Notice of big beautiful on Toulon

May 22 2014

by Frédéric Maurice / TÊTU

To say thatToulon is not a gay and lesbian spot is a sweet euphemism. For a city of 600,000 souls, there are few signs displaying the rainbow flag. There are no LGBT associations, no dedicated center, no celebration of pacs in the town hall (except in the neighboring town of La Seyne-sur-Mer) or gay neighborhood.

The prefecture of Var is known for housing the arsenal, the first military port of France, but in the opinion of an unrepentant drag queen, " the promiscuous mousses are, alas, no longer a legend... We have lost a lot since the end of conscription. The army has become too professional. Military service should be reinstated ! ". Gone are the boy's brothels and the brothels of Chicago : the sultry harbor district has gone under.
The other object of fantasy for the tourist landing in Toulon is the Toulon Rugby Club, one of the leading clubs in the Top 14. Even if it plays in the Félix-Mayol stadium, named after a notoriously gay singer from the inter-war period, the RCT has unfortunately never been as gay-friendly as the Stade français...

Apart from Genet and Cocteau, who once came to seek inspiration on this side of the Mediterranean, the only gay reference in Toulon would be Jean-Claude Poulet-Dachary. But the brutal death of the former director of the mayor's office in 1995, whose homosexuality was revealed in broad daylight, takes us back to the dark years of Toulon. When, from 1995 to 2001, the National Front was in power.

" It was the culmination of thirty years of political decay and the expression of shame that the Toulon people did not need, as they suffered a lot during this period, " said Claude-Henri Bonnet. The only openly gay local figure, the director of the opera considers that with the municipality of former UMP Secretary of State Hubert Falco, of whom he is the deputy for culture, " the city is regaining its pride ". His opinion would be questionable if it were not so widely shared, especially in the gay community. toulon is improving," agrees Jean-Marie, a florist. We can't say that gays were persecuted under the FN. But the city had fallen into lethargy. There was a leaden blanket, which has cracked well. "

290 days of sunshine a year...
Traumatized by the cacophonous urbanism of the post-war period, which saw concrete bars spring up everywhere, Toulon is gradually renovating its streets and squares. Containing many architectural treasures and a string of fountains, its old town, which was thought to be doomed to destruction, is regaining its lustre. The rebirth of the Victor-Hugo square is the illustration.

Toulon © Alexandre Roche / Têtu

The " corridor city " has been breathing since the opening of one of the two tunnels that now prevents tens of thousands of cars from crossing it every day from east to west. Of course, just like the tramway project, which is slowing down, the construction site remains immense. " We've come a long way, " says Bonnet, who is multiplying initiatives to dust off the opera house.

The fact remains that gay life is lagging behind. If there are some commendable initiatives such as the naturist evenings ofMeet X, a cruising bar recently opened, Toulon has remained on the sidelines of the abundance ofaddresses and events that the two metropolises of the region,Marseille and especiallyNice, have known these last months, which tend to siphon the Toulon clientele.

However, the third largest city in the region has retained its assets. Backed by the majestic Mount Faron, the city has one of the most beautiful harbors in Europe and a remarkable coastline where several gay beaches are nestled. four hours by TGV fromParis, this affordable destination promises its visitors 290 days of sunshine per year. For all these reasons and others to discover for yourself, Toulon offers a " quality of life " that many gays praise.

Find all the gay and gay-friendly addresses in Toulon inthe Toulon gay guide

Main picture : Mourillon beach © Alexandre Roche / Têtu