The boulevard Cunéo and the Frédéric-Mistral coastline underwent a radical transformation this Sunday, October 4th. Cars gave way to bicycles, scooters, families, and strollers, allowing residents to reclaim the roadway usually reserved for traffic. Between the Polygone and Appel du 18-Juin-1940 roundabouts, the road took on a new face.
From 9 AM to 5 PM, this initiative, named 'Dimanche en roue libre' and organized by the City of Toulon, converted 1.5 kilometers of asphalt into a vast space for strolling and leisure. The stated goal was to allow residents to rediscover their seaside, away from the usual pace of car traffic. The roadway thus became a playground, marked by four thematic villages dedicated to mobility, health, family, and sport.
The unique aspect of this day was its accessibility: no specific activity was required to enjoy it. Simply cycling, scootering, rollerblading, or strolling was enough to rediscover the coastline from a different perspective.
This initiative, realized by the municipal team led by Josée Massi, Mayor of Toulon, fulfills a campaign commitment to temporarily return a space traditionally dedicated to car traffic to the residents. For eight hours, pedestrians and cyclists occupied the roadway, offering Toulon's inhabitants a simple yet unusual experience: walking in the middle of the road, cycling facing the sea, and letting children run freely away from the noise of cars.
At 5 PM, traffic resumed its normal course. However, this Sunday allowed Toulon's residents a glimpse of what a city could be like when the road is not just for passing through, but also for stopping, strolling, playing, and running. This first event was a popular success, suggesting that more editions are to come.
