On vacation or passing through Midi Toulouse, are you wondering what to do in Toulouse? Here are my tips and tricks to make the most of your stay in the “Pink City”.

Why visit Toulouse?

For foreign travelers, please note that the capital of the Occitanie region, Toulouse, is located in the South-West of France. Its geographical advantage is its proximity to theSpain, the chain of Pyrenees, the Mediterranean Sea and theAtlantic Ocean.

And with all that, the weather is nice: we have sunshine most of the year. In Toulouse, we only have 99 days of rain per year compared to 124 in Bordeaux !

World capital of aeronautics, the Pink City, has many attractions for tourists from all over the world:

• A beautiful cultural and historical heritage which is told in its architecture (red terracotta bricks) and its monuments classified by Unesco (the Saint Sernin Basilica, the Canal du Midi);

• An important gastronomic heritage with in particular cassoulet, Toulouse sausages, foie gras… and its pretty food markets;

• Aeronautical and space know-how (visits to AIRBUS and La Cité de l'Espace);

• An interesting proximity with the small medieval villages (Cordes, Puycelsi, Castres, Lautrec, Lauzerte…) of the surroundings;
• A real festive atmosphere and nightlife. In the streets of Toulouse in the evening there is a lively and lively atmosphere characteristic of the cities of the south of France. There are people in the streets, on the terraces of bars and in restaurants where you can eat tapas or gourmet meals. It also has numerous nightclubs and cabarets of all kinds.

So don't wait any longer and come and discover my beautiful hometown: Toulouse!

What to do in Toulouse – Best visits

• The Hall of the Illustrious of the Capitol (1^erfloor of the Town Hall);

• The frescoes of Raymond Moretti on the ceilings of the arcades which surround the Place du Capitol. They tell the story and the major events of the pink city.

• The Saint-Sernin Basilica, a masterpiece of Romanesque art, listed among the UNESCO world heritage gems;

• The Jacobins, convent of 13^rd in southern Gothic style with its church where the relics of Saint Thomas Aquinas are kept;

• Saint Etienne Cathedral, whose construction took place over 5 centuries. It brings together several architectural styles and magnificent original stained glass windows.

• A fun tour to discover the city of Toulouse by Segway !

• Have a drink at the legendary “Le Bibent” listed as a national monument (on the Place du Capitole);

• The masterpiece of the classical renaissance: the Hôtel d'Assézat and its small museum of impressionist paintings;
• Take a tour of the most beautiful sites of Toulouse in tourist bus ;

• A barge ride on the Garonne or on the Canal du Midi (classified by Unesco);

• Guided tour of AIRBUS to learn a little more about Toulouse's aeronautical know-how;

• A journey into space in one afternoon in the 4-hectare park: La Cité de l’Espace. A giant IMAX screen, a planetarium, a life-size replica of the Ariane 5 rocket, the Soyuz spacecraft and the ERS2 satellite await you there;
• Museums (see below).

Discover the historic center of Toulouse

The city center is rich in history and heritage. I recommend visiting the historic center of Toulouse on foot. Start your visit with the city's emblematic sites. The Saint-Sernin basilica is a must-see with its Romanesque architecture and spiritual atmosphere. Then stroll around Place du Capitole, where the town hall is located, and admire the beauty of this bustling central square. See my walking tour to visit Toulouse.

The banks of the Garonne also offer an ideal setting for relaxing and enjoying the view of the city. You can walk along the quays, rent a bike or even take a cruise on the Garonne to discover Toulouse from the water.

Arts and culture in Toulouse

Toulouse is a culturally vibrant city, with many museums and artistic events. The Musée des Augustins is a must for art lovers, with its collection of works of art ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The Natural History Museum is also interesting to visit, with its exhibitions on the flora and fauna of the region.

Additionally, Toulouse is known for its annual music festival, the “Festival International Toulouse les Orgues,” which highlights organ and classical music. If you're passionate about music, check the festival dates when you visit.

Shopping and markets in Toulouse

Toulouse offers many shopping opportunities, whether in major international brands or in local boutiques. Rue Saint-Rome is the ideal place for shopping. You can also go to the Carmes covered market or the Victor Hugo market, one of the largest markets in Toulouse, to discover fresh and local products.

Day trips from Toulouse

If you have time, take advantage of your stay in Toulouse to discover the surrounding area. The city of Carcassonne, with its well-preserved medieval city, is just an hour's drive from Toulouse. You can also visit Ropes and Albi, famous for its red brick cathedral and its museum dedicated to the painter Toulouse-Lautrec.

Lesser-known attractions in Toulouse

In addition to the popular tourist sites, Toulouse also has other lesser-known but equally interesting attractions. For example, the Halle de la Machine is a unique place where you can admire giant mechanical creatures and watch fascinating shows. The Musée du Vieux Toulouse is also interesting to visit to learn more about the history of the city.

Discover the best restaurants in Toulouse

Toulouse cuisine is renowned for its generosity and authentic flavors. Don't miss the opportunity to taste local specialties during your visit to Toulouse. Cassoulet, a traditional dish made with white beans, duck confit and Toulouse sausage, is a must. You can taste it in one of the city's many restaurants, where local chefs highlight regional products.

Besides cassoulet, Toulouse sausage is another culinary specialty not to be missed. You can enjoy it alone, accompanied by fries or in traditional dishes such as cassoulet or garbure, a vegetable and meat soup.

Foie gras is also a particularly popular product in Toulouse. It is often enjoyed as a starter accompanied by onion jam or fig jelly.

Finally, the violet, this little purple flower emblematic of Toulouse, is used to flavor many local products, such as candies, ice creams and liqueurs.

Here are my two favorite addresses in the city center:

• Le Cénacle (2 Toques at GAULT&MILLAU 2018 and Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence)

This "gourmet" type restaurant has an exceptional setting inside the Hôtel de la Cour des Consuls. Its room is superb with a period fireplace and large paintings. Very fine dishes, wide choice of well-selected wines, impeccable service ...

One flaw: its price is high in the evening. But if you go for lunch, a very good menu is available for only 39 Euros!

• N ° 5 Wine Bar

To spend a beautiful evening in a warm atmosphere in the very heart of an old district of Toulouse, I recommend number 5 Wine Bars. Indeed, this bar has been voted the best wine bar in the world but it is also an excellent restaurant. See my article: The best wine bar in the world is in Toulouse!

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Which hotel to choose in Toulouse?

To avoid choosing a hotel in a Toulouse red light district, I recommend the 2 addresses below:

The Large Balcony

Very well located in the historic center of Toulouse (100 m from the Capitol), this 4-star hotel is superbly decorated in a 30s style with a mix of tradition and modernity.

The rooms are all soundproofed and include a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a Nespresso machine and a seating area!

Its location makes it possible to visit the historic center but also all the other tourist sites of Toulouse because it is 3 minutes walk from the metro. In addition, the shopping streets and the Galeries Lafayette department store are also a 5-minute walk from the Grand Balcon Hôtel.

See this hotel on Booking

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Hotel Mercure Saint-Georges

Its main asset: its location! It is ideal for visiting Toulouse and its historic center (just 50 m from Place Wilson and 300 m from the Capitole).

Only 100 meters from the Jean-Jaurès metro station, access to all the sites of interest around the city is also quick and easy.

The hotel has been recently renovated and has a swimming pool which is very popular in summer!

See this hotel on Booking

A day, a weekend or more in Toulouse?

Discover my detailed itineraries to spend a weekend in Toulouse or visit Toulouse in 3 days !

And if you have a very small budget, then discover my article: 3 best CHEAP HOTELS in Toulouse