A second look at Toulon

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I was tired when I arrived yesterday and I could not find the shop to store my suitcase. Travel tip: do not use website Nannybag because you have to pay for the days ahead of time, and in this case in Toulon, the shop was several streets away from the train station where apparently no one knew the street or shop. There is a heat wave in France and that’s the wrong time to be searching the streets of Toulon for an obscure site. There is a sign in front of the station pointing to a tourist office, but I never found it, even today when I had more time and less stress. Yesterday I gave up and took a taxi to my destination. Travel tip: if the train station is too small to have its own ‘left luggage’ company, spend the money on a taxi and take all of your bags.

Compared with Nice, Toulon is less beautiful and not so tourist friendly. My first experience was not pleasant due to several circumstances, and it did not help to see worn out buildings and too many adults vaping or begging on the streets. But that can happen near any station in a warm climate.

When I got to the beach area of the town, all was forgiven. Unlike the beach in Nice’s downtown area, Toulon’s beaches are meant to be enjoyed by everyone from 2 to 92. In this area the neighborhood is relaxed and focused on the beach and water views…a happy place.

Today was a fresh start and it was easy getting the bus to downtown. I had time to walk along the main boulevard and have an excellent lunch. France is living up to its reputation of great food. I took some token pictures of stately buildings. The city gardens were nice. Then I took bus back and spent the rest of the day totally enjoying this place.

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Photos

A beach town
I have tried to take several photos, but I think early morning would be the best light

Best streets head to the beach
I am staying here in St Louis district, so much nicer than city centre

I swam here this afternoon
When it was less busy. Near the hotel, this is where locals go to avoid the crowds.

View from my hotel window.
Holiday time is kicking in.

Beaches
Many happy people here

Hotel courtyard
A lovely place to sit

Beaches will be busy till dark
Lots of happy children play in water, and they avoid their parents when dusk arrives and it’s time to pack up.

Beaches are highlight of Toulon
They fit in boating lanes too.

Ferry heading to Corsica
Toulon is a port city

Train Station
Seems so much nicer today when I returned from beach area

Taken from bus
Heading back to town to get train ticket to Geneva tomorrow. Stately buildings.

Main square
Fenced off so they could set up for music concert. I left just in time after lunch because they began testing the microphones (loudly)

Museum
Closed today

City gardens
So many huge bushes a colour.

Nice city gardens
They had water features and various climate zone plants. A nice place to visit.

Good luck finding the tourist office
This sign is three streets away from first one at station. They should copy Nice and put it on front steps of train station.

Amazing lunch today
A work of art, who knew vegetables could be so good