Eglise Saint-Francois de Paule (Church of Saint Francis of Paula), Toulon

The Church of Saint Francis of Paula in Toulon stands on the site of the former royal castle, and was originally built in 1744 as a chapel for the adjacent Recollect convent. Its design is heavily influenced by Roman and Piedmontese Baroque architecture, featuring a modest nave and side chapels. One of its most distinctive elements is the curved and counter-curved façade, a hallmark of Western Provençal religious architecture of the time. Inside, the church houses an exquisite high altar from the 18th century, crafted from polychrome marble, along with several painted panels and religious objects classified as Historic Monuments.

During the French Revolution, the church underwent significant transformations, serving as the Jacobin Club headquarters, a decadal temple, an ammunition depot, and later a cooper's warehouse. In 1803, after the upheaval of the Revolution, the building was restored for religious use and officially became a parish church, renamed at the request of the parishioners. The church suffered heavy damage during World War II, leading to a gradual restoration effort that culminated in its reopening for worship in 1967.

Further extensive restoration work took place between 1992 and 1994, ensuring the preservation of its historic ceiling, gallery, and ornate decorations. The church’s unique flat ceiling and surrounding balustraded gallery, which extends across three sides of the interior, set it apart from other Baroque churches in the region.