Although it’s no surprise, there is a lot to see and do in Toulouse France. Also known as the Pink City, it is the capital of the Occitania region and the third most touristic city in France.
Toulouse is not only famous for being the destination of choice for countless students and for being blessed with an unbeatable warm climate, but also for its welcoming atmosphere, its cultural attraction and its wonderful gastronomy. Are you going to miss it?
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What are the best things to do in Toulouse France?
1. Old Town
No wonder Toulouse is known worldwide as the pink city. Being full of buildings made of reddish brick, it creates a totally unique charm.
That’s why you can’t leave the city without first strolling through the old town, especially the streets near the cathedral. It’s easy to get amazed by the beauty of its streets and houses. Meanwhile, you can discover small local craft shops, a must on your trip to Toulouse!
2. Couvent des Jacobins
This place will be one of the first to leave you speechless during your trip to Toulouse. Architecturally speaking, its Gothic façade is simply spectacular.
But the best is inside, once you cross the main door. Entirely made of brick that looks like stone, you will be impressed by all its stained glass windows. There is also huge columns and a curious interior layout. Experience it for an exceptional price.
@nuriav23 | @emilybedoya
3. Musée des Augustins
This splendid museum of fine arts is one of the oldest in France. Also located in the former Augustinian Convent, this place houses an infinity of wonders.
Among them, you will find a large collection of sculptures dating from the Medieval period, as well as some Gothic works, numerous gargoyles and even Romanesque capitals. A jewel to visit whether you are an art lover or not.
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4. Quai de la Daurade
One of the best things to do in Toulouse, especially if you are traveling as a couple, is to walk along the Quai de la Daurade. Located on the banks of the Garonne River, the views are absolutely stunning.
Along the walk, which ends at the Pont Neuf, you can see several of the city’s important monuments while enjoying incredible landscapes full of greenery from the banks of the river. We recommend a walk at sunset to enjoy a stunning reddish sky.
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5. Cité de l’Espace in Toulouse France
Better known as the Cité de l’Espace, this place is one of the top things to see in Toulouse. Inside, it certainly has much more to offer than just a theme park for children.
From being able to watch spectacular documentaries about space to being able to experience what it’s like to walk inside a space station, there’s no room for boredom here. It is the ideal activity to spend a fun afternoon after an intense morning of sightseeing, and even more so if you are traveling with little ones.
6. Capitol Square
Besides being the largest square in the city, it is also characteristic for all the entertaining events it hosts throughout the year, from street markets to sports competitions.
Here you will also find the Toulouse City Hall, which you can visit for free, or the Opera House. In the centre of the square there is a large cross of Occitania, the region of France the city is part of. In addition, the whole square is surrounded by some of the most beautiful buildings in Toulouse. You cannot miss it!
7. Saint-Etienne Cathedral of Toulouse France
The Saint-Etienne Cathedral is the city’s main cathedral. This place has to top your list of places to see in Toulouse; this is not only because its façade is a pure wonder, but also because of everything it houses inside.
As well as having been built over different centuries, there are traces of different styles, having some elements of Romanesque and other Gothic character interspersed. A truly spectacular monument.
8. Pont Neuf in Toulouse France
The Pont Neuf represents one of the most iconic features of the city of Toulouse. Also, it usually appears in most of the postcards, and it’s no surprise at all.
Located over the Garonne River, this bridge made of pink brick connects the old town of Toulouse with the Cours Dillon district. The best time to cross it is at sunset or in the evening – don’t forget to take a picture of the view of the city!
9. San Sernin Basilica
This Basilica houses the tomb of the patron saint of Toulouse, Saint Sernin, after whom it was named. In addition to being a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is part of the Way of St. James.
As well as being an incredible stone monument characterized by its octagonal tower and its impressive chapels, you can visit it for free to see the wonders that it houses inside.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to do in the afternoon in Toulouse France
Toulouse is a city with a lot to offer. That is why we have chosen, among all the options, three activities that will make your afternoon in the city something you will definitely remember.
1. Sunset at Canal du Midi
With its 214 kilometers long, the Canal du Midi is one of the favourite walkways in Toulouse. Its function was to link between the city and the Mediterranean Sea.
In addition, its route is mostly accompanied by trees and is located on the banks of the canal, giving its promenade an unbeatable natural setting. The best point is at the Port Saint-Sauveur, where you will find numerous boats and a pedestrian bridge to cross. Do not forget to visit it at sunset!
2. Walk around the Japanese Garden
Inspired by the unique atmosphere of the Far East, visiting the Japanese Garden is one of the best things to do in Toulouse. Although its location is not quite central, you will not regret it.
In addition to being completely free to enter, once inside you will feel like you have travelled to a Japanese park. Walk around its paths full of cherry trees, ponds and oriental houses while you breathe an air of absolute peace. A 100% recommended visit.
3. Visit Victor Hugo’s Market
Another of the best things to do in Toulouse, and really in most cities we visit, is to get lost in its local markets.
In the Victor Hugo Market, probably the busiest of the city, you can fully immerse yourself in the essence of Toulouse and find some of its most typical products, such as cheese or meat. In addition, you can stop at one of its stalls for lunch after a long morning of walking.
What to see around Toulouse France?
Despite how much there is to see in Toulouse, it is always a good option to leave a day of the trip to visit the wonders that are around it. Take note of these suggestions for when you feel like getting away from the city for a while.
1. Halle de la Machine
The Halle de la Machine is located on the famous Piste des Géants in Toulouse. This pavilion offers a large and curious exhibition of street art, whose protagonists are giant spiders and minotaurs, among other artifacts.
Additionally, its theme and scenography is often changing, offering a different experience every time. Throughout the tour, the “machinists” narrate the legends of all the artifacts in the exhibition, made of steel and wood. Quite an experience!
2. Carcassonne near Toulouse France
Just 85 kilometers from Toulouse, you cannot miss the city of Carcassonne. Its slender appearance of medieval walled city has made it, among other factors, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walk around its streets while you learn about the history of the city, ending your visit at the Castle of Carcassonne, where you can purchase a ticket to access both the wall and the towers.
3. Vineyards of Fronton
Toulouse is also a city well known for its wines. In its surroundings you can find numerous vineyards, but the ones we recommend the most are the Vineyards of Fronton.
Located about 30 kilometers from the city, the wines of this area are characterized by an unusual grape: the négrette. Do not hesitate to visit this place if you want to enjoy a unique landscape while tasting some of the best wines of the area.
4. Albi Town
Also known as the Red City, Albi is a small town located on the banks of the Tarn River that has great historical importance.
In addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this small town is home to very important medieval monuments, such as the Berbie Palace or the Sainte-Cecile Cathedral, most of them built in brick. It is without a doubt the perfect destination to spend the day and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Itineraries for your trip to Toulouse France
Things to do in Toulouse in 1 day
- Visit the Capitol Square
- Stroll through the Old Town
- Admire the Saint-Etienne Cathedral
- Cross the Pont Neuf
- Visit the Victor Hugo Market
- Stroll trough the Japanese Garden
Things to do in Toulouse in 2 days
- Enter the Saint Sernin Basilica
- Stroll trough the Old Town
- Enjoy the sunset on Canal du Midi
- Escape to Carcassonne
- Learn in the Cité de l’Espace
- Stroll along the Quai de la Daurade
- Enter the Museum of the Augustinians
- Taste some wine in Fronton
Inspiration from our community of travellers
Frequently asked questions for a trip to Toulouse
– An individual ticket costs 16€.
– A group ticket costs 14.50€ per person (between 4 and 6 people).
– You can rent a bike to circulate freely 24 hours a day, with more than 280 stations available.
– You can take the metro, which includes two lines that run throughout the city.
– You can take the tram, which also includes two lines.
– You can take the bus, which offers more than 80 lines to reach almost any point in the city.
– The best option is to take the train from Toulouse to Carcassonne. It takes about an hour and the ticket price varies between 12€-35€.
– You can also choose to rent a shared car. The journey takes about an hour and a half, and a seat costs between 6€-8€.
– You can go by bus taking the line N1155. The trip takes about an hour and a half, and prices range from 7 € to 10 €.
How to plan your itinerary of the places you want to see in Toulouse France?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organized way and according to the days and places you want to see in Toulouse France.
With the app you will be able to:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Toulouse?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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