The call of the open sea and the intimacy of narrow streets. Military discipline and Provençal nonchalance. Small coastal footpaths and the “great bends” of Mont Faron. Toulon is certainly a place of contrast and takes pleasure in showing the visitor its talent for magic!

The town has more than one trick up its sleeve. Toulon is first of all a virtually perfect harbour and, without doubt the finest natural port on the French Mediterranean. Since Richelieu, the military have taken their quarters here, protecting part of the French navy’s strike force in its docks.

The town has an incomparable atmosphere, like a permanent invitation to travel. Toulon is also totally und utterly a part of Provence. Simply lose yourself in the tangle of narrow streets in the old town and you’ll be convinced of that! Little squares, fountains, old-fashioned shops, the Cours Lafayette market: the town exhales the spicy perfume of a rebellious, people’s Provence.

Toulon, is also a hugely varied coastline made for shared pleasures and solitary feasts. There’s a huge contrast between the Mourillon, a large, busy artificial beach to the east of the town and the Sentier des Douaniers, a magnificent, peaceful track between Cap Brun and the Méjean Cove. And then there’s the Saint-Mandrier peninsula, which you can explore undisturbed between villas and rocks, looking out to sea.

Finally, Toulon is a panorama that you remember for the rest of your life. From the 584 metres of the viewpoint on Mont Faron, behind the town, the view takes in the harbour and the town, Saint-Mandrier and Cap Sicié, Bandol and La Seyne-sur-Mer. On its own, the cable car that takes you up from the town symbolises the adjective best suited to Toulon: spectacular!