Often referred to as ‘miniature Paris’, Toulouse in southeast France has a maze-like historic city centre, religious sites, galleries, inviting restaurants and bars, and a scenic stretch of the Garonne River plus tree-lined canals. In the warmer months, diners choose to make the most of the outdoors, where great food and affordable wines combine with the lively ambience.
Toulouse is also known as ‘La Ville Rose’ (Pink City) because many structures are built from pink/red bricks. France’s fourth largest city and capital of the Occitanie region is also a centre for Airbus and Europe’s aerospace industry. This is best celebrated at the interactive space museum called Cité de l’Espace. The Musée des Augustins, a 14th-century convent and patron of the arts since 1795, is destined to be another must-visit venue when it reopens in 2025.
Toulouse attractions
Wandering around central Toulouse is highly recommended to take in its laneways and alleys, hidden parks, and pedestrian-friendly plazas, such as the Place du Capitole, lined with cafés and restaurants.
Basilica of Saint-Sernin, the world’s biggest Romanesque building with a 64 metre-high bell tower, dominates the skyline of central Toulouse. This religious landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site has been a rest stop for the many pilgrims who have travelled along the famous Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route over the centuries.
The Halle de La Machine is a fascinating space in suburban Toulouse that houses animatronic and interactive exhibits built by a collective of inventors known as La Machine. The collection of built machines stars Asterion the Minotaur, a 14-metre-high mystical beast that regularly navigates the grounds with eager visitors riding onboard. Ariane, a giant mechanical spider, is another star in the 200-strong collection of machines on display.
Sprawling on either side of the Garonne River floodplain, Toulouse is a mostly flat city and easy to navigate on foot or on the city metro. Parks in the city centre serve numerous purposes, not only for recreation but also for drinking, dining, and discourse with friends. I especially liked Jardin Pierre Goudouli (Pierre Goudouli Garden), as it was close to the Novotel Toulouse Centre Wilson, where I stayed.
The city centre on the eastern side of the Garonne River has numerous historic alleyways to wander along and explore.
Market, food, & drink
It’s France, so food and beverages are important for those who visit Toulouse. Food lovers will enjoy visiting Victor Hugo Market located just off Boulevarde de Strasbourg in central Toulouse. Stallholders extend onto the footpath at the entrance to the renovated market where the region’s freshest produce is on display.
Restaurants such as J’Go, located immediately opposite the market entrance, source ingredients in the market for the city’s contribution to the gourmet world. Cassoulet, the city’s most famous dish, is a rich stew of white beans, duck confit, and a distinctive local sausage. Be warned, it’s a hearty dish, and two diners could well share one portion. J’Go also has an outlet at the airport.
While Toulouse offers something for tourists throughout the year, summer and autumn are especially favourable months for enjoying food and drinks in the open air.
Beyond Toulouse
The city is located along a bend in the Garonne and between the massively built canal known as Canal du Midi. The 240-kilometre-long canal links Toulouse to nearby Narbonne on the Mediterranean Sea. This amazing engineering feat, recognised by UNESCO, was built from 1666 to 1681 to facilitate agricultural trade and reduce sailing times around the Iberian Peninsula. The canal, averaging 20m in width and 2m in depth, was dug out by hand, and small boats still travel the river using a series of locks.
Adventurous travellers should convince their friends to join them on a self-driven boat or a captained hotel barge for a relaxing but indulgent holiday through rural Languedoc. The Canal de Garonne flows northwest from Toulouse, linking it to the Atlantic Ocean.
Toulouse is close to the Pyrenees on the border with Spain and within driving distance of Andorra. The rail network is good with connections to Paris, Spain, and the Mediterranean Sea. Various rail passes are available.
Tips on travelling to Toulouse
Getting there: The best connection to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is on KLM via Amsterdam. Travel to Amsterdam with extra comfort and luxuries in KLM Premium Economy class. There is a convenient metro line from the airport to the centre of Toulouse.
Getting about: Trains are a good way to explore Toulouse and the south of France. Trains are operated by SNCF, and two high-speed trains (TGV) connect Toulouse to many French and European cities. Transportation in Occitanie is operated by liO. Use the Occitanie Rail Tour Pass for just €10 per day per person for unlimited travel from two to six consecutive days. €1 tickets are available on some days for those aged 18 to 26.
Where to stay: Novotel Toulouse Centre Wilson is a deluxe hotel centrally located within walking distance of Jean-Jaurés metro station and the popular department store, Galeries Lafayette.
Useful sites: Toulouse Tourism and Destination Occitanie.
All images are by author unless specified otherwise.
