Le Mans receives 54 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Le Mans. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Le Mans receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Le Mans in the Spring?

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

Toulon is a little warmer than Le Mans in the spring. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Le Mans fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Le Mans during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Le Mans receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

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

Typical Weather for Le Mans and Toulon