Sightseeing
Sightseeing in Toulouse
Basilique St-Sernin is France's largest Romanesque church. Its most eye-catching feature is its pointed roof, which is sure to take your breath away! Sightseeing in Toulouse is definitely a day for your walking shoes as it is full of exciting architecture, all best discovered on foot!
Place du Capitole is one of France's most exciting city halls. The dazzling pink building dominates the city and is well worth a look! With an abundance of cafés close by, why not take a minute to watch the world go by!
The National Space Centre is a must for all aviation enthusiasts! A visit to the National Space Centre is a great way to indulge in Toulouse's history of aviation. What's more it is located just 10km from Toulouse and with the tour lasting less than 2 hours, you are guaranteed to make it back before the shops close!
Activities
Fun Seekers in Toulouse
Exploring Toulouse
If you prefer to ride around rather than explore the city on foot then Toulouse is the perfect place to rent a bike and get out into the beautiful countryside. Bikes are fairly cheap to rent for the day (around €14) and allow you to pack in a lot more sightseeing if you are there for a short break.
Shopping
An abundance of shops awaits you in Toulouse! From high-street fashions to up market boutiques Toulouse has it all! Don't forget to check out Toulouse's outdoor markets where you could grab a bargain or two! (The market runs every morning except Sunday & Monday).
Nightlife
Toulouse's bar scene is always lively, especially around Place St-Pierre – try the brilliant Bar Basque at No.7 or the terrace of La Couleur de la Culotte at No.14. The buzzing student area around place Arnaud Bernard is also a good option for a night out.
Liquid Club is a new music bar and restaurant where traditional toulousain cooking clashes with house, electronica, hip hop and scratch until 2am (Sat) and 5am (Sun).
La Villa Garden is a gaudy, lively dance club (around ten minutes from the city centre) that stays open until the early hours of Saturday and Sunday morning.
Le Frigo also runs until dawn, Le Velane is more laid-back and Le Mandala is a favourite jazz venue.
Activities in Toulouse
Top Tours in Toulouse:
Wine Tour in the South of France: Tour to Fronton and Gaillac Vineyards
Tour some of the internationally renowned vineyards of southern France and sample exquisite wines
Pilgrimage Tour in France: The Lourdes Sanctuary
See the famous Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Grotto and the house where Bernadette lived.
Sightseeing Tour of Albi Old Town
Explore the town of Albi with its distinctive red brick buildings and see the magnificent Cathedral
Sightseeing Tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site Carcassonne
Visit one of the most fascinating medieval sites in France, the fortified city of Carcassonne
Unraveling the Da Vinci Code: Rennes le Château and Cathar
Visit the most mysterious village in France and see if you can unlock its baffling secrets
Families
Family Fun in Toulouse
Cité de l'Espace (The National Space Centre) - Here you can learn all about the history of aviation in this modern and interactive museum which is a fun day out for all the family! Spend as much time on each exhibit as you want or alternatively to learn a bit more take a tour that lasts around 2 hours. A popular Toulouse tourist spot, the planetarium in particular makes the centre a real family winner!
In Toulouse, gastronomy is part of the lifestyle. Eating well and enjoying the experience is part of the culture! Why not take your pick from the traditional regional flavours on offer or indulge in some world class cuisine.
Couples
Romantic Breaks in Toulouse
Toulouse is a beautiful town known as 'La Ville Rose' or the Pink City, due to the vast amount of rose coloured bricks used in many of the buildings. It's a fantastic city to explore on foot, just take a stroll past the elegant Renaissance buildings and stop off to admire some fine art at one of the galleries or museums.
With streets lined with cafés tempting you in to sample some of the local cuisines you will have no problem finding somewhere to rest your feet! And there is surely no better way to round off a romantic day than with a glass of wine and some delicious French cuisine. Treat yoursleves with a meal at Michael Sarrens, a 2 star Michelin restaurant offering the best food that Toulouse has to offer in a warm and homely atmosphere.
Tips
Top Tips for Toulouse
Food & Drink
Sample the most famous plate of Toulouse, Le Cassoulet. It's a delicious mixture of white beans cooked with meat, a very popular and traditional dish in this area of France.
Key phrases
- Yes - Oui
- No - Non
- Hello - Bonjour
- Goodbye - Au revoir
- Please - S'il vous plaît
- Thank you - Merci
- My name is … - Je m'appelle …
- How are you? - Comment ça va?
- I'm very well - Ça va bien
- I feel ill - Je ne me sens pas bien
- How much does it cost? - Combien est-ce que ça coûte?
- Do you speak English? - Est-ce que vous parlez anglais?
- I don't understand - Je ne comprends pas
- Where is …? - Où est …?
- Entrance - Entrée
- Exit - Sortie
- Danger - Danger
- Open - Ouvert
- Closed - Fermé
- Toilets - Toilettes
- Doctor - Médecin
- Hotel - Hôtel
- Restaurant - Restaurant
- Beer - Bière
- Wine - Vin
Cost of a pint of beer: £2.00