Looking for activities to discover Toulon during a weekend? Here are five ideas for monuments and leisure activities to explore to get to know the Var capital better.
Between the Bouches-du Rhône and the Alpes-Maritimes, Toulon stands proudly on the Mediterranean coast. This port city in the Var has many treasures to discover. In addition to its harbor and its famous port, here are five places not to be missed during your visit to the city.
Breathtaking view from the cable car
Let’s get some height first. How better to appreciate the municipality of Toulouse than by climbing aboard the Mont Faron cable car. Throughout the day, take this unique means of transportation that will take you from the sea to the mountains, and vice versa. In just six minutes, it climbs 584 meters above sea level to offer you a unique view of the entire coast.
Boarding takes place from rue Perrichi, where a pretty red cabin awaits you. They were completely modernized in 2017. Their large bay windows and the transparent floor offer a breathtaking spectacle, provided you don’t suffer too much from vertigo.
Once at the summit, follow the numerous hiking trails and enjoy a sublime panorama. Let’s not forget the zoo and the D-Day memorial which are well worth the detour.
The military remains of Toulon
Other unmissable areas include Fort Saint-Louis and the Royal Tower, two symbols of the town’s military past. The oldest vestiges of the locality, they date back to 1696 and 1524 respectively. The first work came from the mind of Vauban, but a siege destroyed it in 1707. Today, you can admire its identical reconstruction .
The second monument is none other than the first religious building in Toulon. Steeped in history, it was notably occupied by the Germans in 1942. It even narrowly missed disappearing following American bombings. The Tower can be visited in summer and gives access to beautiful landscapes from the Pointe de Pipady.
Among the remains of the city’s historical heritage, how can we not mention the monumental doors found almost everywhere. That of the Arsenal is the perfect example. Imposing and majestic, it dates from the 18th century. You will notice the four Greek columns responsible for supporting the front. On the right, we can see Minerva, goddess of intelligence and strategy, while on the left, Mars, god of war, has been recreated.
The history of the Navy in its museum
Classified as a Historic Monument, this building currently houses the National Maritime Museum. A highly recommended place, since it contains the naval memory of the city. There you can see a sumptuous collection of boats, mainly ships and galleys. Thanks to paintings, sculptures and other art or decorative objects, you will travel through the ages to understand the evolution of this port and marine life.
On the same Monsenergue Square, on the Norfolk Quay, walk a few meters to get to the Clock Tower or Square Tower. Visible from the main entrance, it was designed on stilts from 1772 to 1775 and served as a lookout. At its peak, it announced the start and end times of work, ringing its bell nestled in its campanile.
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