Chalucet Eco-district
Creativity and knowledge districtAt the crossroads
Inaugurated in 2020, the Chalucet district – built on the former hospital site of the same name – stands out in the heart of the upper town, between the train station and Place de la Liberté. The fruit of urban redevelopment, this living space dedicated to knowledge and creativity brings together the Alexandre 1er botanical garden, renowned schools, an ultra-modern media library, a former chapel turned exhibition space, a business incubator and housing. Immerse yourself in this timeless hybrid space, which fits perfectly into a sustainable urban environment.
5 good reasons to come to the Chalucet eco-neighborhood
- Strolling through the Alexander I Garden in all seasons
- Picnic on the lawns or at one of the garden tables
- See an exhibition at the chapel
- Study in an ideal creative environment
- Relax on the terrace of the cultural café
A stroll through the Alexander I garden
Accessible from boulevard Maréchal Leclerc, rue Chalucet and avenue Lazare Carnot, the Jardin de la Ville – a former royal botanical garden – welcomes you to the Chalucet site, where you’ll find Mediterranean species, aquatic plants and medicinal plants, in an atmosphere conducive to strolling and relaxation. A veritable haven of peace and greenery in the heart of the Haussmann-style city, take time to stroll along the alleys lined with ponds and soothing water staircases. Along the way, pause near the art deco bandstand and observe nature as it changes with the seasons: banana trees, Japanese privet, palm trees, orange trees and water lilies inspire an exotic reverie.
Our advice
Children’s games, picnic tables, plant description panels, children’s and young people’s sections at the media library: the Chalucet district is ideal for families. All year round, take part in a wide range of activities and events for young audiences: reading, art, philosophy, digital and science workshops led by authors, publishers, artists and librarians.
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Between past and present
In the garden, at the back of the stage, you can see the few steps that separate you from the mineral forecourt of the chapel and media library. The neoclassical facade of one contrasts with the resolutely contemporary wing of the other, in its extension. On the terrace of the cultural café, students chat, read or take a break in the sun, while visitors enjoy a moment of relaxation as they contemplate the tree-lined avenues in perspective.
As you enter the media library, you’re struck by the soft light and spaciousness of the calm setting. With a clever blend of movement and symmetry, glass walls and white concrete staircases invite you to explore the floors, which open onto wide spaces and reading alcoves. The main workroom, with its preserved beamed ceiling, is the perfect place to mingle in the hushed, studious atmosphere. Nearby, in contrast, a room dedicated to video games sits alongside a space where comic book fans are engrossed in their reading. After a detour to the chapel where the current exhibition is on show, you leave this bubble of serenity to join the hustle and bustle of the city.
Creative incubator
Also known as the “quartier de la créativité et de la connaissance”, Chalucet is entirely designed around student well-being. It’s a living space dedicated to the transmission of knowledge, where the École Supérieure d’Art et de Design, the Kedge business school and the Camondo Méditerranée international school of architecture rub shoulders, as well as a business incubator dedicated to the development of technologies. Student life here is gentle: on the terrace of the cultural café, in the shade of the chestnut trees in the garden or among the 70,000 references in the media library, Chalucet is the city’s cultural epicenter, in the heart of a rare and preserved natural environment.
Focus on
the historic center and museums
Around the port and through its monuments, squares and fountains, Toulon’s historic center is an open-air journey back in time. From the old town to the Haussmann district, immerse yourself in a city of many identities.
Witnesses to the past or centers of contemporary art, the city’s museums offer a fascinating cultural journey: explore a variety of structures whose artistic standards go hand in hand with accessibility for the greatest number.
How to get to the Chalucet district
From the east or west entrances to the town, take the “Centre-ville” direction to boulevard Maréchal Leclerc. The Chalucet eco-district is accessible via its southern entrance on the same boulevard Maréchal Leclerc, its eastern entrance via rue Chalucet and its western entrance via avenue Lazare Carnot. It’s a 2-minute walk from the SNCF train and bus stations.
By bus, the Péri Observatoire stop, located in front of the main entrance to the Jardin Chalucet, is served by numerous Réseau Mistral lines. The Liberté stop, just a few minutes’ walk away on the same boulevard, is also a convenient stop for getting to Chalucet.