A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Lyon for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Toulon or Lyon?

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

Toulon

Toulon is a authentic, off-the-beaten-path, and real world port city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food.

Lyon

Lyon is a quaint, authentic, and historic city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon and Lyon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Lyon?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lyon than Toulon. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Lyon is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, big city activities, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere, while Toulon attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Lyon is more touristy than Toulon and is known for its world-renowned cuisine, charming old town, and vibrant new town. It is also well known for The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulon different from Lyon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Lyon is an unbeatable 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.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Lyon that are not to be missed. There are many world class museums and historic landmarks in the city including Musée des Beaux Arts, Musée de la Civilisation Gallo-Romaine, and Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

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 Lyon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lyon 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.

Lyon has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Known as "the Gastronomic Capital of the World" this city stands above the rest when it comes to Michelin star restaurants (there are 17!), fresh ingredients, and unique local flavors. Favorite local dishes include pâté en croûte, rosette de Lyon, and saucisson brioché.

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 Lyon Better for Nightlife?

Lyon is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for nightlife and partying.

Lyon offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has enough diverse neighborhoods that you'll find a scene that is great for everyone. There are dance clubs, cocktail bars, and wine bars that meet every personality and style.

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.

Is Toulon or Lyon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is a moderate port city for its diving and snorkeling. However, Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Lyon is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Lyon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a nice place to visit for the beache. However, Lyon is not a beach destination.

Toulon has a beach worth visiting. 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.

Lyon is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Lyon Better for its Old Town?

Lyon 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, Lyon offers plenty to see. This impressive old town climbs from the river into Fourvière Hill. It's a Renaissance era district with beautiful buildings and plenty of character. You can spend days wandering the quaint streets and popping in the world class restaurants.

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 Lyon?

Both Toulon and Lyon are excellent shopping destinations.

Toulon is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Lyon is well-known for its shopping. The city has many trendy markets, pedestrian shopping areas, and character-filled boutiques. From the charming shops in old town to the chic shopping streets, there are plenty of places to splurge around town.

Is Toulon or Lyon Better for Families?

Lyon 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.

Lyon is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many kid-friendly museums including Musée des Confluences and the Cinema and Miniature Museum. There are also playgrounds, patisseries, and river cruises that you can enjoy as a family. Puppet shows are also fun, but do note that they're usually in French. While the restaurants are amazing for adults, it can be tricky to find a kid-friendly option with early opening hours that are convenient for little ones.

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 Lyon Better for Couples?

Lyon is a well-known place for romance. Also, Toulon is not as famous, but is still a good port city to visit for its romantic activities.

Lyon is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can enjoy wandering the beautiful Old Town, taking a river cruise, and dining on some of the best food in France.

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 Lyon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lyon 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 Lyon. The city has several hostels and a number of activities that are fun for budget travelers and backpackers.

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 Lyon Better for Students?

Lyon is an unbeatable place for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Lyon. It is a very livable city with many fun cultural activities for students. There are many different entertainment options during the day, and during the evening there are plenty of places to hang out.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Lyon is an unbeatable 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.

Visitors in Lyon can get around quickly with the extensive public transit system. The city has a metro, trams, and buses, that make it easy to get around.

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 Lyon a more walkable city?

Toulon and Lyon both are excellent 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.

Lyon is a very walkable port city. The old town is particularly walkable, but the hills can make things a bit challenging. There are also a number of pedestrian streets around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Lyon or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Lyon?

In either Toulon or Lyon, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Lyon than Toulon because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toulon, and 2-5 days is enough time in Lyon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lyon 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 Lyon.

One day in Toulon or Lyon?

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.

Lyon is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toulon or Lyon?

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.

Lyon 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 Lyon?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the industrial 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 Lyon. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toulon or Lyon?

The off-the-beaten-path 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 shopping and museums when visiting the historic big city of Lyon. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town 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 comparing the travel costs between Toulon and Lyon, we can see that Lyon 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 Lyon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Lyon?

Lyon has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Lyon, 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 Lyon?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Toulon or Lyon in the Summer?

Both Lyon and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Lyon for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

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

It's quite sunny in Lyon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toulon. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during summer. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Toulon usually receives less rain than Lyon. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Toulon or Lyon in the Autumn?

Both Lyon and Toulon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Toulon for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Lyon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

It's quite sunny in Toulon. In the autumn, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 127 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in October than Lyon. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Lyon in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Lyon. Many visitors come to Toulon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Lyon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

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

Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Lyon during winter. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Lyon receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Toulon usually receives more rain than Lyon. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Toulon or Lyon in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Lyon. Most visitors come to Toulon for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Lyon because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the spring, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Lyon. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lyon receives 174 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in April than Lyon. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lyon receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Lyon and Toulon