Toulon On a Budget
Toulon, France
It's a wonderful year around destination and has a climate similar to that found elsewhere in the south of France. The summers can be quite hot and there are infrequent but sudden thunderstorms. The rainiest season is likely to be fall, when storms are more frequent. Winters are drier and cool, but rarely below freezing.
Sights
The city's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. There are many small streets that are fun to wander through. Interesting wider streets include Algiers and Lafayette Streets where you'll find many shops. They do get crowded on Saturdays. Important sights in the old town area include the monumental clock, Tour de l'horloge, Saint Francois de Paule church, Saint Marie de la Seds Cathedral, the traditional markets along Cours Lafayette, and Place Puget.The new town is where you'll find most of the city's museums. Some sights in the New Town area worth visiting are the Navy Museum, the Museum of Tour Royale, the Boat-Museum, and the municipal library. South of the Mourillon quarter you'll find a few decent beaches but do expect them to be crowded, particularly during the summer months. Also take a ride on the cable car which runs to the Mont-Faron Hill.
Popular parks in the city are the Frederic Mistral Garden where you'll likely see young couples having their wedding photos made and Alexandre the 1st Garden where there are frequent concerts on Sundays, particularly during the summer months.
Neighborhoods
The city is split into a historic old town and a new town. The old town area has many of the historic buildings, impressive architecture, and narrow, wandering streets. It is north of the harbor and is pleasant to walk around. The harbor area also features a promenade that is lined with souvenir shops, bars, and restaurants specializing in fresh seafood. The new town is north of the old town and has many of the city's museums.Other neighborhoods include Le Mourillon which is a small seaside area to the east of Toulon near the harbour. Mount Faron climbs 584 meters and can be reached by cable car or a road that ascends from the west side and descends on the east. At the top there is a memorial that is dedicated to the 1944 Allied landing in Provence and the liberation of Toulon.
Activities
Many people enjoy going to the beach in Toulon, so they can get crowded when the weather is nice. Several of the nearby small towns have nice beaches. Examples include Les Sablettes in La Seyne sur Mer, L'Argeniere in the town of La Londe-les-Maures, and La Capte near Hyeres.There are several popular events held annually in Toulon. Jazz in Toulon is an annual music festival that attracts a crowd. Bastille Day is on July the 14th and a military march goes through the main boulevards. There is also an aircraft show in the afternoon and fireworks are shot off at midnight.
Food and Dining
Food is availabe for a range of budgets in Toulon. There are many local and regional specialties that are worth trying. The cuisine combines the influences of the Mediterranean and the city's location within Provence. Popular local specialties include Cade Toulonnaise, which is made with chickpea flour. It is a thin, unleavened pancake that is very similar to the Socca that is found in Nice. Chichi Fregi is also a delicious option. It's a type of donut that is found throughout Provence. If you're on a tight budget there are street vendors throughout the city. They often sell smash sandwiches, which come in a variety of versions and styles. The general idea is that it is a sandwich that is grilled in a panini press.Transportation
Toulon is easily accessible by nearby towns. Marseille is a 45 minute train ride and there are frequent connections with Nice as well. The city has a regional airport, Toulon-Hyeres Regional Airport, that is 18 kilometers to the east of town. It has flights that connect with many other French airports. There's a bus that connects the train station with the airport four times a day. The last bus can be caught at the airport at 7:30 pm. If you arrive in town later than that, then your only option is to take a taxi into town.Train and Bus Prices
The best prices for buses and trains in France can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout the region.
