Best Things To Do in Toulouse

Very close to the Spanish border, a wonderful getaway awaits you in Toulouse. It is known as the Pink City for the characteristic color of its houses and brick buildings, which contrast with the Garonne River. Here you are guaranteed to have fun, eat well and accompany every great plan with wine.

Soak up the French culture in its urban vineyards or sign up for an afternoon of Apéro with friends as a local would. There are also museums, bike tours, tuk tuk rides and trips to old towns and villages. Here's a guide to the must-do's.

When you arrive in Toulouse you should not waste any time. After a short rest in your accommodation, you can go out to familiarize yourself with the local charms. A good starting point is the heart of the city, near the Place du Capitole. From there let yourself be carried away by its history and vibrant atmosphere to discover such wonders as the Cathedral of Toulouse, the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Jacobins Museum.

There are many things to see, so it might be best to hire a guided tour of Toulouse. These types of experiences can be customized to have a tailor-made itinerary. It seems to me the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten path and combine it with gastronomic stops of your choice.

Place du Capitole

This is usually the starting point for guided tours, as it connects to several major streets. Some of the main tourist attractions await you here, such as the National Theater and the Toulouse City Hall. The atmosphere of this square is spectacular day and night and it is believed that all roads usually end here.

If you have time, take advantage of the free entrance to the Capitol and delight in its historic rooms that house works of art, busts of famous people and other wonders that immerse you in the history of Toulouse. At night, it is illuminated offering a light show while on Saturdays a market is organized right in front.

Toulouse Cathedral

One of the stops I suggest you include is the Toulouse Cathedral, also known as the Saint-Étienne Cathedral. It has an original design and upon entering it is impossible to ignore the baroque altar and 14th century stained glass windows. Its history is wonderful, since the first records of this church date back to the year 844 in a charter of Charles II of France.

Throughout history it has undergone several modifications and restorations as a result of wars, fires and other historical events that left the cathedral in ruins. It also highlights its beautiful bell tower, whose shape resembles a swallow's nest.

Saint-Sernin Basilica

If you would like to visit the resting place of Saint Saturnin, the patron saint of Toulouse, then you have to head to the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. This is one of the largest Romanesque temples in France and its features include the high altar, the bell tower and the tiered chapels.

Cycling through the Pink City is something everyone should do at least once. There are countless bike stations scattered around Toulouse, so you can rent by the hour or day and take advantage of the bike lanes to avoid the traffic and crowds.

You could start with Canal du Midi, an ancient path surrounded by lush vegetation where you will see the anchored boats and the depths of the channel of the two seas. It is so nicknamed because it connects the Garonne River with the Mediterranean Sea. And if you decide to go with a guide you could go as far as the Malpas Tunnel and cross the Ponts Jumeaux, a series of bridges designed to interconnect the entire city.

If you go further you can reach sunflower fields and vineyards. You will also pass through its locks, of which in my opinion the one that will take your breath away is the Fonseranes lock for its incomparable beauty. In general, there are different routes you can take to see the must-sees of the city, as well as its squares and hidden corners. But, without a doubt, crossing Pont Neuf and Quai de la Daurade will leave you with the best memories of the Garonne River.

This city is full of cobblestone streets and historical monuments that are worth visiting. And if you wouldn't like to miss anything you can always book a bike tour of Toulouse. A local guide will provide you with relevant information as the ride goes by and you will have an optimized itinerary to cycle through many places in record time.

A gastronomic stop always comes in handy, especially in a city rich in flavors and traditions like Toulouse. You could start with the Victor Hugo Market, which is roofed and welcomes you with a bustling atmosphere and a myriad of stalls that invite you to eat until you drop. Here the aromas are irresistible and you can browse the fresh produce including fruits, cheeses and the legendary Toulouse sausage.

Toulouse gastronomy comes alive at this market and you can take advantage of food and wine tastings at the 80 or so stalls, so it's hard to decide where to eat or which ones are worth a visit.

Hiring a food tour can help you get to know the best market stalls while a guide introduces you to the culinary scene. At each stop he will tell you about the recipes and the origin of each dish. In addition, you can watch a Cassoulet being slowly cooked in a clay pot while you discover why it is considered the star dish of the local gastronomy.

On your way out, don't forget to go to your Apéro, a French tradition very similar to the tapas evenings in Spain. The French usually gather in the main squares and cafes to relax and socialize with friends and family accompanied by drinks such as wine, vermouth or cocktails and cheese boards, pastries, cold meats and other snacks.

Of course, you can't leave Toulouse without visiting the old town and getting lost in its charming neighborhoods. Although walking is fun, there comes a point in your vacation where you just can't do it anymore. And this seems to me the perfect excuse to add a different activity, like booking a tuk tuk tour of Toulouse. You will board an electric vehicle that glides easily through the traffic and hidden alleys.

You will reach the main points of interest of the historic center, where the most commercial streets, cobblestone houses and the Carmes district, famous for its flea market, wine bars and stops that enrich the palate, await you.

You can also visit little-known places and emblematic areas such as the Saint-Cyprien district. In the past it was a pilgrimage area and the hiding place of exiles. Today it enchants with its cosmopolitan atmosphere facing the river, especially in summer.

The wines of Toulouse are famous, as it has been a wine-growing region since the Middle Ages. Several regions promote the cultivation of négrette, a grape that is characterized by its mild flavor and balanced acidity and is perfect to accompany cheeses and lean meats. There are different types of wines and I recommend you enjoy a varied tasting that includes:

• Malbec: it is a robust wine in which black fruits such as Carignan (black cherry or black plum) and spices are used to add a unique flavor. The main production comes from the neighboring city of Cahors.
• Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon: these are wines from Madiran that stand out for their powerful flavor achieved with exotic fruits, leather and spices.
• Gaillac wines: a selection of wines that can be white (Sauvignon and Muscadelle) or red (Braucol and Duras).
• Négrette: produced mostly in Fronton, although there is production in Toulouse at the Domaine de Candie vineyard. You will be delighted with the explosive flavors of its grapes combined with red fruits such as strawberries and cherries.

In the city there are plenty of bars, urban vineyards and wineries that offer an enjoyable experience. Booking a wine tour of Toulouse is the best way to enjoy a careful selection of regional wines.

The tour is conducted with an expert guide, who will share with you enriching details about the winemaking process and wine traditions of the region. Stops are usually offered at 2 or 3 emblematic wine bars with wine tastings and appetizers.

If you are looking for a different experience be sure to buy tickets for Halle de la Machine. It is a cultural, artistic and leisure space that offers workshops and a children's museum, as well as exhibits that help you understand how its attractions are created. It is ideal to go with family or friends, as you can enjoy various mechanical attractions. Among the most popular are:

• Asterion Minotaur Ride: it is a giant machine 14 meters high that you can climb to enjoy adrenaline-filled movements. On its back it carries a two-story Greek temple and incorporates special effects that make the attraction more exciting.
• Giant Spider: Ariadna the spider awaits you to delight you with a show full of fun. Stay tuned to enjoy her graceful movements that allow her to climb and rise up to 20 meters high.
• Giant's Track: Here you can see minotaurs and other mechanical mythological figures in action.

Please note that some tickets do not include the minotaur ride, the Carré Sénart Rotunda and the workshops, as they usually have an additional fee.

This city has several museums that you will enjoy and you can't miss the Aeroscopia Museum of Toulouse, which will awaken your curiosity for aviation. You can enjoy an exhibition with more than 40 airplanes among which stand out the Airbus A300B and the Super Guppy.

You can even see the inside of a Concorde, a type of plane that was considered the fastest in the world and which stars such as Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson boarded. On board it was possible to get from New York to London in three hours, offering an almost supersonic experience. Each has its own story and here you can discover it with an informative audio guide.

It also features interactive experiences, such as a simulator that allows you to live a close-up aviation experience. You'll have multimedia exhibits, touch screens and the chance to see the inside of a military cargo plane. Without a doubt, it's the ideal place to feel like a pilot while discovering the innovations of aviation.

Buying tickets for the Aerospace Museum in advance gives you access to all areas and saves you time at the box office.

You could take some time to explore the most beautiful gardens in Toulouse and disconnect a bit from the more touristy areas. There are different proposals and among my favorites are:

• Japanese Garden: in this oasis of nature you will come across a pretty successful replica of the Japanese gardens in Kyoto. I am sure you will be breathless when you see its ponds, bridges and the variety of Asian plants.
• Royal Garden: it is a complete spectacle for those who enjoy nature. And its central fountain is ideal for relaxing or having a picnic with friends. Among its trees are hidden some sculptures and it attracts many tourists during autumn and summer.
• Jardin des Plantes: you have to visit this garden if you travel with the kids, as it has different areas for them. It also offers an enriching experience that introduces you to the world of medicinal herbs and exotic plants.

If you are staying several days in Toulouse take advantage of a visit to the Cité de l'Espace, known by locals as Cité de l'Espace. It is an ideal theme park to explore space and the secrets of astronomy. Among its main attractions are full-scale models and replicas of the Ariane 5 rocket, the Mir space station and Soyuz spacecraft modules.

It has two planetariums and you can't miss a show about the cosmos to feel like you're flying through the universe. You can learn a little about Voyager 1, the first to come this far from Earth, and how NASA regained contact with the spacecraft.

Don't miss a stop at Terradome, an attraction that recreates a hemisphere where you can see the Big Bang and the Solar System. You also have immersive 3D cinema experiences and simulators that take you to walk on the moon, witness a rocket launch or enjoy space missions from the International Space Station.

A short distance from Toulouse awaits Albi, a fascinating city that will transport you back to the Middle Ages. Its architectural beauty does not go unnoticed, and along the way you can take advantage of quick stops in ancient villages such as Cordes sur Ciel.

Upon arrival, the first thing you should do is wander through its cobblestone streets and explore the historic center, home to the famous Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world. You can explore at your own pace and make strategic stops at its most emblematic sites, such as the Berbie Palace and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum.

Many people prefer to book an excursion to Albi from Toulouse, as they often include transfers by tour bus and discounts for must-see activities such as museums, tours and entrance fees to monuments.

• Climate: summers in Toulouse tend to be hot, while winters are characterized by mild and rainy weather.
• Courtesy: be sure to greet with a Bonjour when entering stores and restaurants, it is highly valued by the locals.
• Safety: in general it is a safe and tourist friendly city, but there are some areas to avoid such as Mirail and Matabiau. They are unsafe neighborhoods due to crime and clandestine activities, especially at night.