What to do in Toulon France?????

[cruise kitty]

Just wanted to say thank you, for this very helpful thread, looks like I have some choices to make! We will be there on a Tuesday, sounds like most things will be open.

[AngloinProvence]

I much enjoyed the Maritime Museum (Musee de la Marine), against my expectations! Also recommend the cable car ride. A number of attractions close in winter, eg the cable car, the little train tours of the naval base and (in January) the Maritime Museum. There's more information about what to do in Toulon here: http://www.marvellous-provence.com/toulon

 

Some people seemed confused about where the ships dock -- there are two cruise terminals, one right in the heart of Toulon and one across the bay in La Seyne sur Mer. The larger ships tend to go to La Seyne, but it's not always entirely consistent: some cruises go to Toulon on certain dates and La Seyne on others! So always best to check with the cruise operator.

 

Even if you end up in La Seyne, there's a real effort to offer good transport connections. More information about the two cruise ports here: http://www.marvellous-provence.com/toulon/practical-information/cruise-ship-ports

[KW_Cruisers]

Thanks for the info.

 

We'll be touring Toulon on Wed, May 20th 2015 - As mentioned, the previous day in Barcelona, then the following days on major Italian tours make this an ideal place to take it easy for 4 or 5 hours to see a small French city and wander back to the ship early to be ready for the next 3 days in Livorno (Pisa & Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome) & Naples (Positano, Sorrento & Pompeii).

 

Guess we better pack our vitamins :cool:

 

Happy New Year,

John & The World Travel Group

[vickie_bernie]

Can anyone comment on going to Monaco for the day? The ship is charging $175 just for transport and only two hours in Monaco.

[marazul]

Can anyone comment on going to Monaco for the day? The ship is charging $175 just for transport and only two hours in Monaco.

 

It's a two-hour drive from Toulon to Monaco. Two and a half hours by train with a transfer in Nice. Regardless of the price, it would not be the best use of your time. Aix is only one hour away. Bandol and Cassis, are much closer and very enjoyable.

[vickie_bernie]

It's a two-hour drive from Toulon to Monaco. Two and a half hours by train with a transfer in Nice. Regardless of the price, it would not be the best use of your time. Aix is only one hour away. Bandol and Cassis, are much closer and very enjoyable.

 

thank you for your insight, we are in Toulon twice and will now focus on doing a wine tour one time and head to Marseille the next time. Thanks again

[AngloinProvence]

There are two cruise terminals in Toulon. One is in the centre of town while the other is across the bay in La Seyne sur Mer (although it seems often to be flagged as Toulon in the cruise holiday brochures).

 

To make things even more confusing, some cruise routes stop in Toulon on certain dates and in La Seyne on others! But if you arrive in La Seyne there are plenty of transport options to get to Toulon and beyond.

 

More about the two cruise ship ports which I visited in October. http://www.marvellous-provence.com/travel/water/toulon-cruise-ship-ports

[Turtles06]

There are two cruise terminals in Toulon. One is in the centre of town while the other is across the bay in La Seyne sur Mer (although it seems often to be flagged as Toulon in the cruise holiday brochures).

 

To make things even more confusing, some cruise routes stop in Toulon on certain dates and in La Seyne on others! But if you arrive in La Seyne there are plenty of transport options to get to Toulon and beyond.

 

 

This is a good warning for people. Our TA on the Celebrity Silhouette this past fall showed "Toulon" on the itinerary, but we actually docked in La Seyne sur Mer. The only way I even knew in advance where we'd actually be docking was from folks on our Roll Call.

 

We took an excursion that morning to Aix (the traffic was horrendous, it took two hours to get there). In the afternoon, after returning to the ship, we took the ferry across the harbor to Toulon to walk around a little.

[sailaway5]

Another thumbs up for Provence Wine Tours.

 

Just returned from a 12 nighter and our tour with them was definitely one of the highlights. Great service, knowledgeable and friendly.

We did the Bandol/Cassis tour.

 

Thank you titangas & ProjectJack. This will be our first time to this region. How far away is the winery from the ship port? Were you gone most of the day?

 

Thanks again,

Carol

Edited January 28, 2015 by sailaway5

[ProjectJack]

Thank you titangas & ProjectJack. This will be our first time to this region. How far away is the winery from the ship port? Were you gone most of the day?

 

Thanks again,

Carol

Hi Carol,

 

Yes we were gone most of the day. The wineries are perhaps 20-40 minutes away from the port. The tour we chose also stopped in Cassis for lunch/time on our own, which is about 45 minutes from the port.

 

As others have noted, you're not missing much if you leave Toulon for the day. Cassis is a beautiful resort town and a much better place to spend your time in port (IMHO).

[sailaway5]

Hi Carol,

 

Yes we were gone most of the day. The wineries are perhaps 20-40 minutes away from the port. The tour we chose also stopped in Cassis for lunch/time on our own, which is about 45 minutes from the port.

 

As others have noted, you're not missing much if you leave Toulon for the day. Cassis is a beautiful resort town and a much better place to spend your time in port (IMHO).

 

Thank you again for this information. Any hints are welcome!!!

Cheers,

Carol

[SpokaneDan]

Want to revive this excellent thread. Will be in Toulon on an Aug. Wed., debating to stay in Toulon with above-mentioned activities or go to Cassis? I've read Rick Steve's book and has an understanding about going to Cassis via train, and wonder anyone can share their first hand experience using public transportation (or another alternative) to Cassis? Thanks

[Pushka]

On our roll call we have group going to Aix and a visit to the Calanques.

[Honeybearhollow]

On our 2014 Oct TA on Silhouette we took a roll call tour to one of the market towns and then on to Aix. We were assured by our tour guide that we could leave Aix at 5pm and make it back to the ship by our 5:45 sailing. There was a traffic jam and we almost missed our sailing. Just a word of warning. Allow plenty of time to get back to the ship. I don't want to ever come that close again.

[Turtles06]

On our 2014 Oct TA on Silhouette we took a roll call tour to one of the market towns and then on to Aix. We were assured by our tour guide that we could leave Aix at 5pm and make it back to the ship by our 5:45 sailing. There was a traffic jam and we almost missed our sailing. Just a word of warning. Allow plenty of time to get back to the ship. I don't want to ever come that close again.

 

I was on my balcony watching that bus pull up and thinking how late it was, and of course glad you all made it back.

 

The traffic getting out of La Seyne sur Mer was horrible that morning as well. From what I'd read before the TA, the traffic can be pretty bad in that area, as the experience that day showed.

[pamssanity]

We did a tour to Aix-en-Provence. Lovely 1/2 day tour. The old town area is all walkable and lots to see. Stopped for some French crepes and coffee too. Provence is beautiful.

 

did you take the tour on your own? Through the ship? Or a private tour company. Trying to plan our Oct trip. Thanks.

[mskaufman]

did you take the tour on your own? Through the ship? Or a private tour company. Trying to plan our Oct trip. Thanks.

 

We did a half day tour to Aix through the ship. We were there on a Sunday so public transportation options were fewer. It was not overly expensive and being a Sunday morning the streets were not crowded.

[Turtles06]

did you take the tour on your own? Through the ship? Or a private tour company. Trying to plan our Oct trip. Thanks.

 

We took a half-day tour to Aix through the ship. I'd read about the horrible traffic in that area and decided we'd feel more comfortable on a ship's excursion. And indeed the traffic was awful, resulting in a longer drive to Aix than usual and a pretty rushed walk through the town, with virtually no time on our own. (Re traffic: also see the post above by Honeybearhollow, who was on the same sailing.) We were there on a Monday, which our guide said is the worst day for traffic.

[SimplyCool]

We took a half-day tour to Aix through the ship. I'd read about the horrible traffic in that area and decided we'd feel more comfortable on a ship's excursion. And indeed the traffic was awful, resulting in a longer drive to Aix than usual and a pretty rushed walk through the town, with virtually no time on our own. (Re traffic: also see the post above by Honeybearhollow, who was on the same sailing.) We were there on a Monday, which our guide said is the worst day for traffic.

 

We will be there on a Monday in August - so is wondering why "it is the worst day for traffic"?

 

Any ideas?

[Turtles06]

We will be there on a Monday in August - so is wondering why "it is the worst day for traffic"?

 

Any ideas?

 

IIRC, our guide suggested it was the back to work traffic, plus, the day we happened to be there, students were returning to school from a break. This was early November, it may be very different in August, when so much of Europe is on vacation.

 

Have a great trip!

[SimplyCool]

Thank you!!

[nerds2go]

I was wondering if anyone had visited the towns of Le Castellet and La Cadiere d'Azur? We are planning a private tour, and there are 2 different options.

1) Sanary, Cassis, La Cadiere d'Azur

2) Sanary, Casis, Castellet

 

I'm trying to decide between the 2. FYI We want to see smaller, picturesque towns in Provence.

[SLmom]

We were on the Island Princess, August 25, 2015, Grand Mediterranean Tour. After 3 very busy port days in Italy, we really enjoyed a relaxing day in Toulon. We docked across the bay from Toulon. Princess offered a boat ferry for $20 RT but we opted to walk into town (about 20 minutes) and take the public ferry across the bay. It was 2 Euros each way. Before you get to the ferry along the water is an old draw bridge that is up with an free elevator to the top (walk down) for a great view of the area. In Toulon, we picked up a map of the walking tour at the Tourist Office on the square, one block off the water and a little to the right as you exit the ferry. It is really a pretty little town. The walk took about an hour. Then there are several places to have a meal or drink along the water.

[ROCruiser]

We docked across from Toulon in February. It's the best port to shop. Our day in Toulon here.