A Travel Price Comparison for France Toulon vs. Saint-Etienne for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Toulon or Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne 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 beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a park-filled, industrial, and undiscovered city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums.

Toulon and Saint-Etienne: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulon or Saint-Etienne?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Toulon than Saint-Etienne. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Toulon is very popular for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Saint-Etienne attracts visitors for its hiking. Toulon is famous for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers. It is also well known for The Old Town. Saint-Etienne is famous for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Toulon different from Saint-Etienne?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Both Toulon and Saint-Etienne have nice 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.

Saint-Etienne offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.

Is the Food Better in Toulon or Saint-Etienne? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulon is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Nightlife?

Both Toulon and Saint-Etienne are nice 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 Saint-Etienne. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for its diving and snorkeling. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a good destination for the beache. However, Saint-Etienne 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.

Saint-Etienne is not a beach destination.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for its Old Town?

Toulon is adequate for its old town. However, Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old 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.

Saint-Etienne does not have a historic old town.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne is very good for the nearby hiking options. However, Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Saint-Etienne. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Toulon is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Toulon or Saint-Etienne?

Toulon is great for its shopping opportunities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its shopping areas.

Toulon is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Saint-Etienne has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Toulon or Saint-Etienne.

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.

Saint-Etienne is a family-friendly port city. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Couples?

Toulon is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toulon is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Both Toulon and Saint-Etienne offer nice 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.

Saint-Etienne has some public transit options. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Is Toulon or Saint-Etienne a more walkable city?

Toulon is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

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

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable port city. There are several walkable areas in the city.

For even more information, also check out Is Toulon Worth Visiting? and Is Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint-Etienne or Toulon?

How long in Toulon or Saint-Etienne?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulon or Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Toulon than Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the industrial destination of Toulon. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Saint-Etienne. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Toulon or Saint-Etienne?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulon. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the authentic destination of Toulon. This port city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne?

You'll find food and shopping around the port city of Toulon. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and museums when visiting the authentic destination of Saint-Etienne. 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 Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulon or Saint-Etienne?

Toulon has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Saint-Etienne. When comparing the sizes of Toulon and Saint-Etienne, 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 Saint-Etienne?

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 Saint-Etienne in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Toulon as well as Saint-Etienne. Many visitors come to Toulon in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. In the summer, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Toulon gets 366 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 285 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets less rain in July than Saint-Etienne. Toulon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Saint-Etienne in the Autumn?

Both Saint-Etienne and Toulon are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. 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 Saint-Etienne because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Toulon is generally a little warmer than Saint-Etienne. Daily temperatures in Toulon average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint-Etienne 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 Saint-Etienne during autumn. Toulon gets 205 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulon usually receives more rain than Saint-Etienne. Toulon gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulon or Saint-Etienne in the Winter?

Both Saint-Etienne and Toulon during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Toulon because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saint-Etienne in the winter. Toulon is much warmer than Saint-Etienne in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulon averages around 7°C (44°F) in January, and Saint-Etienne fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Toulon often gets more sunshine than Saint-Etienne. Toulon gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint-Etienne receives 62 hours of full sun.

Toulon usually gets more rain in January than Saint-Etienne. Toulon gets 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulon or Saint-Etienne in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Toulon and Saint-Etienne. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Toulon this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty.

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

In Toulon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Toulon usually receives more sunshine than Saint-Etienne during spring. Toulon gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Saint-Etienne receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulon usually receives less rain than Saint-Etienne. Toulon gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint-Etienne receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint-Etienne and Toulon