France is preparing for a new aircraft carrier, larger than the Charles de Gaulle, with major infrastructure upgrades in Toulon.
Future French carrier needs larger port
The future aircraft carrier of the French Navy will be much larger than the current Charles de Gaulle, requiring significant upgrades to its home port in Toulon to handle its size and weight. Toulon base expands for new carrier
According to Nice-Matin, the Toulon naval base is preparing for the arrival of the new carrier starting in 2035, which will involve creating a fourth access point on the La Seyne-sur-Mer side to accommodate the vessel’s massive dimensions. Carrier built in Saint-Nazaire
The new aircraft carrier will be assembled at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire before being transported to Toulon in early 2035, where it will undergo outfitting and preparation until 2038. Logistics base in La Seyne-sur-Mer
La Seyne-sur-Mer will serve as a logistics hub for the carrier project, housing teams and equipment transported by sea, and will include new infrastructure to support the construction and maintenance efforts. New access point planned for 2029
A bridge will connect the commercial port of Brégaillon to the naval base, with construction starting in early 2027 and the access point expected to open in 2029, designed similarly to the Castigneau gate with additional facilities for security and operations.
