Toulon is the largest french naval base and an absolute treat for naval affectionados and sea lovers. Traversing the Rade de Toulon on a public ferry (which you can ride all day on a 4€ public transport day pass), you can enjoy the sight of destroyers and mistral class amphibious helicopter carriers moored across the port, and even the CDG nuclear aircraft carrier on a good day. The nuclear subs of course are kept discrete, well hidden from public view. Nearby sandy beaches of Mourillon are small but exquisite. Waters are crystal clear, the seagulls quite friendly and the restaurants on the beach are great. Restaurants are also great and numerous on the large marina port walkway, from where you can enjoy the sight of corsica-sardinia cruise ships entering and leaving the port. Costa magica cruises are also visible from the nearby La Seyne port. In the center of this promenade, proudly stands the statue of "the genius sailor", pointing landlubbers towards the majesty of the oceans and mooning the terra firma. Mount Faron is another place to visit, which we couldn't as it was too windy for the cable car to be running. Toulon is the recipient of the famous north Mistral which blows through most of spring and autumn. Other than the port and the sea however, Toulon does not have much of touristic value to offer. The old city is small and it is hard to figure out when exactly the shops open. Some monuments and statues are scattered here and there, fountains on the other hand are numerous though not all with flowing potable water. All in all, great place for sea lovers, not so much for others.

I love this city,it's so old and full of personality.its very southern France,bordering on an Italian look,old buildings,winding streets,shutters,and a beautiful harbor,with several bistros and restaurants.you can sit and enjoy the view.except,why do the French allow smoking in the outdoors of cafes?This I didn't like.Our dollar is getting a bad exchange.no matter,inToulon,you can eat for any price,depends where you choose.it is easy to get around by foot,and buses are readily available.I enjoyed the ferry at the harbour taking me to a beautiful beach town,only twenty minutes away.I mostly loved walking in the older part of town.There are lots of stores for shopping.Toulon is a Maritimes area,lots of seafaring things to see.I ate mostly at the harbour.it is so nice as you get both mountains and sea.Easily accessible by train from Paris.

The National Marine Museum of Toulon had excellent displays about the city's long naval history. Try the boat bus -- part of the city's transit system. There is no commentary, but the people ferry will give you an hour-long tour of the beautiful outer harbour as it makes two stops before coming back to downtown Toulon. It's a great bargain for just two euros.

Perfect quite beaches amazing restaurant by the dock 'the turtle' in French. amazing restaurant salads are their specialty. The town it self is expensive but it was worth it. In the tourism office you can buy tickets for the whole day which include the 3 boat rides to the spray bus journeys plus cable cart at the top of the mountain which are a MUST!!! Amazing vue! All for €7.50!

Toulon is not a bad destination. I was there to visit family. From a tourist perspective don't think there is really much. Seemed to be lots of buses for transport, great beach area on the small island accessible via a short ferry trip ride from the harbour. Restaurants are not to bad....visiting the early morning food market and wandering the streets of the old city was enjoyable. I would visit Cannes and Nice before spending an extended time in Toulon again. St Tropez, Nice, Cannes is within easy access via trains from Toulon so thats nice for a day trip.

As a major naval port, it is asking a lot for Toulon to be a particularly attractive town, and it isn't. Not in the same class as many other coastal towns in the vicinity. Good restaurants on the otherwise rather boring waterfront. Great views from the mountain to the north of town, but the cable-car to the summit is not easy to find or access.