Toulon (Tolon in Provençal) is a city in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur région, Toulon is the préfecture (capital) of the Var département, in the former province of Provence. Population of the city (commune) at the 1999 census was 160,639 inhabitants (168,200 inhabitants as of February 2004 estimates). Population of the whole metropolitan area (in French: aire urbaine) at the 1999 census was 564,823 inhabitants.

The current mayor of Toulon is Hubert Falco.

Military role

The military harbor was fortified by Vauban.

Battle of Toulon, 1744

After the Allied landings in North Africa (Operation Torch) the German Army occupied southern France, leading to the scuttling of the French Fleet at Toulon 27 November 1942.

Today, Toulon is the country's major naval centre on its Mediterreanean coast. The French Mediterranean Fleet is based in Toulon.

Culture

Cuverville is Toulon's satirical paper, from the nickname of a statue standing on Toulon harbor looking at the sea (cul vers ville = "ass to the city").

Yaquoi is Toulon's cultural webzine.

Miscellaneous

Toulon was the birthplace of:

• Jean Joseph Marie Amiot, Jesuit
• Capucine, actress
• Félix Mayol, singer and entertainer
• Raimu, actor