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Discover Toulouse with Carhire3000 |
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The 4th largest city in France and still growing at a tremendous rate, Toulouse owes its economic transformation to the government relocation of the military and aerospace industries. Situated on the banks of the River Garonne, midway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the city is a cosmopolitan and vibrant commercial centre, rich in culture and historical architecture and home to some high profile modern art, a year round jazz festival and its own opera house.
From Toulouse, visitors can drive south to medieval Carcassonne and the beaches of Narbonne, west through the Pyrenees to Lourdes and Pau, north to the wine regions of Bordeaux and west towards historic Albi and Rodez. With such good road links and served by both low cost and scheduled flights, it’s no wonder that Toulouse is used year-round as a gateway to southern France for business and leisure travellers alike. But, next time you are passing through, why not take some time to venture into the city itself and discover its attractions from the medieval to the futuristic. |
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Historical buildings |
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The heart of the city lies in the Capitole de Toulouse which houses the Town Hall, the Opera House and the “Donjon du Capitole”. The exterior dates back to the mid 18th century, with some later additions such as the bell tower, and is atmospherically lit at night. Inside the “Salle des Illustres” you will find some impressive, floor-to-ceiling paintings from the 19th century. And, if you’re on the lookout for fresh local produce, the Place du Capitole hosts a good organic market every Tuesday.
Follow the Rue du Taur north from the Capitole to find one of the finest buildings within the city. The Romanesque Basilica of St Sernin is situated on the site of an earlier church which contained the martyred body of Saint Sernin. It is also home to a number of ancient relics, donated by Charlemagne, which make the basilica an important stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. Visit on a Saturday and bag yourself a bargain at the lively market in the church square.
Another famous landmark is the rose coloured St Etienne Cathedral. Although the exact age of the cathedral is unknown, documents relating to a church on this site date back to the year 844. |
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Museums |
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South of the Capitole, on the Rue Gambetta, is the beautifully restored Hotel D’Assezat which houses the extensive Bemburg art collection, including works by Monet, Matisse and Bonnard,
In the same vicinity you will also find the Musee de Vieux Toulouse. Within this 17th century building, the visitor will embark on a rich journey through the history and culture of the city and its surrounds.
Other museums include:
The Musee de George Labit, presenting works of art collected from Egypt and Middle East.
The Centre de l’Affiche with an extensive collection of exhibition posters, post cards and examples of graphic design from wine labels to book covers.
The Musee Paul Dupuy which houses an important collection of art from the Middle Ages
Musee des Agustines; this restored gothic monastery was first opened to the public in 1793 and exhibits local Toulousain paintings and sculptures as well as collections from Italy, Belgium and Holland
Cross the Pont Neuf and you will be transported from the medieval past to the present day in the Musee des Abattoirs. This large and stylish museum contains over 2300 works of modern art, a library, an exhibition centre, a conference centre, work shops and picnic areas. For 6 months every year, pride of place is taken by a fragile stage curtain painted by Picasso (La Depouille du Minotaure). |
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Other local attractions |
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Modern day Toulouse is now an important centre for the aerospace industry and it is fitting, therefore, that the City of Space theme park is located just outside the city with full-sized models of rockets and space stations as well as a large planetarium, IMAX theatre and numerous interactive exhibits. If you ever wanted to launch your own rocket or experience space travel, then this is the place to come!
It took 10 years to build the Canal du Midi which circles Toulouse on its way to the fishing village of Sete on the Mediterranean Coast. Fortunately, it doesn’t take that long to navigate your way along the canal today and hiring a boat in Toulouse, from a few hours to a couple of days, is a delightful way to explore otherwise unseen parts of southern France. The paths, cycle trails and parks along the canal can also provide a welcome escape from the bustle of city life in the heat of the day. |
This webpage is intended to be used as a source of information only. Traveljigsaw gives no warranty or guarantee whatsoever regarding the accuracy, currency, reliability or completeness of the information provided for these events and attractions. Any warranties regarding such information which may be implied by law, statute or otherwise are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Visitors are advised to check the accuracy of the information provided here for themselves, including dates, fees and times, with the attractions or event providers themselves |
