Explore Toulon’s old town on foot, through narrow streets, small squares and café terraces. From Cours Lafayette, walk to the cathedral, Place Puget and the port. Rue des Arts adds galleries and independent shops to the route.
More about your visit
Start on Cours Lafayette, then head towards the cathedral and Place Puget. Old Toulon is an inhabited neighbourhood, with everyday shops, deliveries and contrasts, rather than a fixed backdrop for visitors.
Historical walks offered by the Amis du Vieux Toulon distinguish the medieval core from the extensions associated with Henri IV. Towards the harbour, the view suddenly opens out.
For market food, stay around cours Lafayette. If galleries and independent designers appeal to you, continue towards rue des Arts and place de l’Équerre. You could also visit the cathedral, then stop at a terrace on place Puget.
Walking is free; purchases, drinks and guided visits are separate. Morning suits visitors wanting to see the shopping district in action. A guided walk provides more historical context, but its departure and calendar must be booked with the organiser.
The tourist office’s historical tour also explores Toulon’s penal colony, evoked in Les Misérables, and the tributes to Raimu, the actor born in the city. Tours devoted to the fountains or to medieval Toulon and the city under Henri IV also offer a way to explore one theme after an initial independent visit.
Sources
Information from sources consulted on 25 September 2026.
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