With its rich past and recent history, Toulouse will not fail to charm you with its beautiful combination of heritage and contemporary living !
Toulouse is a dynamic city; it is the second university city in France and the birthplace of aeronautics, space research and leading-edge technology.
As such, the Pink City offers 2 exceptional visit opportunities; the Cité de l’espace and the Aérospatiale, the Airbus assembly site.
In addition, from the 15th to 16th century, Toulouse experienced its golden age with the pastel dye trade.
Today, you can still see the superb mansions built by merchants during this prosperous era (« noblesse de cloche » or “the nobility of the bell”)
Toulouse is home to the largest number these mansions which were built specifically for members of parliament and capitouls.
While not all are accessible, you can still admire their towers and sometimes even their internal courtyards. (Hôtel d’Assézat, Hôtel de Comère, Hôtel de Séguy, Hôtel de Bernuy, Hôtel de Pierre, Hôtel d’Astorg, Hôtel de Brucelles, Hôtel de Boscredon, Hôtel du vieux raisin, Hôtel de Boysson).
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A South-West metropolis, nestled between the Pyrenees and Mediterranean Sea, Toulouse is a major city which also boasts a remarkable religious heritage with various influences (the Saint-Sernin Basilica, the Saint-Étienne Cathedral, the Jacobins Convent and the Daurade Church).
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As a result, Toulouse, capital of the Haute-Garonne department, has one of the largest preserved historical centres in France.
A compact city, Toulouse, with its historic city centre and medieval streets, can easily be explored on foot or by bike.
In addition, Toulouse is home to the La Garonne river and the Canal du Midi (the work of Pierre-Paul RIQUET, and a UNESCO World Heritage site), and is renowned for its beautiful green spaces and shaded areas; perfect for walkers.
From fountains to gardens, there are numerous pleasant and invigorating walks to enjoy (Le Pont-Neuf, the banks of the Garonne, the Daurade Quay, the Grand Rond, the Canal du Midi and the Canal de Brienne, the Japanese Garden in the Compans-Caffarelli quarter).
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And last, but by no means least, Toulouse is the home of rugby. After deserving victories, the city pays tribute to its team (Stade Toulousain – the most successful club in France) and its players in the place du Capitole, the heart of the city and home to the Toulouse Town Hall.
