What are the 10 best things to do in Toulouse France
Toulouse, the capital of Occitania region, is one of those cities that trap by his charm, his young and especially for its perfect balance of modern city full of history and atmosphere. Its streets have witnessed, among other events, the life and customs of the Cathars, as well as the fighters of anti-fascist resistance. Many are the corners to discover, and the little time that separates you with the high-speed trains of Renfe-SNCF in Cooperation, one of the most beautiful cities in the south of France.
Toulouse, also known as the Pink City, is the fourth most populous French city and one of the most important student centers in the country. It is currently one of the R & D and aeronautical referents and hosts the headquarters of the multinational company Airbus.
The cultural, architectural and gastronomic offer that it offers is varied and adapts to any visitor. By this we show you ten plans you have to do on your next visit to the Rose City … you sure you love!
Following are some of the best 10 things to do in Toulouse, France
1. VISIT THE MOST EMBLEMATIC BUILDINGS
The Convent of the Jacobins – Toulouse
The capital of Haute-Garonne has more than 2,000 years of history. Many are the civilizations that have occupied the region for centuries: from the Celts to the Cathars, passing by the Romans and the Visigoths. If you walk in the narrow streets of the center, you can admire the clear influence of all these civilizations in the oldest buildings. The truth is that a visit to Toulouse is not complete if you do not see, at least, these architectural gems:
• The Basilica of Saint-Sernin is the second oldest Romanesque church in France and is characterized by its majesty and its construction based on the local brick of the time. It was for many years a place of pilgrimage and is currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Jacobins Convent , dating from the 13th century, is an old monastery located in the historic center. It is also built with red bricks and is characterized by its cloister and its murals. Undoubtedly, a must visit in full order.
• The Saint-Etienne Cathedral is the main religious building of the city. It is unknown the period in which it was built, although the first data about the cathedral were collected in the eleventh century.
2. A CULTURAL ROUTE
If you want to know the whole history of the city you can not miss the Saint Raymond Museum . It is an archaeological museum that exhibits more than 1,000 pieces from the Celtic and Roman times. Ideal to visit with family and perfect to know how was the life of these civilizations that have marked so much our history.
Another must-see museum is the Augustinian Museum , which owes its name to the convent in which it is located. It is an art museum that exhibits paintings and sculptures dating from the early Christian era to the twentieth century. Its rooms contain works of painters and sculptors as well known as Delacroix, Rodin, Rubens and Tournier.
Another museum that you should visit is Les Abattoirs, a museum of contemporary art and a center for artistic experimentation, which has both temporary and permanent exhibitions.
There are also museums to take into consideration how the Labit Museum, which displays a large collection of Asian art; Or the Paul Dupuy Museum, which offers an extensive collection of goldsmiths, ceramics, fabrics, furniture and watches.
3. A TRANQUIL RIDE BETWEEN NATURE
It is always a good plan to stroll through the gardens and parks, but even more so when the weather is good. It is not difficult to walk around Toulouse and find green areas. And is that the city fuses to perfection the most active life of the city, with the quietest and quietest places.
There are four gardens that you have to note in your travel notebook: the Jardin du Grand Rond; The Jardin Pièrre Goudouli; The Jardin Japonais, where you will feel in the middle of an oriental park; And the Jardin Raymond VI. This last one is the most recent and it is not strange to find a large crowd of students lying on the grass when the spring season begins.
4. A GASTRONOMICAL ROUTE
It is well known that the south of France is characterized by its gastronomic wealth. Traveling to Toulouse is already worth even if only to try their amazing typical dishes. Its gastronomic offer goes far beyond the wine and the cheeses (which are also very good). So do not miss out: there are 10 typical dishes of Tollosana cuisine that you have to try. You’d’ll love!
5. THE PLAZAS AND TERRACES
After a morning of hiking comes the time to sit and relax while sipping a glass of local wine and a cheese board. The city contains a large number of places, some very popular as “la place du Capitole” and other more hidden, you have to visit. And what better than to sit on one of your terraces in the sun, right?
There are six places that you must include within your route: Place Dupuy, Place Roger Salengro, Place de la Trinité, Place St Georges, Place Saint-Pierre and Place Saint Etienne.
​​​​​​​6. A BREATHING IN THE DAURADE
La Daurade is a neighborhood in the center, bathed by the River Garonne . Its green areas and its promenade along the river make it an ideal place to spend a few hours with your family. It is a meeting place for its inhabitants that gives off a warm and friendly atmosphere. It is worth to relax and walk without looking at the clock, crossing the Garonne by one of its bridges.
7. A WALK ON THE CHANNELS
It is true that the best way to discover Toulouse and its hidden corners is to make a visit on foot. However, renting a bike or taking a walk on the canals is a great option to see the city from another perspective.
You have to walk along the Canal de Brienne, the Canal du Midi and the River Garonne , making stops in the most emblematic places. In addition, the tour is very pleasant, passes through most of the city and can be done on foot or by bike. Renting it is very easy, as there is the ‘Vélô Toulouse’ which is a public bicycle service that allows you to rent them for hours.
8. A RUGBY DAY
Rugby is a sport as ingrained in Toulouse, as football is in Spain . If you travel to the Pink City and you have the opportunity to see in action the Stade Toulousain, its main team, you will surely have fun as well as live a different afternoon feeling like a real Toulouse .
9. VISIT THE ‘CITE DE L’ESPACE’
The ‘Cité de l’Espace’, or city of space, is one of those centers that show that Toulouse is the European epicenter of aeronautics. It is a thematic center where you can know everything related to technology that has allowed the human to reach space and everything related to space advances. In this center you can carry out many activities and has an IMAX 3D and two planetariums.
It is from those places where the hours go by without realizing it and in which both children and adults enjoy themselves. And it is well connected, as there is a bus line that connects the city with the ‘Cité de l’Espace’ throughout the day.
10. THE AIRBUS CITY
Airbus is headquartered in Toulouse. Airplane lovers (and curious ones) have the possibility to visit their factory located in the French city, reserving the tour with a minimum of 48 hours. In the visit a tour is made through the enclosure and shows how a commercial airplane is built. Located next to the Airbus City, the Aeroscopia museum offers the possibility to visit the famous Concorde nº1 and discover the history of aeronautics.
