Toulon Defense Event: a trade show that breaks the rules
On April 23, 2026 , from 9am to 5pm, the Palais des Sports in Toulon undergoes a transformation. For one day, it becomes a real meeting point for candidates and recruiters, entirely dedicated to public defense and security professions.
Partner of the Navy’s 400th anniversary, the Toulon Defense Event is now a major event in the South Region . Supported by France Travail, the CIRFA, and the entire Employment Network, it has a clear objective: make opportunities visible, accessible, and concrete for all audiences.
“ The defense sector now offers solid professional prospects, accessible at all qualification levels. Our goal is to inspire new vocations, make these opportunities visible and concrete for all audiences ,” emphasizes Angélique Ricordel-Papin, Departmental Director of France Travail Var.
Young people, students, job seekers, or people in transition : every year, several thousand visitors come to seek a path, an opportunity, sometimes a click.
This edition promises to be particularly impactful, with the presence of prominent figures such as Jean-Pierre Farandou, Minister of Labor and Solidarity, Thibaut Guilluy, CEO of France Travail, and Pascal Blain, Regional Director and National Defense Referee. A strong commitment, commensurate with the strategic challenges of the sector.
Concrete and Immediate Opportunities
The Toulon Defense Event features over 5,000 job offers to be filled at the local and regional level, with close to 4,000 expected participants and an equal number of on-site interviews. A unique dynamic to swiftly transition from meeting to employment.
With 200 represented professions , the trade show caters to all profiles, from unskilled workers to those with a Bachelor’s degree. The armed forces recruit young people aged 17 to 30 , while civilian defense professions are open to all ages in diverse areas such as operations, technical, health, administrative, and catering.
But the experience goes beyond recruitment. Over 3,000 square meters of exhibition space , visitors and candidates can explore military equipment and vehicles up close, from the Caesar truck to defense systems.
Throughout the day, demonstrations and activities punctuate the visit: flight and air combat simulators, underwater listening table, drone demonstrations, canine teams, health trails, penitentiary extraction demonstration, trial courses, and naval action force simulators.
“ We are fully mobilized with all the partners of the Employment Network to showcase opportunities, stimulate engagement, and support paths towards sustainable employment. This event is a direct gateway to employment ,” the director emphasizes.
The Var Region at the Heart of French Defense Issues
The choice of Toulon as the host for this event is not by chance. Here, defense is more than just a sector: it is a structuring pillar of the region.
As the leading military department in France , Var is home to the largest military port in Europe and the main naval defense base in the Mediterranean. Toulon alone accounts for nearly 40% of the Navy’s personnel. A unique anchor that also makes it the top industrial site in the department.
With 31,000 direct jobs, 13,000 indirect jobs, and close to 2,500 companies linked to the Armed Forces, the defense sector has a lasting impact on the local economy. And the momentum is not slowing down: by 2030, sector jobs could grow by 67%.
In a demanding international context, the stakes are high: sovereignty, innovation, skill renewal… Recruitment needs, both military and civilian, have never been stronger.
Therefore, participating in the Toulon Defense Event is fully engaging in this dynamic. Beyond recruitment, it carries a clear ambition: to support full employment, promote meaningful professions, and strengthen an excellent sector in service of the region.
“ Our priority for 2026 is clear: to make the defense sector a true driver of integration and economic development for the Var ,” concludes the director.
Information Toulon Defense Event :
April 23, 2026
Free Entry
from 9am to 5pm
Palais des Sports of Toulon
