travel
‘Year-round sunshine practically guaranteed’: Le Mourillon is Toulon’s cool, beachy quarter
Come for the sun; stay for the seafood, jazz festival, galleries and coastal walking in this laid-back village within a city
TL;DR
- Le Mourillon is a characterful and unpretentious seaside quarter in Toulon, formerly a fishing village.
- It features little shops selling Provençal produce, lively bars, restaurants, and four human-made beaches.
- Toulon is the second sunniest city in France, offering year-round sunshine and blue skies.
- The area is known for its Mediterranean cuisine, with restaurants like AOC 41 and La Sorga.
- Activities include swimming in the Mediterranean, renting paddleboards or kayaks, and enjoying local life playing pétanque and beach volleyball.
- Historical sites include Fort Saint Louis and Saint-Flavien church.
- Cultural attractions include the Museum of Asian Art and galleries on Rue Lamalgue.
- Annual events include a jazz festival, Feast of Assumption fireworks, and La Fête de la Mer.
- Rue Lamalgue is the heart of Le Mourillon with independent boutiques and cafes, though many shops close for lunch and on Sundays/Mondays.
- Local produce can be bought from markets, artisan cheese shops, boucheries, greengrocers, and wine shops.
- Coastal paths offer scenic walks leading to hidden coves like Anse de Méjean and Plage de La Mitre.
- Accommodation options include Hôtel Les Voiles in Le Mourillon and L’Eautel in central Toulon.