Le Mourillon: Toulon’s cool, beachy quarter with year-round sunshine

South of the city centre, Le Mourillon is Toulon’s characterful, unpretentious seaside quarter. Once a fishing village, it now hosts little shops selling Provençal produce such as huge garlic bulbs and vividly coloured tomatoes, alongside lively bars and restaurants.

The hilly, narrow streets wind down to the shore; Toulon is widely recognised as the second sunniest city in France, so blue skies and sunshine are a frequent backdrop. The clear, azure sea sparkles and the beaches are lined with restaurants and date palms, while cruise ships remain visible only in the distance among sailing boats and fishing vessels.

Eating and drinking are central to life here, especially on Sundays when many shops close. Restaurants celebrate Mediterranean ingredients: AOC 41 serves seasonal dishes such as confit beef open ravioli with sand-grown carrots and bourguignon jus whipped with bone marrow (starters from €12, mains from €26).

France, Toulon

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