TOULOUSE, GREAT TOURIST SITE IN MIDI-PYRÉNÉES

There are some cities you just can't help falling in love with. Toulouse is one of them. The 'Ville Rose' in the département of Haute Garonne draws you in, wins you over and keeps you for ever. Capital of the Midi-Pyrénées region, with a population of 771,000 it is France's fourth largest conurbation. Blessed with an outstanding heritage, this modern and active European metropolis draws its Latin temperament and remarkable architecture from its near neighbour, Spain. And when you come to Toulouse, you'll feel the city's buzz too!

Resplendent in its auburn roof tiles and orangey-pink brick, Toulouse is among the leading French cities when it comes to quality of life. You'll fall for its overpowering charm, a product of its beauty, relaxed way of life and buzzing atmosphere (with over a thousand events every year, held in 56 venues).
France's third university city with 100,000 students, Toulouse never sleeps and has a conspicuous penchant for partying. But that doesn't stop it from being an economic powerhouse. The birthplace of Concorde and the Ariane rocket, and the home of Airbus, the Ville Rose is an important centre of aeronautical and space engineering, high-tech industry and research.
Here you'll find 2 attractions unlike anything else in Europe: the A380 assembly lines, Aeroscopia the aerospace museum, and the Cité de l’Espace.

Warm and spontaneous, Toulouse has pursued its passion for rugby for more than a hundred years. Rugby is in their blood here, embodied by Stade Toulousain, one of the top rugby teams in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some would also say Toulouse pursues a love affair with its river, the Garonne. Flowing down from the Pyrenees, the Garonne is lined with sun-drenched quaysides, a favourite haunt of the locals who often stroll along the riverside, and a frequent venue for concerts, exhibitions, markets and more… On the right bank, the quaysides bring out the historical heart of a city that since the Middle Ages has had a reputation for sophistication and independence of spirit. The city is also crossed by the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the perfect place for a canal cruise or bike ride.

Toulouse draws you in, with its village atmosphere and small, friendly feel. The easiest way to explore the historical city centre, which was completely revamped in 2013, is on foot, by bike or using the métro, from pedestrianised back streets to pretty little squares decorated with fountains, from fine avenues to vast parks, and from character boutiques to designer outlets.

This is where you'll find the prestigious Place du Capitole, St Sernin's Basilica (a major staging post on the St James's Way pilgrimage trail and a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the cloister of the Église des Jacobins, grand Renaissance town houses (such as the Hôtel d’Assézat) and also 19 museums including the Musée des Augustins (fine arts museum in a magnificent monastery), the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (France's second most important natural history museum!), the Musée des Abattoirs dedicated to modern and contemporary art, and the Fondation Bemberg with its collection of 30 paintings by Bonnard plus other Impressionist works. All these attractions and more punctuate your exploration this city, full of the flavours of the Toulousain way of life. Along the way, enjoy the delights of the many daily markets, restaurants (3 of which boast Michelin stars) and cafés which ensure Toulouse is a city that is both up-to-the-minute and warmly welcoming. And the emblematic Violet and famous blue woad of Toulouse are just some of the city's additional charms.

Between the sea and the mountains, just 150 km from the beaches of the Mediterranean and 110 km from the Pyrenees, positioned in the heart of the Great Tourist Sites in Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse is a essential part of any holiday in Southwest France. You'll love it!