Toulon: ups and downs

[Abigail]

We have secured a winter berth in the Darse Vieille in Toulon, after considerable hunting. We have to tie up now rather than October, which has narrowed our choices. They are charging 999 euros for the three months Oct-Dec, which is substantially cheaper than anywhere we found east of here, and also than many places to the west.

There do seem to be places here still so if forum members are still looking, it's definitely worth enquiring. They did send the paperwork by email and they did take a reservation on the phone. Some (French) boats are just turning up and getting a winter berth. You have to promise not to stay more than 9 months.

Ups: money, accessibility, good provisioning, proper (ie not solely tourist) place
Downs: the ablutions block is beyond words, the filthiest we've ever seen. Security not brilliant in theory though nobody French seems worried. The water is mucky.

People warned us about ferry wash but despite being pretty exposed to them we have not found it a problem.

Our current challenge is to find various services -eg sail cleaning, chain galvanising. Does anyone know of such services here? They must exist (second biggest navy base in France) but the capitainerie and chandleries deny all knowledge of such things! Any suggestions from the accumulated wisdom of the Forum?

 

[lindsay]

If you want a more glam place for the following 3 months try St Tropez. Used to have very reasonable rates in winter, although from April 1 becomes pricy. I spent a winter there, which was fine, although it is a bit cut off.

How about just across the way to St Mandrier?

 

[Abigail]

Hi - for us the usefunesses outweigh the dowsides, but not necessarily for everyone. Given the pressure on winter berths, and the nnumber of people on these boards asking about places in SoF, we wanted to tell people that there do seem to be berths here. We have found soltuions to many of our 'service' needs such as sail cleaning, that we can't do ourselves.

 

[LadyJessie]

This is in response to your need of services, sailmakers, chains, etc; they are all in the Gulf of St Tropez. Not that far away and you will find most of them in the village of Cogolin.

 

[bobupanddown]

We have our boat in the Quo Vadis yard on the far side of Toulon harbour near La Seyne Sur Mer. There are various boat yards/chandleries and repair yards whom I'm sure could help in the local area. You need to speak good French as most of the locals do not speak much English. (ferry goes from the main Toulon Quay over to the yards and La Seyne sur Mer costs 2 euros each way). If you need and further info please feel free to PM me

 

[bbg]

Can't help with specifics, but as you will undoubtedly know there are many marinas in the area - the Quo Vadis one referred to by another poster, there is one at St Mandrier, and one on the eastern side of the small strip of land that leads to the "presqu-ile" of St Mandrier. They should be able to point you in the right direction, and all of them are just a short and cheap ferry ride away from Toulon.