Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur Chateaux and Castles

• Toulon harbour
  
  Toulon's history is foremost based on its harbour and military activities.The town thus developed thanks to its arsenal since the Navy developed its fleet. In the XVIth century Colbert decided Toulon would become a war port. This lead to the destruction of a part of the city later on, during the Second World War. Legacies from the past are still numerous:
  
  The Saint-Louis Fort (XVIIIth c.), defensive structure of the harbour.
  
  The Tour Royale (XVIth c.), with a naval museum.
  
  The Napoléon Fort, a square reinforced fort and blockhouse
  
  Some other fortresses are now by the Navy.
• Citadel of Saint-Tropez
  
  It does protect the gulf and dominates the town. Its fortifications facing the sea, it was erected in 16th century. Today there is a naval museum inside the citadel and during Summer prestigious musical festivals are held there. The top of the building boasts a gorgeous view on the gulf. This monument is little-known by tourists but is really worth a visit.

Citadel of Saint Tropez

• Château d'If
  
  This castle was fortified by francois I, and then converted into a state prison in 1624. Alexandre Dumas used totalk about it in its novels as "The Count of Monte Cristo" for instance, thus the building is now famous. You have to take a boat to visit it but it is definitely a pleasant 15-minute crossing.