Musee National de la Marine
Opened promptly at 10am so we had plenty of time to explore inside. The museum is located in the middle of an active French naval base, a little unusual, so pictures of the museum exterior could not include other buildings in the area.
National Maritime Museum
The museum is in a single, two-storied building and covers the development and growth of Toulon as well as the French Navy. Cannons, models of ships, artifacts from wrecks and scuttled ships in the harbor are located on the first floor, while exhibits showing how France’s modern Navy tracks and maintains safety in their oceans is located on the second floor. Pretty interesting. The ship models range from small, desk top versions, to massive 1/10 scale used for officer instruction and shipbuilding. There’s even a model of France’s 10th nuclear aircraft carrier, the Charles-De-Gaulle. This carrier was launched in 2001 and has 40 fighter aircraft and 2,000 sailors onboard. It is stationed here in Toulon. Just happens to be docked in the bay next to our apartment!
Cannon from the 12th century on
Aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle model
Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier
The real Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier located in the bay by our apartment
Scale model used for officer training and ship building
Stern carvings
Still a little time to kill so how about lunch. Restaurants are beginning to open so we found one on a nice small square with an unusual fountain in front. The fountain has two trees growing out of the top of it, and a small water pool surrounding the bottom.
We also came across a sculpture of a ship connected to an apartment building. This sculpture by Louis-Joseph Daumas is anchored against the façade of a building and is a replica of the bow of the frigate “La Flore”. It is 33’ long, 33’ wide, and 33’ tall, and has the figurehead of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea.
A little more time to explore the city before heading to the apartment so here are a few pics of fine French architecture.
Matilde the Chocolatier
Custom olive oils
Street art
Opera House (front)
Opera House (Back)
Time to check in to the apartment, finally. Patrice met us in the parking lot, had to have a place with parking, and showed us up to the apartment. Located on the 8th floor, with a lift, the apartment has views of the marina, and the aircraft carrier, the Charles-De-Gaulle. Nice two bedroom, two bath, full kitchen, living / dining room, no unusual functioning items in the bathrooms!
Master bedroom
Second bedroom
Kitchen
Living / dining room
Ferry leaving the bay by our apartment
Marina view from the apartment
This is our final apartment of the journey. We’re here until 7 November when we leave for Lyon to return the rental car. Time has certainly gone by fast. Still a few cities to see this week so more to follow.
Cheers