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Sunset with a view of a large bridge with lanterns crossing a river. A few buildings as a church dome can be seen on the other side of the river.
Sunset with a view of a large bridge with lanterns crossing a river. A few buildings as a church dome can be seen on the other side of the river.

Toulouse

Published: 01 August 2024, 11:00

La Ville Rose in the
South of France

“La Ville Rose” is the name given to the southern French city on the Garonne, which has also made a name for itself as a student city and aviation metropolis. The romantic reddish-pink tones of the brick fronts look their best in the afternoon light. The fourth largest city in France and the capital of Occitania is bursting with life. The buzz of the big city meets thousands of years of history, which can be experienced up close on a city walk. Magnificent Renaissance palaces, the former Church of the Jacobins and the former pilgrimage church of Saint-Sernin are among the highlights.

As the home of Airbus, aviation is not only part of Toulouse’s dynamic economy but also an important tourist industry. The space theme park “Cité de l’espace”, which features a walk-through space station, a planetarium and an extensive exhibition area, attracts around 300,000 visitors every year. Aviation fans can explore the interior of a real Concorde at the Aeroscopia aviation museum.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 505,000
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Toulouse city break – five highlights

A striking red-and-white building with high windows. A blue vehicle is parked in front of the left end of the building.
The Capitole landmark: the beautiful 18th-century building houses the town hall, the opera house and magnificent halls with old paintings. © borisb17/stock.adobe.com
An impressive basilica made of red brick, with several arches and an angular bell tower. Green tree branches can also be seen.
UNESCO World Heritage Site and former pilgrimage site on the Way of St James: the Basilica of Saint-Sernin from the 11th century is a masterpiece of the Romantic era. © thieury/stock.adobe.com
The inner courtyard of a striking red-brick church building with cloister and bell tower. The inner courtyard is landscaped with five narrow, tall, green trees and small hedges.
Oasis in the city centre: philosopher Thomas Aquinas was laid to rest in the former Church of the Jacobins. Today, concerts are held in the cloister. © Elenathewise/stock.adobe.com
A massive, three-storey building in a yellowish colour with large windows, embellishments on the front and a small tower on the roof. The sky is bright blue. There is a green bush in front of the building.
The grandeur of days gone by: magnificent city palaces were built during the Renaissance, such as the Palais d’Assézat, which now houses an art collection. © FredP/stock.adobe.com
An old stone bridge with high arches over a river. On the side of the river in the foreground of the picture are many green plants and a patch of grass on which a person is sitting. On the opposite side of the river in the background of the picture are more trees and multi-storey buildings in the old town. A church tower rises upward from the sea of houses.
Despite its name, the more than 400-year-old Pont Neuf (Eng.: new bridge) is the oldest Garonne bridge in Toulouse. The riverside is the perfect place to take beautiful walks. © Neil/stock.adobe.com

Occitania – An abundance of natural and cultural gems

Toulouse is the capital of the Occitania region and lies between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. The Pyrenees are not far away. France’s southernmost region on the Spanish border boasts a wealth of natural and cultural gems. Medieval towns such as Albi or the village of Cordes-sur-Ciel, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Canal du Midi, important religious sites such as Lourdes and the old fortified city of Carcassonne are interesting destinations for day trips from Toulouse.

Those who love nature and wine should take a trip to the nearby vineyards, for example, to the wine-growing region of Fronton. Fantastic nature reserves offer an abundance of outdoor activities. Hiking, cycling or simply relaxing in nature – Occitania allows you to slow down and enjoy exciting experiences at the same time.

Day trips from Toulouse

A view over red roofs to a densely built-up old village nestled against a mountain. There are green trees between the buildings.
They do things differently here: Cordes-sur-Ciel is an elevated village with medieval charm. Those who climb the steep streets will be rewarded with a fantastic view. © Unclesam/stock.adobe.com
An imposing fortress with several watchtowers and a long wall. Trees and white buildings can be seen in the foreground.
Just like in the game of the same name: with 52 towers, Carcassonne is the largest fortified town in Europe. The medieval castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. © Irina Papoyan/stock.adobe.com
A basilica in the evening light, which is illuminated in the lower area and has pointed towers. The basilica is surrounded by trees and mountains. People can be seen blurred in front of the entrance.
Catholic pilgrimage site Lourdes: it all began in 1858 when the Virgin Mary appeared to a girl. Since then, people from all over the world have made a pilgrimage here. © bbsferrari/stock.adobe.com
Natural landscape with rocky mountains and green meadows.
Mountain range bordering Spain: the Pyrenees National Park is a wonderful place for hiking and swimming in mountain lakes in summer. Skiing is possible in winter. © tronixAS/stock.adobe.com
Green, tree-lined canal on which a boat is travelling towards the onlooker. A narrow footpath runs to the right of the canal, with a hedge and buildings to the right.
Along the water: Toulouse lies on the River Garonne and is crossed by several canals. The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, flows into the Mediterranean. © Elodie/stock.adobe.com

Toulouse from BER

Airplane shortly before touching down on the runway.

easyJet

Aéroport Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS)

Five travel tips for …

  1. Start your walk through the old town at Place du Capitole
  2. Experience the reddish-pink buildings of the old town in the afternoon
  3. Experience the city from the water on a boat trip on the Garonne
  4. Admire the Romanesque architecture of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin
  5. Follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims at the Church of the Jacobins

  1. Experience a simulated trip to the moon at the Cité de l’Espace theme park
  2. Immerse yourself in the history of aviation at the L’Envol des Pionniers museum
  3. Take a seat in a Concorde or the A380 at the Aeroscopia aviation museum
  4. Take part in a tour of the local Airbus factories
  5. Marvel at the collection of old aircraft at Ailes Anciennes

  1. The scent of violets – as a candle, soap or perfume
  2. Cloths coloured with woad or pastel
  3. Crayons in various shades of blue
  4. French cheese from the Saint-Cyprien market
  5. A Négrette from the vineyard in the Fronton wine region

Picture Source title:
© Wilatlak/stock.adobe.com 

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