Provence's Naval Heart — Best Seen by Car
Toulon is Provence's most important naval city — home to France's Mediterranean fleet, a spectacular natural harbour, and the closest mainland port to the golden islands of Hyères. It is a working city rather than a polished resort, and that is part of its appeal. The food is excellent, the harbour is genuinely impressive, and the surrounding region offers some of the most varied driving in southern France. A hire car here puts the coast, the islands, the mountains, and the lavender fields all within reach.
With a rental car from Toulon you can explore the Giens Peninsula, day-trip to the island of Porquerolles, drive the coastal road toward Marseille, or head inland to the medieval villages and vineyards of the Var. The A57 and A50 motorways connect to Nice and Marseille, but the real pleasure is on the smaller roads — the coastal corniches, the mountain passes, and the vineyard routes that thread through the interior.
City centre, station, airport
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Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
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A50, A57
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Coast, islands, Provence interior, wine
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Match collection to the actual itinerary
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City or Station Pickup
If you are staying in Toulon itself, collecting your car in the city or at the railway station avoids the need to park at the airport. The harbour area is walkable, and you may not need the car for your first day or two. City offices have more limited hours than the airport, so plan accordingly. This suits travellers who want to explore Toulon on foot before driving out.
Airport Collection
Toulon–Hyères Airport (TLN) is east of the city and offers a wider choice of vehicles and longer desk hours. If your trip starts with a drive — to the coast, the islands, or inland Provence — airport pickup is efficient. Summer demand is high, so book ahead for July and August. Marseille Airport is a larger alternative around an hour west if you need more flight options.
Plan the handover, price and first drive
Toulon is not the Provence of postcards. It is a working port, a naval base, a city where the restaurants serve bouillabaisse to sailors rather than tourists. But that authenticity is exactly what makes it interesting. The harbour is one of the most impressive in the Mediterranean — a deep natural inlet surrounded by hills, with France's fleet at anchor.
The real reward, though, is the surrounding region. The Giens Peninsula has beaches that would be famous if they were on the other side of the country. Porquerolles, a short ferry ride away, is car-free and feels like a Caribbean island dropped into the Mediterranean. The drive to Marseille along the A50 is quick, but the coastal road is spectacular.
Inland, the Var is a different Provence — hill villages where old men play pétanque under plane trees, vineyards that produce some of France's best rosé, and markets where truffles appear in winter. Le Castellet and Bandol are within easy reach, and the Verdon Gorge, Europe's deepest canyon, is a longer but unforgettable drive.
A hire car in Toulon is what connects all of this. You can have breakfast at the harbour market, spend the morning on a Mediterranean beach, take the ferry to an island for lunch, and be back for dinner in a hill village. Without a car, you are limited to the city and the occasional bus. With it, you are exploring one of France's most diverse regions at your own pace.
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Fuel policy
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Mileage and territory
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Extras and return
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Choose for people, bags and roads
A category normally represents a group of similar cars, not a promise of one exact model.
- Compact: convenient for couples and tighter parking.
- Intermediate: more room for bags and longer journeys.
- Family or SUV category: useful only when the required capacity justifies it.
- Transmission: select automatic explicitly if manual is unsuitable.
Practical planning before departure
Documents and Deposit
A valid driving licence is required, with an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in a Latin alphabet. Bring your passport or ID card and a credit card in the main driver's name for the security deposit. Check your voucher for the supplier's exact requirements.
Fuel and Return
Full-to-full is standard. Return the car with a full tank to avoid refuelling charges. Keep your last fuel receipt. Fuel stations are available in Toulon and along the main coastal roads. Photograph the car's condition at pickup and return.
Parking in Toulon
The harbour area and city centre have paid parking. Street parking can be competitive, especially near the market and the naval base. If your hotel offers parking, take it. For exploring Toulon itself, you may not need the car — the harbour, the old town, and the cable car to Mont Faron are all accessible on foot.
Local access, road and operating conditions can change. Check current signs, your supplier instructions and the linked source before travelling: Toulon Tourism.
Build a realistic first journey
The Giens Peninsula and Porquerolles
Drive south to the Giens Peninsula, where sandy beaches and turquoise water rival the Caribbean. The ferry to Porquerolles, the largest of the Hyères islands, leaves from La Tour Fondue at the tip of the peninsula. Porquerolles is car-free, so leave your hire car on the mainland and explore the island by bike or on foot. The combination of a scenic drive and a ferry day trip makes this one of the best excursions from Toulon.
Marseille and the Calanques
Head west on the A50 to Marseille, France's oldest city and one of its most dynamic. The vieux port, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, and the Le Panier district are all worth exploring. Beyond Marseille, the Calanques — steep-walled inlets between Marseille and Cassis — offer spectacular boat trips and hikes. Cassis itself is a charming fishing port with excellent seafood.
The Var Interior
Drive north into the Var, away from the coast, and you enter a landscape of medieval hill villages, vineyards, and truffle markets. Le Castellet is one of the most beautiful, perched on a rocky outcrop with views across the vineyards to the sea. Bandol, famous for its rosé and red wines, is just west. This is Provence as it used to be — slower, more rural, and deeply traditional.
Nice and the Côte d'Azur
Take the A57 east toward Nice and the eastern Riviera. The drive passes through Toulon, crosses the Var river, and climbs along the coast with spectacular views. Nice, Cannes, and Antibes are within reach for a longer day trip or an overnight stay. The coastal road between Toulon and Saint-Tropez is one of the most scenic in France, though traffic can be heavy in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I pick up a hire car in Toulon?
Options include the city centre, Toulon railway station, and Toulon–Hyères Airport. City and station pickups suit travellers staying central; airport pickup is better for immediate regional driving. Compare all options above.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
EU and EEA licences are valid as is. If your licence is in a non-Latin script or issued outside the EEA, you will typically need an International Driving Permit. Check your voucher for the supplier's exact policy.
Can I take the hire car to Corsica or other islands?
Most suppliers allow ferry travel to Corsica and other French islands, but you must inform them in advance. Some vehicle categories may be excluded. Check your voucher or ask at the desk. Porquerolles is car-free, so you leave the car on the mainland and take the ferry as a foot passenger.
Is Toulon walkable without a car?
Yes, the harbour area and old town are compact and best explored on foot. The cable car to Mont Faron is a highlight. A car is only needed for trips outside the city — to the beaches, the islands, Marseille, or the interior.
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