Car Hire in Toulon

About Toulon

Toulon, a city and port in southeastern France, is the capital of the Var department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Toulon has been an important port since the Romans, who established the first port here in the city of Toulon. Today, Toulon is the most important naval base in France and also an important financial, business, and historical city. Toulon is the third-largest French city on the Mediterranean, just behind Marseille and Nice. But Toulon is not only an important naval base, it also has a lot to offer you. You simply must come here and explore this beautiful city.

You will not need much time to discover Toulon. So if you want to take a road trip through the southeast of France and visit Toulon, you will need a day or two for exploring this city. The old town is particularly worth seeing. It was heavily bombed during World War II. and many important historic buildings were destroyed. But today, some of them have been repaired and others rebuilt, so you can visit various churches, museums, and galleries and discover narrow streets with small squares where you can have a coffee or find a restaurant for lunch.

The city of Toulon is also famous in France for its successful rugby team, so if you are lucky you can catch a game. There are also some beautiful beaches close to the city center and fantastic scenery surrounding Toulon. So if you come here, you will find something for yourself.

Basic info and car hire in Toulon

• Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France
• Population: 176,198
• Official language: French
• Currency: Euro
• Weather:  Toulon has a Mediterranean climate
• Holidays in Toulon:   For public holidays in France follow this link
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads in Toulon are in good condition.
• Car hire in Toulon:  The most common pick-up point for vehicles in Toulon is at Toulon airport and Toulon Railway Station. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks in advance of your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire in Toulon!

 Driving in Toulon

Toulon, like many other cities with a lot of industry, can get pretty busy during rush hour. If you are travelling by car and coming to Toulon, it is best to park your car in one of the many car parks in the city and explore the city on foot.

Here in Provence, there are many places in the area that you cannot reach by public transport. Therefore, the best solution here is to rent a car. Around Toulon, there are so many beautiful villages and such stunning scenery that you will simply fall in love with this land as you drive through it.

Special attention must be paid to cyclists here in Provence. There are a lot of them on the road, from locals to professional cyclists who train here on these beautiful roads. So be extra careful when you are out and about here and watch out for the cyclists. Otherwise, this is one of the best places for anyone who enjoys driving. The roads are in great condition, the views are breathtaking, and there are plenty of things to see and do. Buckle up and drive safely.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in France is 18 years.
• International Driving Permit:  Yes, if you are a non-EU license holder.
• Additional papers:   Identification(passports for all people in the car), the car's registration certificate, and your M.O.T. certificate (for cars over three years old, proving the vehicle meets environmental and road safety standards), a valid driving license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to buy insurance at the car hire agency in case your policy doesn't cover you while driving in France)
• Additional requirements:  High-visibility, reflective vest for every person in the car, Warning triangle, Full set of replacement bulbs for head and taillights, Spare pair of glasses, Headlight converters (required if driving from, "Crit'Air" badge (required in central Paris), Breathalyzer.
• Children in the car:  Children under 13 must be in car seats or wearing seat belts appropriate for their age and height. Babies and infants about a year old or under should always be positioned in rear-facing car seats.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights:  Check that all lights are working, clean, and correctly aimed.
• General speed limits: There is a variable maximum speed on French roads, depending on weather conditions. In dry weather, 2- or 3-lane rural roads are limited to 80 km/h, 4-lane expressways (in rural areas) are limited to 110 km/h, and motorways (in rural areas if classified as highways) are limited to 130 km/h. In rainy conditions, the limits are lowered to 80, 100, and 110 km/h respectively. The 50 km/h speed limit in cities is independent of weather conditions. The general speed limit is reduced to 50 km/h on all roads in fog or other poor visibility conditions when visibility is less than 50 meters.
• Parking suggestions: In the city area, you must pay for all street parking from Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am-8:00 pm, and you pay per hour. Parking is free on Sundays and holidays. Generally, you can park for up to 6 hours at a time if you do not have a resident's permit, and up to a week at a time with a permit.

What to see in Toulon

The cable car of Faron

This is a cable car ride up the mountain of Faron. It is considered one of the most popular attractions here in Toulon. At the top of Mount Faron, you will have a breathtaking view of the city of Toulon and the Mediterranean Sea beyond. If you are in Toulon, you should visit this attraction, you will not regret it. 

Port of Toulon

As a port city, the port of Toulon is something that you must visit. You can just walk around here and admire the beautiful yachts and the pretty boats. You can also shop here in many shops or dine in some good restaurants. In the evenings, there is a special atmosphere here that you should also experience. A glass of wine, live music, and the sea, a perfect combination!

Plage du Mourillon

There are some great sandy beaches close to the city centre. If you like beach sports and the sea or especially if you have kids, you should visit this place. There are also many restaurants and bars on the beaches. You can find a nice spot under a palm tree and enjoy your holiday. 

Hôtel des Arts

This is also one of the places that you must visit in Toulon. This great museum with ever-changing exhibitions is one of the best museums on the Mediterranean coast. If you like modern art, then this museum is another reason to visit Toulon.

Best restaurants in Toulon:

Le Pastel

Le Rock

Les Tables de la Fontaine

Aoc 41

Quaizero2

Le Bistrot de l'Opera