Here are the best things to do in Toulouse, France’s pink city! How to visit Toulouse in 1 or 2 days and make the most of it? What are the trendy places not to miss? And what interesting and unusual activities to do in Toulouse to mark your stay? We will cover everything in this guide for visiting Toulouse and the best things to do.
- TOP 7 to do and see ?
- Where to stay in Toulouse?
- Best neighborhoods to visit (and neighborhoods to avoid) ?
- How long does it take to visit Toulouse? ?
- What to do in Toulouse when it rains? ?
- What to do around Toulouse? ?
Pink City. Toulouse is often called France’s pink city. This nickname is due to the heavy use of terracotta bricks in almost every building in the historic center. The region’s soil is clayey, making bricks manufacture a historical city activity. Even roof tiles are made with the same material, giving the city a red/pink shade.
1. Best things to do in Toulouse and trendy places
Here are the must-see places to visit in Toulouse and our top things to do to make the most of it. A large part of the places to see in Toulouse is located in the heart of the city center, and the eastern part is rather pedestrian. To visit Toulouse more serenely on foot, leaving your car in a car park is better.
1.1. Place du Capitole
Place du Capitole is the most famous square in Toulouse and certainly one of the most renowned places. Once in the square, you can see the Occitan cross on the ground. Stunning buildings are all around the square and, of course, the Capitole! In addition, it is possible to visit the interior of the Capitol for free, but only a part. You can also take this place as a reference point to choose your accommodation in Toulouse (more info below).
1.2. Visit the largest Romanesque building in France: the Saint-Sernin Basilica
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Saint-Sernin Basilica is located in the heart of the historic center of Toulouse, not far from the Place du Capitole. It is the largest Romanesque building in France!
1.3. Stroll along the quays of the Garonne
If you visit Toulouse, you can enjoy the quays of the Garonne at the end of the day. You will recognize the DĂ´me de la Grave from here because it is the one we often see in the photos representing the pink city.
1.4. Discover the Japanese garden, a unique experience in Toulouse
While exploring Toulouse, why not take a break in Japan? It is possible in the Japanese garden of Toulouse. It is a unique and essential visit to do in Toulouse. In addition, admission is free.
1.5. Take a barge cruise on the Canal du Midi
Also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canard du Midi is one of the must-see places in Toulouse during the weekend. You can discover the canal on foot and by barge to mark the discovery in Toulouse even more.
1.6. Visit the Cité de l’Espace or/and Aeroscopia in Toulouse
They are two different sites. The CitĂ© de l’Espace is more focused on space creation of the universe and planets, while Aeroscopia is more focused on aviation. If you want to visit Toulouse during the weekend and these two themes speak to you, do not hesitate!
The CitĂ© de l’Espace is located 10 minutes by car from Toulouse. The exhibits are fun and interactive. It is a lovely place to visit in Toulouse with the family! You can find here a glorious mockup of Ariane 5, the world reference for launcher reliability. To book your tickets in advance and avoid waiting: buy skip-the-line tickets here.
Aeroscopia is the aeronautical museum of Toulouse. It is located in Blagnac, 25 minutes by car from the historic center of Toulouse. All visits are guided tours that must be booked in advance. Here you can find the best aircraft made in France, like the supersonic Concorde and the biggest passenger aircraft in the world, the Airbus A380.
1.7. Visit the Halle de la Machine in Toulouse
La Halle de la Machine is an excellent place to visit with family or friends in Toulouse. They are huge animated machines! You may have heard of this concept in Nantes with the Machines of the Isle. La Halle de la Machine is a 20-minute drive from the city center of Toulouse. You can buy tickets in advance to avoid waiting: buy tickets here.
2. Where to stay in Toulouse for a weekend?
Where to stay in Toulouse? The historic center of Toulouse is perfect for visits and for the atmosphere. On the other hand, to avoid noise, avoid accommodations in busy streets or lower floors. During your research, if you are a light sleeper, check this point carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Hotel des Arts: a pretty hotel with charm in the heart of Toulouse. The location is perfect, and there is also a view of the city.
HĂ´tel Croix Baragnon: a small hotel in the historic center of Toulouse, which also offers an optional breakfast on the terrace and double, triple, or family rooms (for 4 people).
Odalys City Toulouse Colombélie is a 4-star hotel near the Canal du Midi that offers studios with a kitchenette and a fitness room.
Best Western Hotel Innes Toulouse Center: a safe bet if you want to visit Toulouse and stay well! This Best Western is a little further from the city center of Toulouse. On the other hand, the rooms are top-notch and are very nicely decorated.
3. What are the neighborhoods to visit or avoid in Toulouse?
Here are the best neighborhoods in Toulouse where you can stay, whether you stay 1, 2, or 3 days:
- The Capitol district
- Carmelites
- Saint Etienne
- St-Aubin (near the Canal du Midi)
- Dupuy
- The busca
- St Michael
- St Cyprien (on the other side of the Garonne)
These neighborhoods are convenient for visiting Toulouse and being in the city’s atmosphere. You can also move away from the city center, but planning more walking time between the accommodation and the places to visit will be necessary. On the other hand, if you come by car, the more distant districts are more practical to park for free.
Neighborhoods in Toulouse to avoid? Empalot, Bagatelle, Mirail, and Bellefontaine, are neighborhoods to avoid in Toulouse, especially if you stay only a few days.
4. How long does it take to visit Toulouse?
Plan for at least 1 or 2 days to visit the historic center of Toulouse. Add at least a whole day if you want to visit places outside the city center, such as La CitĂ© de l’Espace or the Halle de la Machine. These visits outside the center can take you half a day or more.
5. What to do in Toulouse when it rains?
Here are some places convenient to visit when it rains in Toulouse:
- Hôtel d’Assézat – Georges Bemberg Foundation. It is a private mansion with stunning architecture and a collection of art to discover!
- The Musée des Augustins: the museum of fine arts in Toulouse!
- The Couvent des Jacobins: a real medieval gem built in the 13th and 14th centuries to visit in the historic center of Toulouse!
6. What to do around Toulouse?
Among the cities that you can discover and visit around Toulouse, there are:
- Cité de Carcassonne (Coming Soon) (perfect for a 2-day weekend)
- Castres
- Albi (Coming Soon) (perfect for a 2-day weekend)
- Auch
But there is also :
- Aveyron Gorges: magnificent landscapes and many outdoor activities to do!
- Bruniquel, a thriving merchant city.
Toulouse is a pretty city to visit. You will find the most things to discover in the historic center of Toulouse. However, outside the city, you can visit places like the CitĂ© de l’Espace or the Halle de la Machine. The most practical way to discover Toulouse during the weekend is to stay in the historic center of the pink city. Here, you will be able to feel the medieval atmosphere and the medieval past of Toulouse the most.
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