Attractions and Wild Beaches. Trip to the city of Toulon. Attractions and Wild Beaches Safety. What to watch out for

France: Toulon – attractions, where to stay

Sights of Toulon

Historical center of Toulon

This part of the city was built in the Middle Ages. It is also called vieille ville ("old town") or basse ville ("low town"), perhaps because of its age, and perhaps because the center is the lowest part of the city above sea level. It is located north of the harbor. Here you can walk both through the small intricate streets and the wide avenues of Rue d’Alger, Cours Lafayette.

Take a stroll around the harbour. Here you will hear the local accent and see wooden boats on the steel surface of the sea. In the square there is a statue of the Spirit of Navigation pointing towards the sea. Local residents, however, call it more prosaically: “cul vers ville” (“back to the city”). There is an interesting story connected with this statue: it was considered missing after the Second World War until it was discovered in the shop of a local carpenter, who was then quick to return it to its illegal place.

It is worth paying attention to the Tour de l’horloge chimes, a monumental clock located at the entrance to the port. Previously, they struck in the morning and evening, indicating the beginning and end of the working day.

Just between the harbor and the rue Cours Laféyette you will find the former residence of Louis Blanc and the Church of Saint François de Paule. The church was built in Baroque style in the 17th century.

You should visit the traditional markets of Provence. Every morning except Monday there is a market on Cours Lafeyette. Here you will probably find almost all products from local producers on sale.

Place Puget has been the center of the city since ancient times. Here you will find a fountain built in 1780. Its sculptural composition consists of 3 dolphins, which today are almost completely hidden under ivy.

The Cathedral of Saint Marie de la Seds is located near Place Puget. This is a 10th century building that was never completed. However, this did not prevent the cathedral from being expanded in 1738. Inside the cathedral you can admire paintings from the 17th century.

New City of Toulon

From ville (Haute ville) means "High City". It is called so because it is built in an elevated part of the city. The construction was led by Baron Hoffman (he was later called to build Paris). Here you can see many buildings in the style of the 19th century.

Place de la Liberté, or Freedom Square, is one of the main squares in the city. There is a fountain with statues, which in winter is turned into a skating rink. There is a Christmas market on this square throughout December. It is quite noisy here, since the main city road passes through the square.

The Opera House on Place Victor Hugo is 100 meters from Place de la Liberté (Freedom Square).

Museums and other interesting places in Toulon

There are several beaches in the city. They were built in the 50s of the 20th century specifically for the development of tourism. The beaches are very beautiful, but, unfortunately, crowded. Beaches like Cap Brun and Anse Magaud are more deserted, but harder to get to.

You might be interested in taking a cable car ride and visiting Mount Faron (which houses a museum dedicated to the landing of the Allied forces).
You can also visit the zoo, the municipal library (Bibliothèque municipale), the historical museum (Museum d’histoire naturelle), the naval army museum (Musée de la Marine), and the ship museum - La Dives.

Interesting excursions are held at the fortress-museum The Museum of Tour Royale. This fortress, built in 1514, is one of many that defended the city. It was built by King Louis 12. In the past it was used as a prison.

Cultural Events in Toulon

Jazz in Toulon is an annual music festival.
July 14 – Bastille Day is celebrated with a military march on the main streets of the city. There are usually air shows during the day and fireworks in the evening.

What to see in Toulon in 1 day, main attractions

Toulon - Toulon, port city and naval museum of France

Toulon (French Toulon, Ox. Tolon, Latin Telo Martius) is a city in the south of France, on the Mediterranean coast, at the foot of Mount Faron. Population - 160,639 inhabitants (1999). The city is a prefecture (administrative center) of the Var department and the Toulon district.

Toulon, seaport

The port of Toulon houses the most important naval base in France

Toulon. Story

Toulon was founded by the Phoenicians, who mined purple dyes here. In Merovingian times, Toulon was the seat of a bishop; The first of the local bishops is called Saint Honorat.

In 889, Toulon was destroyed by the Saracens, but Count William I of Arles rebuilt it.

Since 1032, Toulon was ruled by the counts of Provence; in 1178, 1196 and 1211 it was besieged and destroyed by the Saracens. After the annexation of Provence to France, King Charles VIII, having heard a lot about the natural advantages of the Toulon harbor, began the construction of a large port. These plans were thwarted by the Genoese, who feared losing their monopoly on maritime trade in this part of the Mediterranean.

In 1514, construction was resumed by Louis XII, who saw Toulon as a potential springboard for the Italian wars. A reminder of his contribution to the development of Toulon is the Royal Tower (1514-24); immediately upon completion of construction, it was taken (or rather, bought from the commandant for 500 ecus) by Constable Bourbon.

In 1536, Emperor Charles V visited Toulon. A few years after the joint siege of Nice, King Francis I allowed Barbarossa's pirates to winter in Toulon Bay; the local cathedral was used for Muslim worship.

In 1599, Henry the Great resumed construction of the port in Toulon, then its port facilities were significantly improved and expanded by Cardinal Richelieu. Colbert also understood the key importance of Toulon in maintaining French dominance in the Mediterranean. Under him, large construction and fortification work was carried out in the city, which was supervised by Vauban himself. The city was so well fortified that during the War of the Spanish Succession, in 1707, it withstood the siege of Prince Eugene of Savoy.

In 1793, the career of Napoleon Bonaparte began with the suppression of the royalist uprising in Toulon. Throughout the 19th century, the French relied on Toulon to expand their colonial empire. It was from here that all naval expeditions under the French flag began, such as the conquest of Algeria. Baron Haussmann, who ruled Toulon before being transferred to Paris, transformed the upper city by creating wide, green boulevards with multi-story buildings. Under him, Toulon was decorated with an opera house, the second largest in France, and public gardens, which bear the name of the Russian Tsar Alexander I.

In 1893, at the conclusion of the Franco-Russian alliance in Toulon, popular demonstrations took place on the occasion of the arrival here of the Russian squadron under the command of Vice Admiral Avelan.

During World War II, on November 27, 1942, most of the French navy was scuttled in Toulon harbor - a total of 77 ships. Toulon was heavily damaged during the Second World War, but in its main features the pedestrian zone from the times of Louis XIV with narrow streets, small squares and numerous fountains has survived. The main attraction in this part of the city is the Toulon Cathedral, founded in the 11th century, but completed only under the “Sun King”. Since the time of Napoleon, the city has housed the National Naval Museum.

French Naval Museum, Toulon

  • in Toulon, more details

The Toulon Naval Museum has a “Russian corner” dedicated to Russian-French cooperation

French Naval Museum in Toulon - “Russian Corner”

Toulon, what to see in the area, Mount Faron

The naval base and port city of Toulon is surrounded on one side by the sea and on the other by mountains, some of which were used as forts and a fortified area.
The most famous and listed attraction of Toulon is Mount Faron.
Official information Faron (French Faron) is a mountain in the south of France, located on the Mediterranean coast in the Var department, near the city of Toulon. The height above sea level is 584 meters. At the top of the mountain there are the remains of fortifications from the 17th-18th centuries, as well as a war memorial dedicated to the invasion of southern France by the anti-Hitler coalition forces on August 15, 1944 (Operation Dragoon). On Mount Faron there is also a national park specializing in breeding felines: tigers, panthers, lynxes, leopards, jaguars, pumas, etc.

Toulon - mountains in the vicinity of the city
War Memorial of the Second World War in Toulon

panorama of Toulon
Mountains in the surrounding area

From here you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the surrounding area and the city. Athletes, official delegations and of course local military veterans love to visit these places. You can climb the mountain by foot or car, as well as by cable car starting in the city.

Toulon. View of the city from Mount Faron

see also what to see, attractions and useful information:

  • historical views of Toulon
  • modern views of the historical part of the city
  • National Naval Museum of France in Toulon
  • Toulon, personal experience of traveling in France
  • excursions to Toulon by car with a Russian guide from Nice, Cannes and the cities of the Cote d'Azur
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TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

Toulon is a wonderful Mediterranean city in the south of France. And since the city is seaside, there are definitely wonderful beaches here. Moreover, Toulon is a port city, they say it is the most beautiful port city in Europe. Today, this is the most important naval port of the country, where the main sea vessels of France are located. Toulon has a very advantageous location - the city is located between Marseille, Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez - the most expensive and fashionable resort cities in France. In addition to the sea, Toulon has wonderful hills and Mount Faron; in fact, the city lies on a rocky bay, this has become another advantage of the city as a military port.

The city has a long, sometimes complex and bloody history, and it keeps its secrets in historical and architectural attractions, of which there are plenty. During the Second World War alone, as many as 77 French ships were sunk off the coast of Toulon.

One of the secrets of the city is that it was here that the dawn of Napoleon Bonaparte’s career began, then Jacques Cousteau immediately began his voyages, and they also say that Alexandre Dumas also began to write in Toulon.

The main part of the interesting places is located in the old part of the city, which has remained almost unchanged since the time of Louis 16. The new part is spread out around the old city on the hills.

Since the city is a port, then probably the most important attraction of the city can be called a port with a roadstead. Now the port houses a naval museum, opened in 1981. It houses a huge collection of miniature replicas of ships, fishing boats and various vessels from the 17th to 21st centuries.

The Royal Tower was built in the 16th century on the eastern cape and was restored in the 17th century.

Also, the fort is guarded by Fort Saint Louis.

Well, for those who are not interested in the port, ships and other naval fortifications, there is still a lot of interesting things in the city. For example, there are 18 fountains in the city, the most beautiful of them was built in 1780 and is called “Three Dolphins”. In the fountain itself grow oleander and fern, under which dolphins supposedly hide.
The fountain is located in the city center on Place Puget. The city's second famous fountain is called "Tambourine", located on Place Louis Blanc. This fountain was built in 1839 in honor of a musical instrument popular in the Provence region.

Next, you should definitely visit the Cathedral of Our Lady Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-la-Seds. The building was built in the 9th century in the Romanesque style, and the interior decoration was in the Gothic style. In the 18th century, the facade of the building was changed and completed in the Baroque style.

In addition to the Cathedral, the city also has a wonderful 18th-century church, Saint-François-de-Paul, built in 1744 in the Baroque style.

Also, you should definitely see the magnificent Garden of Alexander the Great, named after the king of Yugoslavia. The park was officially opened to visitors in 1852. Trees from those times, such as a huge cypress, are still preserved here. Every year in November, the garden hosts a chestnut festival, where you can try roasted chestnuts.

The city is located right at the foot of Mount Faron, so when in Toulon, taking the cable car to the top is simply necessary. You can climb the mountain in a trailer in 5 minutes; the cabin can accommodate up to 15 people. From the top of Faron there is a magnificent view of the sea and the bay, and there is also a memorial to the soldiers who liberated the lands from the German occupiers and the military operation Dragoon. Moreover, there is a wild cat zoo right there. Entrance costs 9 euros for adults, and for children - 5.5. There is a free bus from the exit point of the funicular to the zoo. The zoo is home to not only cats, but also a lot of different mustachioed animals. The zoo is not big at all, you can get around in about 30 minutes. I think children will definitely like it here. On the territory there is a shop with souvenirs, and behind it there is a magnificent observation deck, from there a simply magical view of the mountain and lake opens up.

Basically, the city's attractions are dedicated to the fort and the brilliant victories of the French fleet; the city simply breathes with ships, the sea and the free life of sailors. It’s nice to just walk the streets, breathe the sea air, admire the fountains and flower beds.

There are many wonderful beaches in the vicinity of the city, such as in the Murion region. There are probably the most luxurious beaches in the region, many of them are marked with a blue flag for the cleanliness of the water, and Murion also has a chic market with a huge selection of various Provencal goods.

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The first mention of this French city dates back to the 5th-6th centuries BC. e. Historians consider the founders of Toulon to be the ancient Phoenicians, who chose the very cozy and convenient harbor where the city is now located. These days, this French resort is becoming increasingly popular among lovers of beach holidays on the Cote d'Azur and, of course, fans of exploring local attractions and ancient archaeological finds. The city of Toulon can provide all this.

Lovers of deep antiquity, of course, immediately rush to pay attention to the historical center of the city (pedestrian zone), where almost all the more or less significant historical objects are located. The main pride of the local residents is Notre-Dame de la Cede de Toulon or, more simply, the Toulon Cathedral.

Cathedral Sainte-Marie de la Seds

This temple is located at Toulon, 55 Place de la Cathedrale. It is rightfully recognized as a national treasure and pride of the country. The cathedral has its own long history, since its construction, which began in 1096, was based on the ruins of an older religious building, the date of construction of which dates back to the 5th century. One day this Christian shrine was unlucky, and it was converted into a Muslim mosque in 1543. Fortunately for Orthodox believers, all these metamorphoses and transformations quickly ended. The original Romanesque style underwent significant changes over the centuries, and the result was a beautiful architectural structure called Notre-Dame de la Cede de Toulon (don’t be surprised at the different names of the temple, the French have this custom).

Atlantes de Pierre Puget

It is also worth looking at another work of art - statues of Atlanteans, created by the famous 17th century architect and sculptor Pierre Puget. These mythical characters appeared here on the city administration building in 1657. City residents got so used to them and loved them, considering them a symbol of the city, that even during the bombings in the last war they dismantled them so as not to lose them forever! Now the Atlanteans decorate the central facade of the National Naval Museum, located at Toulon, Place Monsenergue.

Place Puget

Thanks to his sculptures, Master Puget was so popular among local residents that they named one of the city squares in his honor, which later became a favorite place for walking among the townspeople and their guests. Here, on the square, there is a very nice fountain “Three Dolphins”. The date of its manufacture is 1780. In fact, there are 18 fountains in Toulon that are of historical and cultural value, but the Three Dolphins is the most famous of all! The French call Toulon the city of fountains.

Royal Tower / Tour Royale

In the turbulent years of the 16th century, at the urgent request of the townspeople, who were mortally afraid of the devastating raids of sea pirates and other external aggressors, the construction of a fortification began in the city, with huge walls, the height of which reached 7 meters and the thickness of up to 5 meters. It was possible to get into this impregnable fortress only with the help of a drawbridge. Over time, this grandiose structure lost its relevance and therefore the city authorities converted the fortress into a prison. Now, the territory of the royal tower is given over to the naval museum. You can climb the tower to admire the picturesque landscapes of the city and surrounding area.

National Naval Museum of Toulon / Musee national de la Marine a Toulon

Toulon, Place Monsenergue - at this address, you will find a very interesting and educational museum, where, with the help of an audio guide, you can hear the fascinating history of the French fleet from time immemorial. See with your own eyes exact copies and models of ancient ships, as well as modern cruisers and aircraft carriers! Entrance ticket for an adult will cost 6 euros.

Once you've explored all the city's attractions, don't forget to take either the cable car or the narrow path up to the famous limestone hill (580 meters) overlooking the city for panoramic views of the bay and the entire Bay of Toulon. Once you reach the top, don't forget to pay tribute to France's allies in the fight against fascism. There is also a very good zoo there. Here, in a small area, you can see and get to know better the habits of predators of the cat family. (tigers, cheetahs, lions, pumas, etc., etc.)

When you walk near the cathedral, be sure to visit the Provençal market (Lafayette Boulevard), where you can buy not only the freshest food, including freshly caught seafood, but also all kinds of trinkets and souvenirs made by the hands of local craftsmen.

When walking around Toulon, find the Boulevard de Strasbourg. Here on this boulevard there is a unique opera and ballet theater, the second largest in the country. The artists are known far beyond the borders of France. People from all over the world come to the premieres of performances. This is of course not the Bolshoi Theater - but still! The theater building itself, with its unique acoustics, is a masterpiece of architectural art.

I would like to give one little piece of advice - when traveling in the summer, do not go to crowded city beaches! The best beaches in Toulon are located in the Mourion quarter. There are ideal conditions for a beach holiday here, with a very well-developed infrastructure. Coastal fish restaurants, cafes and other hot spots should also please you with their affordable prices, especially since there are plenty of local wines here!

Toulon is considered one of the largest cities on the Cote d'Azur. A naval base is still based in its port, and in the city itself there are many museums dedicated to the history of the fleet. So, what to see in?

Toulon itself is divided into two parts: the Old Town is a pedestrian zone and is famous for its narrow streets and elegant fountains. There is also a cathedral and a luxurious Provençal market.

The “Upper City” was designed by the famous architect of the times of Napoleon III, Baron Haussmann. The development of this part of Toulon resembles the center. It is here that you can see the grandiose buildings of the opera, Galeries Lafayette and the Palace of Justice.

The main port of Toulon houses the Naval Museum, famous for its extensive collection of ancient weapons and ship models. It is also worth climbing Mount Faron, on the top of which there are ruins of defensive structures from the 17th century.

The fishing village of Mourillon is also of particular interest. Here is the Museum of the East, an ancient fort of the 16th century, a huge botanical garden and luxurious sandy beaches.

TOP 10 attractions of Toulon

Toulon Cathedral has served as the residence of bishops since the 5th century. Nothing remains of such an ancient building except the small chapel of St. Joseph from the 10th century, now part of the modern cathedral.

An interesting fact is that in the 16th century the cathedral was briefly used as a Muslim mosque, since more than 30 thousand Turkish sailors were stationed in Toulon. However, the cathedral was soon returned to the Catholic Church.

Subsequently, architectural work began to rebuild the ancient Romanesque building and add to it the elegant Chapel of the Holy Relics, built in the 15th century. In 1701, a luxurious new main façade of the temple was completed, designed in the style of the Classical era. It was decorated with various bas-reliefs and massive columns. In the mid-18th century, a bell tower was added to the cathedral.

The interior decoration of the cathedral was made mainly in the middle of the 19th century - the painting of the walls of the temple, the main organ and elaborate gilded wooden sculptures date back to the same period. And in the Chapel of Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi) an amazing Baroque altarpiece from 1681, made of marble and decorated with stucco, has been preserved.

Address: 55 Place de la Cathédrale

Liberty Square and Strasbourg Boulevard

Place de la Liberté and the spacious Boulevard de Strasbourg adjacent to it are considered the center of city life in Toulon. This quarter was developed in the mid-19th century by the famous architect Haussmann and resembles a typical elite Parisian building.

In the center of Liberty Square is the Federation Fountain, consisting of three figures symbolizing France, Strength and Justice. Opposite the fountain stands the city hall, decorated with curious statues of Atlanteans. A little further away you can see the curious buildings of the Lafayette Gallery and the Art Museum, where the best paintings of Provençal masters of the 18th-20th centuries are exhibited. All these buildings are distinguished by their bright decor - they were built in approximately the same style at the end of the 19th century.

The pearl of this quarter is the luxurious building of the Toulon Opera, the oldest in all of France. The opera, located on the fashionable Strasbourg Boulevard, was inaugurated in 1862. It is distinguished by an elegant portal decorated with arcades, sculptures and stucco. The opera seats just under two thousand spectators.

The Strasbourg Boulevard smoothly flows into the Boulevard General Leclerc, at the end of which lies the huge Park Alexandre I, opened back in 1852. The park is named after the King of Yugoslavia, who was tragically assassinated in 1934. Alexander I Park is an ideal place to relax: there are several shady alleys, a small pond, many interesting monuments, as well as playgrounds.

Addresses: Boulevard de Strasbourg; Place de la Liberté

The National Museum of Naval History of France is located at the entrance to the main port of Toulon. The history of the building that houses the museum is interesting. This luxurious building formerly served as the entrance to the arsenal. It was built back in 1738, while the museum itself was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814. The central facade of the naval museum building is decorated with elegant stucco, powerful columns and interesting sculptures depicting Atlanteans.

The collection of the naval museum itself is amazing. Here you can see weapons from different eras, paintings by marine painters, and interesting historical documents. A separate exhibition allows visitors to get acquainted with the life of a simple French sailor - their uniform, sea tools, and household items are presented here.

Of particular interest is the collection of models and models of sea vessels - from ancient merchant galleys to modern aircraft carriers. The most famous of the warships is the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has also taken part in modern conflicts.

And in the Toulon Naval Museum there is a small department dedicated to Russian-French relations - it displays commemorative porcelain, anniversary insignia and jewelry.

Address: Place Monsenergue, Quai de Norfolk

The huge museum of natural theory of Toulon and the province of Var is located a couple of kilometers from the city center in a picturesque suburb. Previously, the museum was located in an elite quarter on Freedom Square, but now this building houses the Art Museum.

The collection of the Natural History Museum is amazing. Here you can see various fossils, dinosaur skeletons, ancient human bones and even masterpieces of primitive art. A separate exhibition is dedicated to flora and fauna, where skillful stuffed giraffes, lynxes, turtles and various birds are presented. The museum building is well equipped with modern multimedia.

The Natural History Museum is surrounded by a luxurious park known as La Garden. Here you can also see some of the museum's exhibits - the rock garden is made of ancient minerals, and fragrant magnolias and other Mediterranean plants grow along the park alleys.

Address: Jardin du Las

The Italian Gate is part of the city fortress wall, practically the only one preserved in Toulon. The first defensive buildings have been on this site since the 13th century. The modern Italian Gate was further strengthened by the military engineering genius Vauban in the 17th century.

Subsequently, it was through these gates that the future Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte set out to conquer in 1796 - hence the name of this gate. Now these luxurious city gates are open to tourists. The entrance through them is pedestrian, and on their top you can see ancient artillery.

By the way, not far from the Italian Gate there is an interesting theater cafe.

Address: Porte d'Italie; 12 Place Armand Valle

Fountains of Toulon

The historic quarter of Toulon is famous not only for its elegant baroque buildings, but also for its curious fountains located in secluded places in squares or attached directly to buildings. There are more than 80 fountains in the city, and each fountain is unique; no two are alike.

  • The Dauphin's fountain is located in a niche of the bishop's residence. It appeared in the drawings of Louis XIV, the famous Sun King. The fountain, designed in 1668, depicts a scary fish with bulging eyes.
  • The Fountain of the Three Dauphins is located on Place Puget. This monument of the late 18th century is an amazing sight - the stone sculpture is so wildly overgrown with greenery and wild grapes that it is almost hidden from prying eyes. And the square itself is famous for the fact that the great writer Victor Hugo stayed in one of the nearby mansions. Nowadays there are many cozy cafes with open verandas on Place Puget.
  • The Saint-Vincent Fountain is located on the square of the same name. It is a clever engineering system - it is equipped with two small pools used for washing and rinsing clothes. On the other hand, it is a regular drinking water fountain. The modern Saint-Vincent fountain was built in 1832 on the site of an ancient building from 1615.

It is worth noting that the fate of the Saint-Vincent fountain also befell many other city fountains - they were built back in the 17th century, but over the past centuries they fell into disrepair and were replaced in the 19th-20th centuries.

Mount Faron is located near Toulon. Its height is 584 meters above sea level. You can climb to the top on foot along a steep steep path, but it is much more convenient to ride a cable car, and the ascent will take no more than 10 minutes.

From the top of Mount Faron there are stunning views of Toulon and the surrounding area. Also here you can see the picturesque ruins of defensive structures of the 17th-18th centuries and a memorial in memory of the Allied landing in France in 1944. A small museum of military equipment from the Second World War is now open on this site.

Also on the slopes of the mountain there is an interesting zoo specializing in breeding wild cats - jaguars, tigers and lynxes.

Address: Route du Faron

The Mourillon district is located east of the center of Toulon. Once upon a time it was a modest fishing village, which in the 19th and 20th centuries was chosen by the families of sailors of the French fleet.

  • The main attraction of the quarter is the powerful Fort Saint-Louis, built in the 16th century and further fortified by the famous engineer Vauban.
  • At the foot of this small fortress there is a picturesque house with a garden. It previously belonged to the descendants of the great writer Jules Verne, and now houses the curious Oriental Museum. His collection included a variety of trophies that came to France during the colonization of the Southeast. You can also see unique masterpieces of Japanese, Chinese and Indian art here.
  • The Mourillon district is also home to a luxurious botanical garden, opened back in 1889. Typical Mediterranean flora grows here - palm trees, pine trees and funny cacti, and golden mimosa blooms. In the park you can also see a marble statue of the German poet Heinrich Heine.

Address: 301 Littoral Frédéric Mistral, Le Mourillon

The Royal Tower rises on a promontory near the Mourillon area. This powerful defensive building was completed in the 16th century. The tower is impressive in size - its diameter is 60 meters. Subsequently, it was strengthened by the great engineer Vauban and “took part” in many wars and conflicts, including the bloody War of the Spanish Succession of the early 18th century.

Subsequently, the tower served as a prison and gold storage facility. By the way, it was from the top of the Royal Tower that Josephine Beauharnais, Napoleon’s wife, saw off her husband’s fleet as it set off on the Egyptian campaign.

In 1947, the tower was modernized, and its most dilapidated buildings were dismantled. In 2004, the Royal Tower was turned into a museum. The fortress walls, the tower itself and the casemates are open to the public. A path along the coast connects the tower with the cozy sandy beaches of the Mourillon area.

Address: Avenue de la Tour Royale

The elite quarter of Cap Brun is located a little further from the Mourillon district. It was founded at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and this place was immediately chosen by representatives of the upper strata of society and French bohemia. Here are preserved villas and mansions that belonged to the great Charles de Gaulle, the famous artist Jean Cocteau and many others. Also here you can see the slightly scary ruins of fortifications from the Second World War and visit the small chapel of Notre Dame du Cap Falcon, topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary. In the Cap Brun area there is a picturesque restaurant on the seashore, a secluded tiny beach and even a diving school.

Address: 821 Chemin de la Batterie Basse, Cap Brun