Toulon sits in a deep natural harbour on the Var coast. Order a car from Zeus Prestige and it arrives at an old-town hotel, a house on the hillside or Toulon-Hyères Airport. A convertible suits the vineyards of Bandol, a sports car the ridge of the Sainte-Baume, and a prestige car the road along the shore.
The Romans called the settlement Telo Martius and prized its purple dye. Charles VIII began a military port here in 1494, Vauban fortified the town later, and in 1793 Napoleon served as an artillery captain during the siege. Today Toulon is the main French naval base on the Mediterranean and home to the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
About 179,000 people live in Toulon, the second-sunniest city in metropolitan France after Marseille. A daily Provençal market fills the Cours Lafayette in the old town, and Mont Faron rises behind the city at 584 metres, reached by cable car. A few kilometres from the harbour the roads turn away from the sea toward vineyards and forest.
Open the roof for this short loop. Mont Faron overlooks the harbour from 584 metres, with the cable car climbing the slope above the old town. Down at the water, the Mourillon neighbourhood offers sheltered beaches and Fort Saint-Louis. The bay spreads out below you, grey ships lie at anchor, and the breeze carries pine and salt. Stop for a swim and let the afternoon wind down.
Cruise west to Bandol in comfort. The town was founded in 1595 around a small military fort. The Bandol appellation, recognised in 1941, covers eight communes of silica and limestone soils, and it is known for its red and rosé wines built on the Mourvèdre grape. Red Bandol must contain at least half Mourvèdre. The vineyards roll by outside the window, the leather is cool, and the cabin stays calm and hushed.
Sports cars come alive on the ridge between Toulon and Marseille. The Sainte-Baume rises to about 1,148 metres at the Joug de l'Aigle, the highest point in the Bouches-du-Rhône, and its forests of ancient beech and yew shelter the grotto where Provençal tradition says Mary Magdalene retreated. Louis IX visited the cave in 1254, and the Dominicans returned to manage the site in 1859. The bends tighten under the trees, your heart pounds as the road climbs, and cool forest air rushes through the vents.
Yes. An old-town hotel, a hillside villa or another address nearby is a fine handover point. Tell us the spot and your travel days; the rest is ours.
Yes. Toulon-Hyères Airport (TLN, ICAO LFTH) accepts deliveries, including at its private aviation terminal, so the car waits for you on arrival.
Open air suits Mont Faron, comfort suits the road to Bandol, and power suits the ridge of the Sainte-Baume.
Mont Faron rises to 584 metres above Toulon, and a cable car runs up the mountain from the city.
Yes. Marseille lies to the west, Saint-Tropez and Cannes follow to the east, and Aix-en-Provence sits inland.
Choose from our cabriolets, sports cars, prestige cars and SUVs, tell us where you are staying in Toulon, and the keys will be ready for your luxury car hire.