France’s fourth largest city, Toulouse, is a place of contrast.
Cross the 16th-century Pont Neuf and the twisting streets of the Old Town will greet you, rich with tales of their Roman and Catholic past. The peach-hued buildings here have earned Toulouse the nickname La Ville Rose, or The Pink City.
However, look beyond its quaint architecture and you’ll find a more future-oriented side to Toulouse. It’s long been a European hub for space and aviation engineering, as well as a thriving university town, packed with vibrant bars and arty coffee shops.
The best way to travel to Toulouse is by train, with direct connections from Paris, Bordeaux, Carcassonne, and Marseille. Once you’re in the city itself, the metro, tram, and bus lines will whip you across this metropolis in no time.
Here’s our pocket guide on what to see, eat, and drink on your next trip to Toulouse.
Image Credit: Getty Images, wilatlak villette. Image Location: Toulouse, France
Where is Toulouse in France?
Trace a line about 435 miles south from Paris, almost to the Spanish border, and you’ll hit Toulouse. It’s the capital of the Occitanie region. Through its center runs the River Garonne, which flows into the Atlantic in Bordeaux. Beyond, you just might be able to spot the snow-encrusted Pyrenees 90 miles away.
What are the best things to do in Toulouse, France?
Old Town
From the Place du Capitole to the River Garonne, you’ll find Toulouse’s Old Town. Roam through the gothic streets, passing the UNESCO-listed Basilica of Saint-Sernin and Capitole building. Stop for a glass of Occitanie rosé at Au Père Louis, an authentic Toulouse wine bar that has hardly changed since it opened in 1889.
Nearest station: Capitole
Marché Victor Hugo
Foodies, make a beeline for the 130-year-old Victor Hugo market. Modern illuminated stalls are overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables, gooey French cheese, wafer-thin charcuterie, among other produce. Arrive early for hot-out-of-the-oven pain aux raisins from Boulangerie Credo before scooping up ingredients for a picnic in the nearby Square Charles de Gaulle.
Nearest station: Château-Renault Place Jean-Jaurès
Muséum de Toulouse
Science, history, and the natural world come together at this highly regarded museum in the Carmes neighborhood. Dinosaur skeletons and armor made from shark teeth and giant amethyst crystals are among the 2.5 million items housed inside the fascinating exhibit halls here. Outside, the museum is backed by a blooming botanical garden and café when you need a break from all that walking.
Nearest metro: Esquirol
Image Credit: Getty Images, wilatlak villette. Image Location: Toulouse, France
Cité de l'Espace
Get ready for lift-off at this world-class space museum on the outskirts of Toulouse. Kids and adults alike will enjoy marveling at the 53m high Ariane 5 rocket outside, as well as the Apollo lunar module that took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon in 1969. Inside, experience the phenomenal acceleration of a rocket in the lifelike simulator and explore MIR, the world’s first space station.
Nearest metro: Jolimont
Musée Aeroscopia
Toulouse famously is the home of aviation engineering in France. Step inside the cavernous aircraft hangers and you’ll find two Concordes, a Super Guppy made to carry spaceship-sized cargo, and the iconic Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane. Many of these airplanes are open to the public, so you can peek inside the cockpit and stroll through the gangways. Kids will love the interactive exhibits and the virtual reality simulator of an aerobatic plane.
Nearest station: Aéroconstellation
Image Credit: Getty Images, Magmacom. Image Location: Toulouse, France
What’s the weather like in Toulouse, France?
Toulouse is tucked in the south of France, so it never gets particularly cold here. Winters are mild with lows of 43°F, whilst summers can reach a pleasantly warm 84 °F. June to August is the peak season, so, arguably, the best time to visit would be neither April to May, or September to October.
What is the best way to get to Toulouse?
The easiest way to travel to Toulouse is by train. From Paris, it’s a 4hr 33min journey on France’s high-speed TGV network. Bordeaux is just 2hr 9min from Toulouse, whilst Marseille is 3hr 48min away. On arrival in Toulouse, you can hop on the metro to get around the city and its suburbs.
Not sure where to buy tickets? Trainline has you covered with the best train ticket deals and up-to-date service announcements. Purchase your tickets today on the Trainline app.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Matthieu Plante / 500px. Image Location: Toulouse, France