Tolone has almost arrived by chance on my list of destinations. I had decided to return to French Riviera with my family. However, I wanted to avoid crazy tourists and places too well known. Difficult, you will think, in one of the most famous tourist destinations in the world. So, sifting through Google Maps I checked the seaside resorts along the coast, concentrating in the stretch between Saint-Tropez and Marseille. And that’s how it appeared outside Toilet.
Of this city, exactly halfway between the two, I only knew one thing: that its port is used as a naval base of the French army in the Mediterranean. That’s all, nothing else. How many tourists can there ever be in a city of Porto military? I was wondering as I started to inform me about What to see in Tolone. It will certainly be few, I concluded by booking a nice apartment five minutes from the city beaches.
Tolone, different from everyone
And I was right. The city, the capital of Department of the VARis all that more than different can be from the rest of the French Riviera: no luxurious yatch, no VIPs, semi -desert beaches and low prices. In short, the perfect destination for a journey of relaxation and discovery.
At first glance, it is difficult to remain affected by Tolone. Among the anonymous buildings built in the 60s and 70s, the boats that come and go and some dark and silent alley is not exactly what is expected from the south of France. Still, forwarding in the historic center you come across squares with a Provencal style with picturesque coffee and outdoor tables, fountains and ancient sand -colored buildings, markets -as the Marché comingçal in Corus Lafayette and the Biltoki Les Halles from the liberty style, reopened after a long restoration about three years ago- and important monuments – which stand out the Sainte Marie de la Seds cathedral, the elegant Opéra de Toulon and the Musée des arts-Mat with works of the XV-XXI centuries.
Urbanistically speaking, Toulon with his overlap of styles is imperfect. But this is precisely this mélange of architecture that makes it original, interesting and anti-conventional. Thus, slowly, the city begins to conquer even the most reluctant visitor. Even the mild, dry and always ventilated climate (this is the land of Mistral), and the absence of mosquitoes, only add points to this unusual French destination. A tour in the so -called Petit Chicagorenamed thus after the war following the presence of the American Navy in the city, once frequented by people of the underworld and now redeveloped with boutiques of local artists, art galleries, vintage shops and street art works, and then straight to the port.
His Rada, the largest in Europe, and its naval base, the main of the French Navy, see the gigantic aircraft carriers Charles de Gaulle not rarely moor. To find out more about Tolone’s glorious maritime history, it is worth visiting the National Museum of the Navy With reproductions of ships, memorabilia, maps and military objects. Forte Saint Louis, built between 1692 and 1697, also destroyed in 1707 by the Austro-Sardinian troops and then rebuilt, and the Royal towerdefensive work of the first half of the 16th century, transformed into prison, deposit and finally occupied by the Germans during the Second World War, testify to the military importance of the city in French history.
The beaches of Tolone
After the cultural visits, it’s time to devote themselves to the sea. As for beaches, the choice is wide. In the city, the Mourillon beachesthe Marinaro district of Tolone are wide, with clear waters, suitable for those traveling with the family and do not want to get away from the center. They are about 3 km from the port, they are public, equipped with parking – free – near a large green area, where you can relax in the shade of the pines, and every comfort. From the pier of the port, on the other hand, the ferries that lead to the discovery of other beaches of the coast that composes the Metropole Toulon Provence Mediterranée, including, including Les Sablettes to Seyne Sur Mer (which can be easily reached even in about twenty minutes by car). Three kilometers of golden and soft sandy beach, rewarded with the blue flag, public, free parking, bars and fish restaurants.
Sea, history and nature in Hyères and Giens
The real surprise, however, are Hyères’ beachesa small town of the VAR 20 km from Tolone. Plage de l’Ammanarre With crystal clear waters and white sand is the ideal place for a day dedicated to relaxation. In the afternoon, when the Mistral is raised strong, the beach is reached by kitesurf enthusiasts and the blue sky is filled with colored sails. In Hyères it is also worth visiting the Archaeological site of Olbiaancient city founded in the 4th century AC by the Greeks, which stands on the sea: it is the only Greek site entirely received to us along the French coast. Further south, the Giens peninsula It is a former islet connected to the continent by a double sandy cord that contains the old saline of Hyères and the pond of the Pesquiers, wetlands of international importance and habitat of over 260 species of birds, including flamingos and herons.
In Porquerolles, the beauty of a Mediterranean island
From the Barcadero of the Fondue Tour, to Giens, in 15 minutes of crossing you reach Porquerollesthe largest of the islands of the Hyères archipelago and the second French, in size, after Corsica. It is part of the Port-Cros National Park, founded in 1963, an ecological area of safeguarding nature and pioneer of all European marine parks. A microcosm with small mountain ranges, a village, steep cliffs, Mediterranean scrub and beaches. Like those of Notre Dame, The Courtade And Plage d’Argentsemi -unknown but who have nothing to envy to the most famous shores in the Mediterranean. The ideal place to relax, detach from everything and fill your eyes of beauty.
Equerre. It is the restaurant of the Hotel L’Eactel Toulon Port, in front of the National Museum of the Navy. The menu offers local and Mediterranean dishes revisited in a contemporary key.
Le Cannier. On the beach of Les Sablettes in La Seyne Sur Mer, Le Cannier offers specialties of fish and Mediterranean cuisine including fries, garlic and parsley prawns and the Provencal Aïoli.
AOC 41. Wide choice between meat and fish dishes. The cuisine is seasonal, local and tasty. The French wines papers is varied, with interesting Provencal labels.
Grand Hôtel Dauphiné. Those who want to sleep in the historic center, note this 3 stars with rooms and suite in the city. Rooftop Bar, with beautiful view of Tolone, and swimming pool on the roof.
Grand Hôtel des Sablettes-Plage. The old mess of La Seyne Sur Mer, dating back to the end of the 19th century, was transformed into this luxury hotel with sea view, in a privileged position on the famous Des Sablettes beach.
The conciergenies de Marjory. For those who travel to the family and prefer a more intimate solution, these comfortable and spacious apartments in the city and near the Toulon beaches are furnished with style and equipped with every modern comfort.
Source: Vanity Fair
I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.
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