You cannot really understand Toulon without its harbour. The city has developed around one of the Mediterranean’s great natural roadsteads, and the presence of the French Navy has shaped Toulon for centuries.
For a visitor, the waterfront mixes several worlds at once. Naval vessels may be visible alongside ferries, excursion boats and smaller craft, while restaurants and pedestrian areas connect the harbour directly with the city centre.
Walk before taking a boat
I would start by simply walking the waterfront. It gives you a sense of the scale of the harbour and explains why Toulon became such an important naval city.
Boat trips around the rade provide a different perspective and are particularly useful if you are interested in maritime history. What you can see will naturally depend on naval activity and security restrictions.
The harbour is still working
This is not a waterfront created purely for tourists. Toulon remains an active military and commercial port, and that working character is one of the things that distinguishes it from more polished Mediterranean resort towns.
The Old Town begins only a short walk away, so the harbour fits naturally into almost any visit. Combine it with the maritime museum, Cours Lafayette market and the narrow streets behind the waterfront. Together they tell much of Toulon’s story without requiring a car.