Are you planning a visit to Toulouse France? Great choice it is the perfect city to add to your next France itinerary.
Unfortunately, we only had 4 hours before we headed off to Encausse to housesit. We wish we had allowed at least 2 nights to enjoy Toulouse.
Toulouse is one destination that you have to give some quality time visiting. Toulouse is the capital of the region Haute Garonne in South West France.
Since our visit to Toulouse, we have been doing quite a bit of research about what to see and do there and what we missed out on. Our guide will assist you in planning either your day trip to Toulouse or how to spend a night or two. We include hotel and restaurant recommendations as well as tours and tips. We spent quite a few weeks in the region and got chatting to many of the locals who helped us out with this guide.
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(Editor update for 2023)
Toulouse Tours
Discover the best of Toulouse on a 2-hour private walking tour. Learn about the history of the city and see some of its most famous landmarks.
Toulouse: City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour
- Discover Toulouse solving riddles and puzzles
- Learn about the city and find hidden gems
- Get plenty of time to take beautiful photos
- Enjoy a tour while still practicing social distancing
Toulouse E Bike Tour
- See all the most important sight of Toulouse
- Have fun visiting our city with an E-Bike
- Get to know the city like a local
- Ride along the Garonne and get lost in Toulouse Medieval
Related reading: How to spend 2 days in Strasbourg
Where is Toulouse France?
Toulouse is located in the Midi-Pyrenees a beautiful region of France. Every time we visit France and travel through a new region we fall in love with the countryside and the small villages along the way. We fell in love with Toulouse instantly.
The River Garonne flows through the middle of Toulouse and gives the area quite a peaceful feeling. Being besides water always gives us a relaxing vacation feel. The Canal du Midi also runs through Toulouse.
Toulouse is the fourth largest city in France behind Paris, Marseille and Lyon.
Toulouse is located an hour from the Mediterranean and an hour from the Atlantic Ocean.
From Paris to Toulouse takes 4 hours 45 minutes by car.
Interesting facts about Toulouse
- Toulouse is called the Pink City, because of the pink stone that has been used in the construction of its buildings.
- Toulouse is over 2,000 years old
- The University is one of the oldest in Europe
- In 1271 it was declared a Royal City
Toulouse France Map
What is Toulouse Famous For?
Toulouse is famous for being the headquarters of Airbus which located in the heart of Toulouse and CNES‘s Toulouse Space Centre (CST), which is the largest space centre in Europe.
Is Toulouse Safe To Travel To?
Toulouse is a safe city to visit. As a traveller, you should always be aware of new surroundings and take care of your belongings when you are walking around the streets, especially at night.
Things to do in Toulouse in 4 Hours
Wondering which places to see in Toulouse in 4 hours? We share with you Toulouse’s highlights.
Highlight #1 Toulouse’s Most Famous Square – Place du Capitol
The Capitole de Toulouse is Toulouse’s tourist attraction that is located in the heart of the city where political celebrations and celebrations take place. It is located over 5 acres on the original boundary of the Roman part of the city (heading South towards Place du Salin) and the medieval part of the city (heading North towards Saint Sernin Basilica). The facade of the building dates back to 1750 and some parts of the interior date back as far as the early 16th century. All visitors head here first when they arrive in Toulouse.
The Theatre du Capitole is located on the right wing of the building.
The Great Stairway leads to the Great Hall of the Salle des Illustres. It was originally constructed during the last quarter of the 18th century and replaced in 1912. Paintings by the local Toulouse artist Jean-Paul Laurens and his sons Pierre and Paul-Albert adorn the walls leading up to the Great Hall.
Salle (room) Henri-Martin contains 10 paintings by Henri-Martin (1860-1945) some of them depicting the 4 seasons.
Highlight #2 Basilica Saint Sernin Toulouse – A Toulouse Must See
The Basilica was constructed during the 11th century in honour of Saturnin, the first Bishop and Martyr of Toulouse who lived during the 3rd century. It holds the honour of being the biggest Romanesque Church in the world that is still standing. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Highlight #3 Place Wilson Toulouse
Place Wilson was named after the US President Thomas Wilson and lies at the end of Jean Jaures which links the Canal du Midi with the centre of the city of Toulouse. To the delight of children, it contains the colourful Carousel that was located to its present position in 2007 from Place Saint-Georges. The squeals of delight when children arrive at the Place put a smile on every adult’s face. Who doesn’t love a merry go round? We hope you can include the Carousel in your Toulouse itinerary.
Place Wilson is a beautiful park to sit down and relax from sightseeing or enjoy a coffee or a meal at one of the local cafes that surround it. The soothing sounds of the fountain of the Goudouli Monument who was a famous Toulouse poet from the 17th century can send you off in a slumber.
Highlight #4 Couvent des Jacobins Toulouse
The convent was built during the years 1230 to 1350 by Dominique, the founder of the Order of the Preachers.
In 1789 the Revolution banned the Order of the Preachers and in 1810 Napolean requisitioned the Convent for his military purposes. The army eventually left during 1861. From 1905 to 1974 restoration took place to return the building to its original state as much as possible.
It houses the relics of Saint Thomas Aquinas and is a place of pilgrimage.
Pro-Tip: 1st Sunday of every month there is free entry
Free entry daily to the Church and the Chapel of the Virgin
Euros 4 per person to visit the Cloister, Chapter House, St Antonin Chapel and Refectory.
For more information: www.jacobins.toulouse.fr
Highlight #5 Pont Neuf Toulouse
Enjoy a sandwich and a coffee on one of the benches that line the Promenade de Tounis whilst viewing the Pont Neuf the oldest bridge still standing in Toulouse. Pont Neuf spans the Garonne. King Francis I financed the construction of the bridge in 1541 by placing a special tax on the local inhabitants of the region.
Highlight #6 Discover the Blue-Gold Of Toulouse
Pastel leaves are the Blue Gold of Toulouse. It is understood that Hippocrates used the leaves for healing purposes. They are known to be rich in 3, 6 and 9 Omega. During the Renaissance period, Pastel leaves were important for trade in the area as they contained a blue pigment which was used in the textile industry. Pastel fields can now be found in the Midi-Pyrenees and the leaves are used for cosmetic purposes and the dye for the textile industry
Terre de Pastel have a Museum, a Restaurant and a Spa. If you want a memento of Toulouse and its region you cannot pass a gift from Terre de Pastel. As perpetual travellers with only carry-on luggage it was hard for us not to part with any cash in this boutique. Check out their Museum opening times and entrance fee here.
Check their website out at: www.terredepastel.com
Things To Do in Toulouse (if you have longer than 4 hours)
Shopping in Toulouse is a favourite pastime. Head to the Place du Capitol and the side streets for great shopping.
When visiting Toulouse we would also recommend wandering through the back streets to get that local feel. Watch where the locals are eating, restaurants around the square cater for the tourist $ and can be quite expensive.
Toulouse Pub Crawl With A Local
- Get 3 free shots in 3 different bars and club
- Follow your guide for a night tour
- Meet a bunch of new international persons
- Entry for free to a nightclub
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Toulouse Hotels
Adagio Access Toulouse Jolimont
We stayed at the Adagio as the hotel was in walking distance to the main Toulouse Train Station which had direct access by bus to the Airport. The studio rooms contained a small kitchenette, a swimming pool and there was a Carrefour supermarket within a 5 minutes walk.
Latest guest review: The ApartHotel is very close to the metro station Jolimont and there is a big car park free of charge beside the building. The apt was comfortable and the kitchen well equipped.
Other Toulouse Hotel Options with high traveller ratings :
Crowne Plaza Hotel: 7 Place Du Capitole, Capitole, Toulouse, France
Located in Toulouse City Centre, Crowne Plaza Toulouse is a 4-star hotel set 80 m from Théâtre du Capitole Opéra House. It features a fitness centre and an interior courtyard with a fountain and sculptures. Toulouse Stadium is 3 km away.
Each soundproofed room includes a flat-screen TV. Some of the classic-style rooms feature views of Place du Capitole. Luxury products are provided in the marble bathrooms.
Savour gourmet French cuisine is prepared by the restaurant at the hotel Crowne Plaza. An American breakfast is served every morning. Guests can also enjoy cocktails at the PLAZA bar.
Latest guest review: The location was perfect, right in the centre of the city, at the Capitole. Most of the places you might want to visit would be within walking distance. The riverside is a 10 minute walk. Hotel check in was smooth. Room sizes are good. We even got a free upgrade without asking for it. There was many restaurants and cafes the moment you step out of the hotel, so we didn’t have any meals at the hotel.
Nemea Appart’Hotel Residence Concorde: 16 Boulevard Bonrepos, Toulouse City Centre, Toulouse, France
Located in the centre of Toulouse, next to the Canal du Midi and in front of Toulouse Matabiau Train Station, Néméa Appart‘Hôtel Résidence Concorde offers a fitness centre located on the 9th floor, including a sauna.
At Néméa Appart‘Hôtel Résidence Concorde each accommodation is air-conditioned and includes a TV as well as free WiFi access. The private bathrooms are fitted with a bathtub.
The apartments and studios have a kitchenette equipped with a microwave. Restaurants and bars can be found within walking distance.
Latest guest review: The room was spacious, modern, new, exceptionally clean, the bed was super comfortable and the staff were very accommodating. I will stay here again.
Hotel de Brienne: 20 Bd Du Maréchal Leclerc, Compans, Toulouse,
Located next to the Canal de Brienne, this 4-star hotel is a 15-minute walk from Toulouse City Centre, a 5-minute walk from Toulouse Congress Centre and next to Toulouse Business School. It is 400 m from Compans Caffarelli Metro Station and 4 km from Toulouse Stadium.
Latest guest review: Calm room, cosy, efficient shower, comfortable bed, very nice breakfast with fresh squeezed orange juice and in room service fast and good quality.
Residhome Toulouse Occitania: 93, Avenue De Lombez, Casselardit, Toulouse, France
An outdoor swimming pool and free Wi-Fi access feature in this Residhome. It is less than 100 m from the Hippodrome tram stop providing access to Toulouse Blagnac Airport in less than 20 minutes and to Toulouse city centre. Toulouse Stadium is 3.5 km away.
An LCD TV with satellite channels features in all of the apartments and studios at Residhome Toulouse Occitania. Each is air-conditioned and also has a kitchenette with hotplates for making meals.
Latest guest review: What didn’t I love ? It’s a perfect little pied a terre, clean, and crisp. I liked the decor and all the details that included things like shoe cleaner, good quality teas, water, the kitchen…nothing missing even bottle openers. The towels were of very good quality and the beds super comfy.
Toulouse Airport Hotel Options
Best Restaurants in Toulouse
What food is Toulouse famous for?
Toulouse is famous for its slow-cooked dish – Cassoulet. Cassoulet is made from Toulouse sausage of pork meat, duck and beans.
The top 2 restaurants in Toulouse according to Tripadvisor Toulouse travellers reviews are:
Michel Sarrin: 21 Boulevard Armand Duportal Toulouse
Au Pois Gourmand: 3 Rue Emile Heybrard Toulouse
Other restaurant options in Toulouse:
Getting In Toulouse
Toulouse Airport is serviced by budget carriers as well as many international carriers. Click here for more information.
During high season we recommend booking your car hire in advance. Click here for the latest deals.
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Further reading on Toulouse:
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Have you been to Toulouse? We would love to hear what you did and how long you spent in this picturesque city.
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One of the nicest area of the central Toulouse is the Bouquières area the location of many historical houses that once belonged to the notables of Toulouse. Yours to explore!
http://southweststory.com/tourist-attractions/bouquières-area-of-toulouse