Var

The Var department is located in southeastern France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, on the Mediterranean coast, with its capital in Toulon, the main base of the French Navy in the Mediterranean. The department contains an important stretch of the Côte d'Azur coastline (Saint-Tropez, Hyères) as well as forested inland mountains such as the Massif des Maures. Its economy blends luxury coastal tourism, naval-military industries and agriculture (Provence wine vineyards). The sunny Mediterranean climate and beautiful coastline have driven the cost of living very high in many of the department's coastal areas.

Toulon, Hyères, Draguignan

• Université de Toulon - The region's main university, with programs in law, economics, science, marine studies, sports and more.

Toulon and the coastal towns are busy during the tourist season; pickpockets are a concern in central and touristy neighborhoods. Residential neighborhoods away from the center are generally quieter for student life.

TER trains and some TGVs connect Toulon to Marseille, Nice and Paris. The Mistral bus network operates in Toulon, and Zou! buses serve the wider region.