Toulon, Port city in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Toulon is a port city on the Mediterranean coast in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. The city sits between Marseille and Saint-Tropez, with Mount Faron rising 542 meters behind the center and offering wide views over the sea.
The Romans founded a military base called Telo Martius here in the 2nd century BC, taking advantage of the natural bay for protection. Over the centuries the place grew into the main naval base of France on the Mediterranean, shaped by shipbuilding and fortifications.
The name comes from the Latin word Telo, recalling early settlement of the bay by Mediterranean peoples. Fishing boats rest today between modern ferries in the old harbor, while residents gather for lunch in the sunny squares of the old town.
Toulon-Hyères Airport connects the city with destinations across Europe, while the train station offers regular services to Marseille and Nice. Visitors exploring the old town move best on foot through the narrow streets and squares near the harbor.
In November 1942, French naval officers scuttled their own fleet in the harbor to prevent German forces from seizing the ships. The remains of some of these wrecks still rest on the seabed today and draw divers from across Europe.
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