Not sure what to do in Toulon

[campolady]

We have docked in Toulon 3 times on cruises in the last 3 years and it has fast become one of our favourite ports.

 

The first time we did a trip to lovely Cassis but for the last 2 visits we have stayed in Toulon to explore the town.

 

You can take the 'Petit Train' right from the cruise terminal to get your bearings and learn some of the towns - mainly Naval - history. For beach lovers you can get off/on the train at the attractive Lido.

 

A visit to the Naval Museum just along the sea front is a 'must see' - show your cruise ship boarding card to get a good discount on the entrance fee.

 

Wander the back streets - can be a bit scruffy but very atmospheric - calling in various bars to sample the delicious/very light local Rose wine (€2 a glass in the back streets compared with €6 on the harbour front!).

 

Finally a visit to the street market is a great way to experience true Provence - this is on most days including Sundays.

 

It is a great shame that so many people use Toulon just as a stopping off place for visiting other towns - it has so much to offer.

Edited November 20, 2015 by campolady

[b_cruise]

We got a taxi round trip to cassis. It was really nice. I can't remember the total cost but the taxi wasn't cheap. Ther is a little both in the port you go to and they call u a cab.

[AngloinProvence]

I like Toulon a lot. It's a big naval city, vibrant and very much rough and ready - not one of those picture-postcard Provence destinations. But it still has quite a lot to offer.

 

The beaches are exceptional and there's a very big street market. The Old Town is scruffy but is currently getting a massive facelift. The naval museum and base, as noted by others, are fascinating (I found them much more so than I'd expected, to be honest!)

 

The cable car up to Mont Faron is a stunning ride (in summer: it doesn't run in mid-winter or on windy days). There are no real attractions at the top: the zoo is awful and the museum dedicated to the Allied landings in Provence is now closed for big renovations (it should be brilliant when finished - on a par with all the memorials to the Allied landings in Normandy). But nice for a picnic or short hike. More about what to see in Toulon: http://www.marvellous-provence.com/toulon