At times it seemed as if one of the giant cruise ships docked in the harbor in front of the Stade Mayol was plunging the Harlequins underwater. They sank like miniature sailing boats when faced with Toulon's heavyweights.
This famous stadium on the Mediterranean coast can present dangerous waters for visiting teams and Quins were the latest victim. It is increasingly clear that English clubs, with their shrinking budgets, do not have the physical capacity to take on France's best.
Marcus Smith tried to fend off Toulon's international team, but the visitors were defeated. They must now beat top-flight Glasgow in the final group game to advance to the European knockout stages.
After a few years of lethargy, Toulon is trying to return to its glory days. Players walked down the hall of fame as they entered, passing over Hollywood-style tiles emblazoned with the names of Jonny Wilkinson and Co.
Captained by former England international David Ribbans, Toulon dominated the clashes from the first play. Kyle Sinckler had the ball in his hands, as did Lewis Ludlam, as the expatriates continued the proud English success story in the club's colours.
The likes of Sinckler, Ribbans and Ludlam may not have been sure starters for Steve Borthwick, but this offered a stark reminder of the strength in depth that has been lost to the power of the French chequebook.
Harlequins must now beat high-flying Glasgow in the final group game to progress to the European knockout stage.
It is increasingly clear that English clubs, with their shrinking budgets, do not have the physique to take on France's best.
With just three minutes on the clock, Toulon were ahead. They claimed Smith's short kick-off and went on a run, making an attacking lineout that ended with a try for Gianmarco Lucchesi. Roar by flares, drums and glorious tribalism.
Quins tried to stop the flow with their instinctive running game: scoring penalties and rejecting three-pointers. Toulon averaged 34 minutes of ball-in-play time in the Top 14 and Smith tried to outdo them by keeping the ball alive, taking the tally to 43 minutes.
However, the French were ready and waiting. They anticipated Quins' attacks on the flanks and stalked them with turnovers and counter-rucks in the wide channels. They outmaneuvered them in the collision area, winning early penalties, leaving Quins with nothing to show for dominating possession in the first half.
“There is a level of physicality in the Top 14 that is slightly different to the Premiership and we wanted to show that,” Ribbans said. 'Physically speaking, it's definitely a step forward.
“When you look at the teams you face every week here, they are full of international players, whether they are from the Pacific Islands or French internationals in a team like Toulouse or Bordeaux. Even ourselves, we are full of English and French internationals .We are lucky to be able to do that.
“When you train with that and play against that every weekend, you reach a different physical level.”
The French power was endowed with quick wits. Antoine Dupont is the king of French number 9s, but he has a world-class cast of substitutes. Baptiste Serin showed his international class, fooling the Quins defense with a dummy in the ruck, diving to score as their heads turned.
When James Chisholm hit Serin's throat with his forearm, Quins spent 10 minutes playing with 14 men. The yellow card cost him 12 points. Attacking from their dominant lineout, Esteban Abadie and Jiuta Wainiqolo scored quick tries to secure the extra point before half-time. An injury to Sinckler didn't stop the momentum.
James Chisholm's yellow card proved damaging, with 14-man Quins conceding 12 points
Gael Drean scored a barnstorming try to end any hopes of a late Harlequins comeback in France.
The second half began in a similar way, with Alex Dombrandt sent back by his rival. If one image summed up this meeting, it was that one. Tyrone Green spilled the ball on the tackle and then Dombrandt blasted into touch when he could have dropped to score.
Finally, with 51 minutes on the clock, Chisholm and Will Porter combined for a counterattack attempt. The visitors enjoyed a 10-minute purple spell as fatigue took its toll on the Toulon defence, with Jack Walker scoring from a line-out.
However, the resurgence quickly faded when Toulon turned the power back on. They went on strong, making the Quins defense look like butter, as Gael Drean scored a sweeping try. Nick David's try for Harlequins on the final play was of little use as Quins chased a lost cause.