OLD CITY

Rue d'Alger. This winding thoroughfare is undoubtedly Toulon's most famous. Descending from Place Puget to the port, it is home to a thousand shops of all kinds: the big names in fashion, small, inexpensive boutiques, jewelers and more. It's criss-crossed by a multitude of little pedestrian lanes, squares and crossings to get from one street to the next: you'll love getting lost here! It ends at the port, opposite the Gare Maritime, where water buses serve the ports of Saint-Mandrier, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Les Sablettes and Tamaris. Just a stone's throw to your left, discover Louis Daumas' splendid bronze sculpture of the Génie de la Navigation.

Downtown pedestrian squares. Place Puget, home to the Trois-Dauphins fountain (by sculptor Chastel), which is so covered in moss that you'll have trouble guessing which are the famous dolphins! Place Saint-Vincent and its ^17th-century fountain. Place à l'Huile and the Maison des Têtes, adorned with twenty-seven faces with different expressions. In Place Raimu, a set of bronze statues depicts the famous card game in Marcel Pagnol's César, with Raimu playing himself.

Cours Lafayette. Cours Lafayette, entirely pedestrianized, was nicknamed "le pavé d'amour" ("the love pavement") because couples used to come here to chat. From Tuesday to Sunday, it hosts one of Provence's most famous markets, which inspired Toulon-born Gilbert Bécaud to write one of his most famous songs. Here you'll find cafés, restaurants and stores of all kinds. On rue Paul Lendrin, nicknamed "le petit cours", you'll find the best cade in town at Cademan, aptly named! At the bottom of the cours, at the corner of rue de la République, admire the baroque architecture of the church of Saint-François de Paule, whose foundation stone was laid in 1744.

Rue Pierre Sémard, also known as "Rue des arts". The wind of art is now blowing down Rue Pierre Sémard! Inaugurated in early 2017, this major thoroughfare in the old town has taken on a whole new look. Art galleries and artists' studios-boutiques have taken possession of the premises: this little corner of the heart of Toulon has regained its letters of nobility by becoming a major cultural hub.

The adjoiningPlace de l'Equerre has also undergone a facelift: since 2017, it has been home to an attractive array of cafés, bars, boutiques and conceptual restaurants. It is also a regular venue for cultural and musical events. In summer, it's ideal for a refreshing aperitif at the end of the day!