A good past
As soon as you enter Toulouse, you breathe a different atmosphere. In the early morning, when the city woke up, we have to contemplate the beautiful colors of the roofs of irregular tiles like ocean waves, the old brick walls of old buildings in the glorious past, the changing reflections of the houses that went into the Garonne, or those of the boats lulled by the low current of the canal du Midi. From there, the Basilica Saint-Sernin is created, cut off from the hustle and bustle in a green setting. This Latin cross church is an important step on the road to Santiago de Compostela. It is considered one of the most beautiful masterpieces of Romanesque art in the West and the richest in France relics.
Two other religious buildings deserve a visit: the Saint-Etienne church to the astonishing architecture of xiiith in the seventeenth century, and the convent of the Jacobins, considered as a masterpiece of the Gothic art of Languedoc.
A few blocks from the basilica, the place du Capitole is the lung of the city. In its center, the Occitan cross proudly goes. The Capitole had long been the headquarters of the consuls. Its façade with pure lines now houses the town hall and a theater with particularly rich programming. At the back, the sixteenth century dungeon, old tower of the Archives, survived the great Haussmann breakthroughs and today welcomes the tourist office.
Gastronomy for all
Under the arcades of the square, cafés and restaurants spread their terraces, always crowded, especially at lunch time. The Parisian leader Christian Constant, starry and from the South-West, restored to the Bibent, classified as a historic monument, its old chandelier by mixing Napoleon III and contemporary furniture. He's one of the best breweries in town. A few minutes from the Capitole, the Victor-Hugo market offers a bloom of local products that can be enjoyed in restaurants upstairs… But careful, it's often full like an egg because the menus are excellent value for money.
A stone's throw away, 6 rue du Rempart-Villeneuve, Michel Bras, the starry starry chef of Aveyron, and his family open a concept of gastronomic fast food. It is understandable that chefs elect home in this corner of France because the Toulouse kitchen is an enchantment. It is full of flavors, scents, perfumes from here or elsewhere like the violet of Toulouse which brings its original touch.
The near Gascogne provides armagnac, the Tarn a few gaillacs of good attire. Lautrec's pink garlic often comes from its small tip. But the duck remains the king with his foie gras, his masses, his candies… He blends unscrupulous with the cassoulet, even from Toulouse or its neighbors. Sausage, on the other hand, claims its well-known origins.
Small museums and large hotels
The Place du Capitole is a good starting point for shopping, including St. Rome and Alsace-Lorraine streets, or on the streets of the Arts, Boulbonne or Croix-Baragnon, where luxury boutiques are displayed. We take advantage of this to explore the special hotels of the sixteenth century. These rich houses house museums like the Hôtel d 'Assézat, which presents the collections of the Georges Bemberg Foundation (Veronese, Tintoret, Cranach, Clouet, etc.). In the Saint-Raymond Museum, housed in a former college of the sixteenth century, Tolosa is discovered at the time it was a member. of the Roman Empire. The Saint Augustine Museum, housed in the former convent of the Augustins, presents a collection of paintings and sculptures of religious art. The Georges-Labit Museum is an overview of the beliefs and customs of ancient civilizations from different continents. Finally, the old slaughterhouses experience a second youth by welcoming the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Over the water
Toulouse also has a water history that it shares between the canal du Midi, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Garonne. Navigation on the canal is completely free from March to November depending on the locks. For the rest of the year, you should contact the Waterways of France. It is also nice to walk by boat to see the city from another angle. The outskirts of the Garonne have been rearranged and, from the beautiful days, they turn into picnic grounds.
Permanent Party
Toulouse has a reputation for being festive, especially from Thursday evening. In summer, the bar and restaurant terraces are full to crack until they are closed. The aperitifs, often accompanied by tapas, are taken at Spanish time on Saint George Square, currently in work. Saint Peter's Square, a great place for Toulouse holidays, is mainly the student's lurking. At Tonton Pastis O Master, we serve the pastis per meter, seventeen glasses… The Basque Bar is the meeting place for rugbymen, while the theme evenings attest to the imagination of the guests. The thirties and more attend bars more lively or connected. The scenes and the Evangelina Café are also the favorite places of the Toulousans who find themselves for a drink and participate in many organized evenings.
In the age of space
The city has an identity due to its geographical position, its past and its intense life, but it is also a city that has turned very quickly to aeronautics and electronics. This industrial development has for years led to a steady flow of population that has led to the creation of a large university campus. Pilots such as Mermoz, Ader or Saint-Exupéry, who opened the doors of the sky, have often come here before crossing the mountains and oceans. Since then, progress has continued to impose the city on this very sharp sector. The sites of the top international civil aeronautical construction, Airbus, are open to the public only on reservation at least two or three days in advance. They offer five guided tours including the Airbus A 380 circuit, an exciting route between design, production and the flying of the famous aircraft. On the other hand, for those who have not had the chance or time to get an appointment, the Cité de l 'Espace is an unprecedented way to pierce all the secrets of the conquest of heaven. Beyond the scientific aspect, the visit involves animations, models and projections in breathtaking scenery. Thanks to all its strengths, Toulouse is a true alchemy and a hyphen living between tradition and future.
Smart News
When is it? All year long, but summer town is getting to Spanish time. It is often beautiful and warm from April to October with spring rains. In winter, the wind winds cool the atmosphere.
Go there. By plane or TGV, via Bordeaux.
VOYAGES SNCF - More information on the site
AIR FRANCE - More information on the site
Useful. To prepare his getaway best.
TOULOUSE TOURISM OFFICE - More information on the site
