Toulouse is very colourful, with a rich architectural and artistic heritage. This city is also called the “pink” city, due to the clay brick on the traditional walls of the city. While walking in the streets of the city center or drinking coffee or tea on a terrace, you can admire some of these buildings. In the “pink” city, there are lots of religious edifices in brick and stone but also a lot of museums in old building or in industrial site now converted.
Toulouse is also famous for the two rivers crossing it. It is on the banks and on the bridges over the Garonne that you can observe the most beautiful views of the city. Dating from the 17th century, the Canal du Midi connects the Garonne with the Mediterranean Sea and can be traveled by barge, along by bike or on foot. The Canal du Midi is in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Centenary plane trees line the canal and change color throughout the seasons.
Toulouse is known as a city where life is good. This is particularly due to its gastronomy. It is around a generous table that you can savor local products: foie gras, duck breast, cassoulet, Toulouse sausage, wines, cheeses, violet treats...
In this city, tradition and modernity meet. Toulouse and its region, Languedoc-Roussillon-Midi-Pyrénées, are the overall leaders among French regions for their R&D activity. This activity is strongly oriented toward high technology with the aeronautics and space sectors but also electronics, communication devices and automotive. This vibrant city is the center of the European aerospace industry. At the Aeroscopia museum consecrated to aeronautics, it is possible to see and even visit some of the most famous aircraft designed in Toulouse: the Concorde, the A380, the ancestor of Beluga ...
If we summarize the inevitable Toulouse, you have to visit:
- The Capitol Square and the room of Illustres in the majestic Hôtel de Ville.
- The Basilica of St. Sernin, classified by UNESCO as a major stopover of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
- The Jacobin Convent: founded in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Dominican Order, this ensemble is one of the jewels of southern Gothic art.
- The Canal du Midi and the banks of the Garonne: Henri-Martin promenade, Filters' prairie, Raymond VI garden, Viguerie footbridge, Place Saint-Pierre, Daurade quay.
- Aeroscopia, the aeronautical museum (more than 25 legendary aircraft opened in 2015) and visits to Airbus sites (including the A380 assembly lines).
- Museums: the natural history museum, the Augustinian (fine arts), Saint-Raymond (antiquities), the Abattoirs (modern and contemporary art), Paul Dupuy (graphic and decorative arts) for instance
- The park of the “Cité de l'Espace”, the Space city, unique in Europe.
The city of Toulouse is very well served by its international airport, its rail network (TGV between Paris and Toulouse) and bus and thanks to its two subways and two trams.
Take the opportunity to stay longer and visit the Occitanie region, easily accessible by train or car
- Carcassonne
90 kms from Toulouse
Carcassonne, famous for its castle, is the oldest traces of man (6th century B.C). The Cité of Carcasonne has been recognized by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage since 1997. You could visit his medieval town and get out of the cité to take a boat on the Canal du Midi.
All the information on: https://www.tourism-carcassonne.co.uk/discover
- Albi
60 kms from Toulouse
The Episcopal City of Albi has been classified on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage register since 2010. Red bricks on The Pont Vieux, The Saint Cecilia’s Cathedral, The Toulouse-Lautrec Museum will show you all the city’s charm.
All the information on: https://www.albi-tourisme.fr/en
- Rodez
90 kms from Toulouse
Its historic center to wander, drink a coffee, eat its authentic food is pleasant. Let yourself be impressed by its Gothic cathedral with huge colored windows and a spire at 87metres of high. Also, enjoy some hiking trails in its beautiful natural environment to take a breath.
All the information on: http://www.rodez-tourisme.fr/en/discover
- Foix Montségur
110 kms from Toulouse
All around the Foix City, an environment medieval open to you: the Château de Foix of 6th century, the Château de Montségur at 1200 metres altitude. Then you can find two cathedrals in the village of Saint-Lizier classified UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Nor forgetting some prehistoric caves in the Pyrenees Ariègeoises.
All the information on: http://www.foix-tourism.com/home/discover
- Montpellier
240 kms from Toulouse
A modern and dynamic city, start to the Place de la Comédie to enjoy the streets’ atmosphere between historic and modern architecture and visit the Fabre Museum. But if you would move away from the City, Montpelier includes a lot of natural areas, beaches, lakes, wine tours…
All the information on: https://www.montpellier-france.com/Prepare-Book/Discoveries/Must-sees-in-Montpellier
- Montauban
50 kms from Toulouse
Public gardens, sculptures, churches and cathedrals, museums, make the rich heritage from the 12th century to the 20th of Montauban. Discover the city from another time.
All the information on: https://www.montauban-tourisme.com/en/discover/montauban-great-tourist-site-in-midi-pyrenees/great-tourist-sites-in-occitanie
All information about Occitanie Région : https://www.tourism-occitanie.co.uk/
To get by train : https://en.oui.sncf/en/
