FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Toulon/Hyères

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Toulon each year.
The main ones are listed below.

On the first of May, it is customary to offer a sprig of lily-of-the-valley to close ones. Many vendors occupy the pavement on that occasion!

Commemorates the Allied victory in Europe that ended World War II on this day in 1945. Various ceremonies are held around town.

This holiday celebrates both the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the key event marking the beginning of the French Revolution, and the end of the privileges enjoyed by the clergy and the aristocracy. In Toulon, celebrations include a military parade down the Boulevard de Strasbourg, followed by a fireworks display set off from the bay and a huge dance party on the Place de la Liberté.

This celebration, still very popular in Toulon, is marked by religious ceremonies. Also on this day every year, the second major fireworks display of the summer is set off from Le Mourillon's beaches.

Commemorating the liberation of Toulon on this day in 1944, a procession makes its way through the city streets to the monument to war dead, where a wreath is laid in memory of Jean Moulin and Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny and the mayor delivers a speech.

The aim of the European Heritage Days is to open up numerous sites and monuments, many of which are normally closed to the public. A great opportunity for a lovely stroll through the city to admire architectural treasures!

On this day, French citizens gather at war memorials to commemorate the signing of the 1918 Armistice officially bringing an end to the First World War.

During the holiday season, the Place de la Liberté is transformed into a wonderland of wooden stalls, pine trees and Christmas decorations. A delight for visitors of all ages!

On the night of December 31^st, the atmosphere is particularly festive on the streets of Toulon, with families and friends celebrating the new year.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Toulon/Hyères

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	6/43	13/55	83/3.3	Not the best period to go
February	6/43	13/55	70/2.8	Not the best period to go
March	8/46	16/61	49/1.9	Not the best period to go
April	10/50	18/64	66/2.6	Not the best period to go
May	14/57	22/72	43/1.7	Not the best period to go
June	17/63	26/79	29/1.1	Good period to go
July	20/68	30/86	7/0.3	Good period to go
August	20/68	30/86	30/1.2	Good period to go
September	17/63	26/79	56/2.2	Good period to go
October	14/57	21/70	108/4.3	Not the best period to go
November	10/50	16/61	73/2.9	Not the best period to go
December	7/45	13/55	71/2.8	Not the best period to go

Toulon-Hyères Airport

The Toulon-Hyères Airport is located about 19 kilometres (12 miles) east of Toulon and 3 kilometres (2 miles) south-east of Hyères.

• One terminal for both international and domestic flights

• By car
  • Accessible via the A570 motorway, about 30 minutes to the city centre.
  • There are several short- and long-term parking facilities available (first 15 minutes are free, then EUR 3.40 for 1 hour, EUR 10 for 24 hours).
  • Several car rental companies have counters at the airport.
• By bus
  • Mistral operates buses connecting the airport with the city centres of Hyères (about 10 minutes) and Toulon (about 30 minutes). Tickets cost EUR 1.40 each way.
  • Varlib operates buses connecting the airport with Saint-Tropez via La Londe, Bormes, La Mole and Cogolin. Tickets cost EUR 3 each way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks just outside the arrivals hall. The fare to central Hyères is about EUR 20 and EUR 50 to Central Toulon (daylight hours).

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 00 83 83
• Website: www.toulon-hyeres.aeroport.fr/en

GETTING AROUND Toulon/Hyères

The best options for getting around Toulon are public transport and rental cars.

By bike

Over 300 kilometres of roads, 53 kilometres have been fitted with bike paths and lanes. Moreover, the city offers 165 mixed racks (for both cycles and motorbikes), for a total of 1,200 spots. Various bike rental agencies are available around the city centre (EUR 15 for 1 hour or EUR 30 for 1 day).

By car

Cars are a convenient way to get around Toulon. The city offers nearly 2,300 free parking spaces near the centre, plus a dozen enclosed commercial parking garages (between EUR 0.30 and 0.50 per 15 minutes). Numerous rental agencies are located near the airport and in the city centre (from EUR 10 per day).

By bus and boat

Réseau Mistral is the largest bus/boat public transport network in France. With 64 bus lines and 3 maritime lines, it serves 12 municipalities within the Toulon-Provence-Méditerranée metropolitan area. Each year, the system is used by nearly 30 million passengers.
Fares:

• EUR 1.40 for a single ticket
• EUR 10.00 for a magnetic card loaded with 10 tickets, each valid for a single ride on a bus or boat
• EUR 3.90 for a 1-day pass offering unlimited rides on buses or boats

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Toulon, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organize your stay.

Offers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc).

• Address: 12, place Louis Blanc, 83000 Toulon
• Telephone: +33 (0)4 94 18 53 00
• Website: https://toulontourisme.com/en/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in France is the Euro (EUR).

HKD 1 = EUR 0.12

EUR 1 = HKD 8.33

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Toulon counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to France. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination

• Address: 38, quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

There are no specific food safety risks. French government authorities promote good hygiene practices and put in place strengthened control procedures for sites especially frequented by tourists during the summer months.

Tap water is safe to drink in Toulon.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for France

As a general rule, a visa is required to enter France. Foreign nationals in the two categories listed below are not required to carry a visa for stays of 90 days or less:

• Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or the Swiss Confederation
• Citizens or nationals of certain foreign countries. For stays of more than 90 days, a long-stay visa is required.

Travellers from all other countries must be in possession of a visa, regardless of the length of their stay. Visa applications must be submitted to the nearest French Embassy or French Consulate in the country of permanent residence well in advance of departure. For further information, visit the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/getting-a-visa/

Useful addresses

Directory of foreign embassies and consulates in France

Contact information for the embassies and consulates of your country is accessible in the directory of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/le-ministere-et-son-reseau/annuaires-des-ambassades-et-consulats-etrangers-en-france

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Toulon, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+33

+ phone number (without 0)

-7 : 00
of time difference with
Hong Kong

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March

End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

Banks
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Government Offices
Usually open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Toulon like elsewhere in France, a service charge is always included in the bill. If you are particularly pleased with the service, you may certainly leave a few extra euros on the table. But this additional tip is neither expected nor necessary.