FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Toulon/Hyères
There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Toulon each year.
The main ones are listed below.
On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!
July 14: Bastille Day (national holiday)This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Toulon, celebrations include a military parade down the Boulevard de Strasbourg, followed by a fireworks display set off from the bay and a huge dance party on the Place de la Liberté.
August 15: Assumption Day (national holiday)This celebration, still very popular in Toulon, is marked by religious ceremonies. Also on this day every year, the second major fireworks display of the summer is set off from Le Mourillon's beaches.
August 28: Liberation Day (local event)Commemorating the liberation of Toulon on this day in 1944, a procession makes its way through the city streets to the monument to war dead, where a wreath is laid in memory of Jean Moulin and Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny and the mayor delivers a speech.
Third weekend in September: European Heritage Days (celebrated nationwide)The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!
November 22–December 31: Christmas Market (local event)During the holiday season, the Place de la Liberté is transformed into a wonderland of wooden stalls, pine trees and Christmas decorations. A delight for visitors of all ages!
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Toulon/Hyères
Toulon enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Summers (June to September) are hot and winters (from December to March) are mild and dry. In fact, Toulon lays claim to being the sunniest and hottest city in metropolitan France, with an average annual temperature of 16.5°C (62°F)! It is also a city visited by Provence's notorious mistral, the violent and cold north-west wind, more than 100 days each year. But freezing temperatures are exceedingly rare.| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6/43 | 13/55 | 83/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| February | 6/43 | 13/55 | 70/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
| March | 8/46 | 16/61 | 49/1.9 | Not the best period to go |
| April | 10/50 | 18/64 | 66/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
| May | 14/57 | 22/72 | 43/1.7 | Not the best period to go |
| June | 17/63 | 26/79 | 29/1.1 | Good period to go
|
| July | 20/68 | 30/86 | 7/0.3 | Good period to go
|
| August | 20/68 | 30/86 | 30/1.2 | Good period to go
|
| September | 17/63 | 26/79 | 56/2.2 | Good period to go
|
| October | 14/57 | 21/70 | 108/4.3 | Not the best period to go |
| November | 10/50 | 16/61 | 73/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
| December | 7/45 | 13/55 | 71/2.8 | Not the best period to go |
Toulon-Hyères Airport
Toulon-Hyères Airport is located about 19 kilometres (12 miles) east of Toulon and 3 kilometres (2 miles) south-east of Hyères.
- One terminal for both international and domestic flights
Getting from the airport to Toulon and back:
- By car
- Accessible via the A570 motorway, about 30 minutes to the city centre.
- There are several short- and long-term parking facilities available (EUR 3 for 1 hour, EUR 10 for 24 hours).
- Several car rental companies have counters at the airport.
- By bus
- Taxis are available at the ranks just outside the arrivals hall. The fare to central Hyères is about EUR 20 and EUR 50 to Central Toulon (daylight hours).
- Varlib operates buses connecting the airport with Saint-Tropez via La Londe, Bormes, La Mole and Cogolin. Tickets cost EUR 3 each way.
- By taxi
- Taxis are available at the ranks just outside the arrivals hall.
- Services: shops, bars and restaurants and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
- Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 00 83 83
- Website: http://www.toulon-hyeres.aeroport.fr
GETTING AROUND Toulon/Hyères
The best options for getting around Toulon are public transport and rental cars.
By car
Cars are a convenient way to get around Toulon. The city offers nearly 2,300 free parking spaces near the centre, plus a dozen enclosed commercial parking garages.
By bus and boat
Réseau Mistral is the largest bus/boat public transport network in France. With 61 bus lines and 10 maritime lines, it serves 12 municipalities within the Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée metropolitan area. Each year, the system is used by nearly 29 million passengers.
Fares:
- EUR 1.40 for a single ticket
- EUR 10.00 for a magnetic card loaded with 10 tickets, each valid for a single ride on a bus or boat
- EUR 3.90 for a 1-day pass offering unlimited rides on buses or boats
- EUR 9.90 for a 7-day pass offering unlimited rides on buses or boats
Visitor information
Upon your arrival in Toulon, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.
Toulon Tourist OfficeOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
- Address: 12 place Louis Blanc, 83000 Toulon
- Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 18 53 00
- Website: http://toulontourisme.com
Medical information
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination
- Address: 38 Quai de Jemmapes 75010 Paris
- Website: http://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr
- Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
- To make a vaccination appointment:
- online (click here)
- call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Toulon.
Administrative formalities
As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:
- Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
- Nationals of certain foreign countries.
For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.
Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure.
For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/
Useful addresses
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Toulon, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Essential phrases
Here are a few basic French phrases that will make your stay in Toulon a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Bonjour
Good evening: Bonsoir
Good-bye: Au revoir
Yes: Oui
No: Non
No, thank you: Non, merci
Thank you very much: Merci beaucoup
I don't understand: Je ne comprends pas.
Could you repeat that?: Pouvez-vous répéter ?
Please: S'il vous plaît.
What time is it?: Quelle heure est-il ?
Excuse me: Excusez-moi.
Airport: Aéroport
Train station: Gare
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Hôtel
Hospital: Hôpital
Bank: Banque
Telephone: Téléphone
I'm (…): Je suis (…).
I'm looking for (…): Je recherche (…).
How much is (…)?: Quel est le prix de (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Avez-vous (…) ?
Where can I find (…)?: Où puis-je trouver (…) ?
Where can I buy (…)?: Où puis-je acheter (…) ?
I'd like (…): Je voudrais (…).
Good to know
of time difference with
Madrid
End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tipping
In Toulon like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.