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

Should you visit Toulouse or Toulon?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Toulouse and Toulon can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Toulouse

Toulouse is a relaxed, dynamic, and historic city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Toulon

Toulon is a industrial, authentic, and off-the-beaten-path port city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife, food, and beaches.

Toulouse and Toulon: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toulouse or Toulon?

You'll generally find more things to do in Toulouse than Toulon. Toulouse is bigger than Toulon, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Toulouse is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, and big city activities, while Toulon is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Toulouse is well known for its impressive old town, many museums, and delicious local cuisine. Also, Toulouse is famous for Basilique Saint-Sernin. Toulon is well known for its old town, its coastal setting, and its popularity with local vacationers.

How is Toulouse different from Toulon?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Toulon and Toulouse. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toulouse or Toulon?

Toulouse 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 Toulouse specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There is a long running history with countless landmarks and museums. Highlights include Basilique Saint-Sernin, Place du Capitole, Muséum de Toulouse, and Fondation Bemberg.

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 Toulouse or Toulon? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. There are many unique regional recipes that make use of poultry, cold meats, and foie gras. Toulouse sausage, cassoulet, Poulet à la Toulousaine, and Foie gras d’oie are all popular local 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 Toulouse or Toulon Better for Nightlife?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse offers plenty to do in the evening. You'll find a large number of students in town so the nightlife scene is active and fun. For the most lively atmosphere head to Carmes, Saint-Cyprien, or Place Saint-Pierre.

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 Toulouse or Toulon Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Toulon is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Toulouse or Toulon Better for Beaches?

Toulon is a port city with good options for the beach. However, Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Toulon. 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.

Toulouse is not a beach destination.

Is Toulouse or Toulon Better for its Old Town?

Toulouse is a well-known place for its historic old town. However, Toulon is not a good port city for its old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Toulouse. The old town is filled with terra-cota buildings and pedestrian walkways. The area flows out around the Capitole and is crossed by the Garonne.

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 Toulouse or Toulon?

If you're looking to go shopping, Toulouse and Toulon both offer plenty of superb spots.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Toulouse. There are many great shopping districts around town including Place du Capitole, The Saint Georges district, and Rue Alsace Lorraine.

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.

Is Toulouse or Toulon Better for Families?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city's known for its space industry so the La Cite de l’Espace (Space Museum) is a favorite attraction for kids and adults alike. You can also visit Aeroscopia, the airplane museum. La Halle de la machine is a truly unique and impressive playground. The city also has many other museums and outdoor spaces to explore.

Toulon is a family-friendly 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 Toulouse or Toulon Better for Couples?

Toulouse 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.

Toulouse is a very popular place to visit for couples. There are many beautiful parks, gardens, and walking paths. Make sure you take a stroll along the Canal du Midi and visit Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis. This is also a great city for visiting a spa.

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 Toulouse or Toulon Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Toulon is a port city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Toulouse is not a good destination for backpackers.

Toulon is a good port city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Toulouse is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not a major stop off for many backpackers in Europe so you won't find as many hostels as you do in other cities.

Is Toulouse or Toulon Better for Students?

Toulouse is very good for students. However, Toulon is not popular with students.

Toulouse is a good city to visit for students. You'll find a diverse student population with many international students.

Toulon is not popular with students.

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

Toulouse and Toulon both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Toulouse offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are a large number of bus routes that travel both locally and regionally.

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

Is Toulouse or Toulon a more walkable city?

Toulouse and Toulon are superb when it comes to walkability.

Toulouse is a very walkable destination. Within the city center it is very walkable and easy to explore on foot.

Toulon is very walkable. 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 Toulouse Worth Visiting? and Is Toulon Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Toulon or Toulouse?

How long in Toulouse or Toulon?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Toulouse or Toulon to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Toulouse than Toulon because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Toulouse, and 1-2 days is enough time in Toulon.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Toulon than Toulouse 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 Toulouse or Toulon?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Toulouse. 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.

The port city of Toulon offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Toulouse or Toulon?

Toulouse is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Toulon is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this port city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Toulon, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Toulouse or Toulon?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Toulouse. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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.

Toulon is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Toulouse or Toulon?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the friendly destination of Toulouse. 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.

Toulon is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This port city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Toulouse and Toulon, we can see that Toulouse 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 Toulouse Expensive? and Is Toulon Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toulouse or Toulon?

Toulouse has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of Toulon. When comparing the sizes of Toulouse and Toulon, 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 Toulouse or Toulon?

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 Toulouse or Toulon in the Summer?

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

In the summer, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Toulon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Toulouse in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Toulon averages at about 24°C (75°F).

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

Toulouse usually gets more rain in July than Toulon. Toulouse gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Toulon in the Autumn?

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

In October, Toulouse is generally around the same temperature as Toulon. Daily temperatures in Toulouse average around 15°C (60°F), and Toulon fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Toulon this time of the year. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during autumn. Toulouse gets 161 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Toulouse usually receives less rain than Toulon. Toulouse gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Toulouse or Toulon in the Winter?

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

Toulouse is around the same temperature as Toulon in the winter. The daily temperature in Toulouse averages around 6°C (44°F) in January, and Toulon fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

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

Toulouse usually gets less rain in January than Toulon. Toulouse gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Toulouse or Toulon in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Toulouse is around the same temperature as Toulon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Toulouse in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Toulon averages at about 13°C (56°F).

It's quite sunny in Toulon. Toulouse usually receives less sunshine than Toulon during spring. Toulouse gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Toulon receives 245 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Toulouse usually receives more rain than Toulon. Toulouse gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Toulon receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Toulon and Toulouse