Located on the French Riviera and nestled between Marseille and Nice, the naval port city of Toulon may not come to mind when we think of must-visit destinations.
It’s seemingly overlooked in favour of the glamourous yacht-filled Cannes or Saint-Tropez, or side-lined for a weekend in Monaco buying chips at the Monte Carlo casino or spectating at the Formula 1.
But Toulon, which has earned the title of ‘Little Chicago’ for its old town ‘real city grit’ and bustling bars according to tourists, as well as ‘Ville de la Marine’ (City of the Navy) for being Europe’s leading defence port and home to the Charles-de-Gaulle aircraft carrier, has so much more to offer.
Getting to this French southern city just got easier, too, with British Airways’ regional subsidiary BA Cityflyer launching direct twice-weekly flights to Toulon from the UK for the first time in 22 years.
The flights will go from London City Airport to Toulon–Hyères Airport starting May 23, every Tuesday and Saturday until September 1. The last time British Airways operated flights to this airport was back in 2004 from Gatwick.
Prices start at £127 each way, and not only can you easily reach the city of Toulon in less than 30 minutes, but it’s also the closest airport to Saint-Tropez, just 30 miles from the hotspot.
What to do in Toulon
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Brimming with culture and history, the capital of Var has so much more to offer than bikini-clad beaches.
Wander in Les Halles of Toulon, a 1929 art-deco building home to a gourmet food market, which is a great respite from the heat during the summer.
From cheesemongers to wine tastings, truffle bars to sushi counters and Mediterranean cuisine, you’ll be spoilt for choice. If you look hard enough upon arrival you’ll spot the plaque with heroine of the French Resistance, Esther Poiggio’s name engraved.
The Rue des Arts, otherwise known as the Rue Pierre Sémard, should be your next stop in the heart of the city. Since 2017, this spot in the old town has been dedicated to culture and art, including galleries, coffee shops, small restaurants, and craftspeople’s workshops.
There are plenty of boutique stores to buy from here, and once you’ve shopped, head to the Place de l’Équerre to enjoy its lively bars often featuring concerts or DJ sets.
Of course, it would be rude not to soak up the history of this place. It originated from a small fishing village called Telo, before what we know as Toulon was built around it. Visit the Musee National De La Marine to educate yourself on the city’s naval roots.
For a birds-eye view, take the Faron cable car up Mount Faron to overlook the harbour (£7.78 per adult for a roundtrip). While not the highest point on the mountain, it remains the most famous, and allows you to see all nine forts which were used as lookouts.
The Beaumont Tower is a must-see while you’re up there, built in 1845 to defend and monitor the harbour. It now houses the Memorial Museum of the Allied landings in Provence in August 1944.
If you’re the outdoorsy type, after taking the cable car, you can set off alpine hiking, with plenty of long-distance walking routes, mountain biking on two loops, and even climbing for all levels.
Where to eat in Toulon
Le Lido is a great spot for a bite to eat, located on Le Mourillon beach. With a view of the bay, one visitor recommended the freshly caught John Dory or the lobster linguine.
For something a little more refined, one food blogger Paris Eater suggests Beam! Kitchen which offers a three-course lunch for £30, and in the evening, five courses for £42. Talk about an absolute steal (and they offer a gluten free menu, too).
Racines is a little French bistro right next to the Toulon Opera house in the centre of the city, too.
But if you’re someone who likes to cook for yourself, head down to the Cours Lafayette market, which takes place all week apart from Mondays.
You’ll find fruit and vegetables, olives, cheeses and charcuterie, fresh fish and spices, and you should make sure to try cade, a chickpea flour cake cooked over a fire – Toulon’s specialty.
When should I go and what’s the weather like in Toulon?
When flights start up in May, you’ll be able to expect highs of around 22°C, but even just a month later in June, you’ll get highs of 27°C, while July and August see highs of 29°C.
While direct flights with BA won’t operate outside of these months, if you’re looking to go in the winter, you will see highs of 13°C and lows of just 6°C.
In the summer months, there are hotels available for as little as £44 per night, although more spacious accommodation seems to go for closer to the £100 per night mark.
So, what are you waiting for? Book this incredible summer getaway before we do.
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