Toulon stop in May, what would you recommend for beautiful scenery?

[NalCruiser]

Asking all french port veterans :) so would be your recommendation for something scenic to do at the Toulon stop (coming from Rome and Livorno, it would be great if its not as intense of a day, but would still love just to see some beautiful french scenery, especially pretty places to photograph.

 

I'm completely unfamiliar with this area other than knowing one can go up to Aix or Marseille or (something else?) but for me it doesn't even to be a city necessarily - some beach or boating scene, any kind of natural views, or villages or anything are great too. Just wanna gawk at anything beautiful without necessarily having to do anything intense. :)

 

recommendations?

[floridafolks]

Asking all french port veterans :) so would be your recommendation for something scenic to do at the Toulon stop (coming from Rome and Livorno, it would be great if its not as intense of a day, but would still love just to see some beautiful french scenery, especially pretty places to photograph.

 

I'm completely unfamiliar with this area other than knowing one can go up to Aix or Marseille or (something else?) but for me it doesn't even to be a city necessarily - some beach or boating scene, any kind of natural views, or villages or anything are great too. Just wanna gawk at anything beautiful without necessarily having to do anything intense. :)

 

recommendations?

First, you might want to check if you are actually docking in Toulon. Our itinerary showed Toulon, but we actually docked across the water in La Seyne Sur Mer.

 

During a very port intensive cruise, we decided to make Toulon(La Seyne Sur Mer) a more relaxing day and just enjoy the French atmosphere. We took the city bus to Sanary sur Mer and Bandol (crossing over an interesting viaduct). We spent more time in Bandol and found it to be a very lovely village. It is famous for its wine and there is a wonderful wine shop on the main street near the casino- The proprietor was charming and very informative about Bandol wines and had complimentary tastiings. The walk around the coastal path is lovely and relaxing. It had lots of outside cafes along the waterfront. We then took the public bus back(we were the only ones on the bus and the driver detoured to let us off near the dock, saving us some walking! (I could not believe that!) It was one of our favorite days on the cruise! (and the cheapest --except for the Bandol wine we bought.)

Edited March 1, 2013 by floridafolks

[fabnfortysomething]

we took a tour with provencewinetours run by 2 lovely frenchwomen Gaetane and Marian.It was a minivan tour of 3 wineries into some lovely countryside a visit to fishermans village of Cassis and a very photogenic overview point at the highest point in the area which took in views over countryside and sea-well recommended

[NalCruiser]

@floridafolks - wow, thanks for bringing that to my attention!! Ship is NLC Spirit.. I wonder how to find out. I didn't even think of such a thing that it may not dock in Toulon and if not how to make plans

 

@fabnfortysomething - looks like you were on the same ship I will be on! I have heard a lot of Cassis and would love to go there! Especially if we can sail to see the calanques.

 

not sure what would be a better option, Aix or Cassis? For seeing the calanques if possible, I imagine coming from a lot of history-intensive cities maybe something scenic and nature-oriented will be a nice change.

[ccv]

First, you might want to check if you are actually docking in Toulon. Our itinerary showed Toulon, but we actually docked across the water in La Seyne Sur Mer.

 

During a very port intensive cruise, we decided to make Toulon(La Seyne Sur Mer) a more relaxing day and just enjoy the French atmosphere. We took the city bus to Sanary sur Mer and Bandol (crossing over an interesting viaduct). We spent more time in Bandol and found it to be a very lovely village. It is famous for its wine and there is a wonderful wine shop on the main street near the casino- The proprietor was charming and very informative about Bandol wines and had complimentary tastiings. The walk around the coastal path is lovely and relaxing. It had lots of outside cafes along the waterfront. We then took the public bus back(we were the only ones on the bus and the driver detoured to let us off near the dock, saving us some walking! (I could not believe that!) It was one of our favorite days on the cruise! (and the cheapest --except for the Bandol wine we bought.)

 

Can you provide more details about the bus to Sanary sur Mer and Bandol. What bus did you use and where did you catch it?

 

Bill

[floridafolks]

Can you provide more details about the bus to Sanary sur Mer and Bandol. What bus did you use and where did you catch it?

 

Bill

 

Here is the email that I received from the TI in La Seyne- I got the timetable online and carried it with me that day

Madam,

 

Thank you for your message. From the terminal cruise, the closest bus stop is "Seyne Centre". It's located on the port of La Seyne sur Mer near a 4 star hotel "Kyriad Prestige". From the terminal cruise you can get there on foot ( roughly 15 min ), by bus (using the number 83 from the bus stop "Rouves" to "Seyne centre"), or by taxi. Be carefull because a lot of buses don't work on sundays! I suggest you to consult the timetable of on the internet http://www.varlib.fr/.

 

See you soon on La Seyne sur Mer !

 

Kind regards

 

Lise

 

LE SERVICE ACCUEIL

OFFICE DE TOURISME INTERCOMMUNAL DE L'OUEST VAR

Bureau d'Accueil de La Seyne Sur Mer - Corniche Pompidou - Les Sablettes

Info@ot-la-seyne-sur-mer.fr - http://www.ot-la-seyne-sur-mer.fr

 

http://routedesvinsdeprovence.com/decouvrir-domaine/oenotheque-des-vins-de-bandol

This is the site about the wine place. I emailed Pascal Perier to make certain of the hours for the date we were there and received a prompt reply. It is located at Place Lucien Artaud across from the Casino and across from the waterfront. There is also a wonderful Tourist Information place along the water front and they gave me a nice map and a walking route to follow to get to the beaches etc. Everyone was so nice!

Edited March 5, 2013 by floridafolks

[Langtoncouple]

When in Toulon , you MUST go up in the cable car. We bought our tickets from the Tourist Information Office in the centre of town. 6 euros each for a ticket that gave unlimited bus travel for the day, the return trip on the Telepherique, and a trip on a boat around the harbour. Truly incredible value for money. The cable car ride was quite an experience but only took about 10 minutes going up; and a bit less coming back down! There is a small cafe/bar at the top - Le Panoramique, where you can have refreshments and sit down and take in the view. Not only can you look over the city on the seaward side but a short walk around the summit takes you to the north where you can look over a valley full of numerous villages and houses. Well worth the visit. If you are nervous about the ride in the cable car then you need only look inwards during the journeys up and down but you will soon find once you get accustomed to the movement of the cable car that you will want to look out over the mountainside below you.

[CardFanDubG]

we took a tour with provencewinetours run by 2 lovely frenchwomen Gaetane and Marian.It was a minivan tour of 3 wineries into some lovely countryside a visit to fishermans village of Cassis and a very photogenic overview point at the highest point in the area which took in views over countryside and sea-well recommended

 

We are taking the same tour and looking forward to it. Was pick-up for the tour where your ship docked or did you have to take a water bus across the bay?

[fabnfortysomething]

We are taking the same tour and looking forward to it. Was pick-up for the tour where your ship docked or did you have to take a water bus across the bay?

 

we actually docked in Toulon so our guide picked us up in the square as we exited the port building

[hsaroya]

First, you might want to check if you are actually docking in Toulon. Our itinerary showed Toulon, but we actually docked across the water in La Seyne Sur Mer.

 

During a very port intensive cruise, we decided to make Toulon(La Seyne Sur Mer) a more relaxing day and just enjoy the French atmosphere. We took the city bus to Sanary sur Mer and Bandol (crossing over an interesting viaduct). We spent more time in Bandol and found it to be a very lovely village. It is famous for its wine and there is a wonderful wine shop on the main street near the casino- The proprietor was charming and very informative about Bandol wines and had complimentary tastiings. The walk around the coastal path is lovely and relaxing. It had lots of outside cafes along the waterfront. We then took the public bus back(we were the only ones on the bus and the driver detoured to let us off near the dock, saving us some walking! (I could not believe that!) It was one of our favorite days on the cruise! (and the cheapest --except for the Bandol wine we bought.)

 

Floridafolks, I hope you're still on cruise critic as I have some questions about the public bus.

 

How much did the entire day's journey cost each person?

 

Did the information you received from Toulon about the times/routes help you in your planning or did you still need help when you got there? I'm wondering if anyone will be available on a Sunday...

 

Were there any good beaches within walking distance of the bus stops in the two towns? (We have 2 teeens who will be craving a beach day at the end of what will have been a ruin/museum/cathedral/historical sites filled 12 days!)

 

Did a lack of French hinder you at all (unless, of course, you speak French)? We've got a little bit of Canadian French, but not sure if we will do well with it in France.

 

How many hours were you away on this trip?

 

Did you need correct change for the bus?

 

Were there other small towns you could have stopped at along the way?

 

I am at a total loss for this port and would like to either rent a car (which, being a Sunday, is going to run over 200e) or better yet, do what you did.

 

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

 

Harjinder

Edited January 6, 2014 by hsaroya