L’Eautel Toulon Port – 4*

REGION : Toulon – Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
ATMOSPHERE : Seaside
STYLE : Sunny stayover
CATEGORY : 4*
ROOMS : 62 rooms

Delightful eyeful

Want to cast off? To cruise under a bright sky? Head south to Toulon, in France’s Var region, to embark at L’Eautel. Opening on to “the most beautiful harbor in Europe,” according to Vauban, this 4* flagship hotel is located between the naval base and the merchant port, close to the Navy’s national museum.

MARITIME SPIRIT ASIDE, THE ADDRESS IS WELL GROUNDED, bringing together Victor-Micholet street’s 17th century buildings N°13, 15 and 17 in the heart of a widely rehabilitated Arts district. Inside: 62 rooms in multiple shades of blue. Long-haul captains or day boaters sail through the five categories of rooms, suites, and dormitories (skipper, upper deck, sun deck, large yacht, crew) enjoying a refreshing decor based on graphic waves, oars, ropes, pulleys, boat beds and references to ship cabins.

On the lower level, the reception is housed in a white and mahogany trawler, while Yoann Silve’s restaurant, L’Équerre, is located in the former Navy officers’ mess, under a 19th century glass roof attributed to the Ateliers Eiffel. The air is filled with the scent of vacation and coasting and an iodized, relaxed chic.

UPSTAIRS, go to the lookout and discover an amazing roof-top with a swimming pool. From there, enjoy the view overseeing the orange roofs of the old town as well as on the Mount Faron, then let yourself be lulled by the sea spray and the scent of the open ocean.

The ideal spot to lift anchor and drop stress.

To do

• Order a Flibustier (rum, yellow lemon, pineapple, homemade tonka bean syrup), a Captain Hook (vermouth, amarena-infused gin, red Lillet, smoked rosemary) or another signature cocktail with maritime influences
• Savor the seasonal cuisine of l’Équerre (octopus, bonito, sunny vegetables…)
• Take a sunbath and then splash around on the rooftops by reserving a time slot (Covid protocols) on the terrace deck with pool and solarium
• Book a Californian massage or a facial

The surrounding area

• Stroll around the hotel and in the Arts district, home to galleries, designer boutiques, concept stores and cafés
• Tour the beaches (Mourillon, Mitre, Pipady, Anse Magaud, Cap Brun cove…)
• Walk around Toulon’s historical center to discover the old town and its Provencal markets
• Exhibitions at the National Museum of the Navy, the Toulon Arsenal Memorial; the Toulon Art Museum, the Villa Noailles, or the Carmignac Foundation of Porquerolles…
• Evenings at the Liberté Theater, the Colbert Theater, the Toulon Opera House, and the Mayol Stadium to cheer on the Toulon Rugby Club with the locals
• Coastal navigations from island to island, from Porquerolles to Port Cros, passing by Bendor island or Embiez island
• Walks (Mont Faron, Mont Caume, Domaine de Fabrégas, sentier du Littoral, massif de l’Esterel…)
• Take a tour of the plant world at the Domaine de Rayol
• Water activities: diving, sailing, paddle, canoeing, boating…