Harbour

Toulon Darse Nord

3.6Toulon, FranceVar

Maximum length: 59 ft
VHF channel: 9
Maximum draught: 29 ft

Marina of 372 berths along the northern quay of the port of Toulon, directly in front of the old town and the Carré du Port.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach through the main pass of Toulon between Saint-Mandrier and the Grosse Tour, then follow the Petite Rade north to the quays. No tidal constraints, maximum draught 9 m. The wash of the Corsica and Sardinia ferries and the harbour shuttles keeps the basin moving through the day, easing once the shuttles stop at night; offset masts from those of neighbours to avoid rig contact. In mistral gusts the lazy lines can foul the propeller while picking up the berth. No fuel berth, the nearest pump is a road station. VHF 9.

Practical

372 berths with water and shore power. Darse Nord is above all a careening and repair yard, so services on the quay are limited: one fish restaurant, a chandler and no bar. Provisioning is in a nearby street and at the Mayol shopping centre, with the Cours Lafayette market in the old town just behind the quay, open every morning except Monday. Black water pump-out is not easy and boats are sent to Saint-Mandrier. Vieille Darse lies 0.2 NM north, Saint-Louis du Mourillon 0.5 NM south.

History

Toulon has been the main French Mediterranean naval base since Richelieu reinforced it in the 1630s and Vauban redrew its fortifications from 1680. The bombardment of 1944 destroyed much of the quayside, and the scuttling of the French fleet in November 1942 took place in this bay.