{"id":151102,"date":"2021-06-05T03:48:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-05T07:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/news\/discover-toulouse-pink-city\/"},"modified":"2024-10-21T16:33:42","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T20:33:42","slug":"discover-toulouse-pink-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/en\/guide\/destination\/discover-toulouse-pink-city\/","title":{"rendered":"France : Toulouse Travel Guide | Itineraries and Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Collaboration agreement between Toulouse and Montreal” el_id=”collaboration_agreement_between_toulouse_and_montreal”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Why tell you about the attractions of Toulouse<\/a>? Because this city certainly has what it takes to charm. What’s more, a cooperation agreement<\/a> has just been signed for the next three years between Jean-Luc Moudenc, Mayor of Toulouse and President of Toulouse M\u00e9tropole, and Val\u00e9rie Plante, Mayor of Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n

The cities of Toulouse and Montreal share common challenges with top-tier industries such as aeronautics and artificial intelligence, but also in the fields of health, tourism and cultural and creative industries.<\/p>\n

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Thanks to these links, which we are strengthening, we will promote exchanges and synergies between our ecosystems, in the service of our future developments and the urban challenges we must meet.<\/p>\n

Jean-Luc Moudenc, Maire de Toulouse, Pr\u00e9sident de Toulouse M\u00e9tropole<\/pre>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128370″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Between sea and mountains” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” el_id=”between_sea_and_mountains”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]So here it is, the pink city<\/b>, the beautiful Toulouse.<\/b> Located in the southwest of France, it is close to both the Pyrenees<\/b> and the Mediterranean<\/b>. The best of both worlds.<\/p>\n
It is said to be pink because of the colour of many buildings. These bricks vary between shades of pink and orange and give the streets a pastel tone. Inspiring picture, isn’t it?<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128372″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Canals and parks” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” el_id=”canals_and_parks”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Toulouse is criss-crossed by canals which allow bucolic boat trips: Canal du Midi<\/a>, the Brienne<\/a> canal and the Garonne river side canal. The river rises in the Pyrenees mountains and flows through the city before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.<\/p>\n
More than 160 parks and gardens, as well as the banks of the river and its alleys shaded by plane trees invite us to picnic and relax. Like in a Renoir painting.<\/p>\n
You can apparently admire one of the most beautiful views of the city, the Pont-Neuf<\/a> (which is 300 years old), the Dome of the Chapel of St. Joseph de la Grave<\/a> and the river Garonne<\/a>. [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”128404″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”128392″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]A second view point is also recommended. It lets you marvel over the historic center with its bell towers, towers, monuments and roofs of Toulouse. You’ll be able to tell us, with a drink in hand, comfortably installed on the terrace of the rooftop<\/em> Ma Biche<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128408″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Toulouse and its thousand-year-old heritage” el_id=”toulouse_and_its_thousand-year-old_heritage”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]The city has over 2,000 years of art and history. It has been awarded the “Ville d’Art et d’histoire” (City of Art and History<\/a>) designation, a nice recognition of its rich heritage and its conservation efforts.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of guided tours<\/a> help us discover the witnesses of these two millennia. On foot, on a scooter or electric bike, on a segway-gyropod, on a hop-on hop-off bus, by boat, by canoe, through treasure hunts with riddles or with a Toulouse “greeter”, the tourist offer is very generous<\/strong>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128376″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Its buildings” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” el_id=”its_buildings”][vc_custom_heading text=”The Capitol” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” el_id=”the_capitol”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Located on the square of the same name, it represents both the heart and the emblematic building of the Pink City. This is also where you can find the town hall and a theatre.<\/p>\n
You enter through the Henri-IV courtyard to access its superb reception rooms, which are free to visit. A must<\/em>.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”128400″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”128398″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”The Basilica of Saint-Sernin” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” el_id=”the_basilica_of_saint-sernin”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]<\/p>\n
The Basilica of Saint-Sernin<\/a>, whose octagonal bell tower stands out, is one of the largest Romanesque buildings in the West and a major stop on the pilgrimage route to Compostela. As such, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n
The crypt is free to enter to see its important collection of relics (which places it just behind St. Peter’s in Rome). You can admire the great organs signed by Aristide Cavaill\u00e9-Coll and classified as a historical monument (Toulouse still has 3 of these organs almost intact). We focus on the mosaic dedicated to St-Saturnin, which inspired the logo and colors of the famous Stade Toulousain (ST!) rugby<\/a> team.<\/p>\n
Then adjacent to the basilica, an invitation to take a leap in time at the Mus\u00e9e St-Raymond, Toulouse’s museum of archaeology, which has been given the title of “Mus\u00e9e Joyeux”, or “Happy Museum” (how cute!). It has, in addition to a beautiful crypt, an exceptional collection of Roman sculptures, the second biggest in France after the Louvre. Art, history and culture lovers, you’ll be pleased!<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”128417″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”128378″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_single_image image=”128402″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_custom_heading text=”Convent of the Jacobins” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” el_id=”convent_of_the_jacobins”][vc_column_text]The Convent of the Jacobins<\/a> is a gothic building built in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Dominican order.<\/p>\n
It is astonishing because of its arch, which reminds of palm branches. The church also has beautiful stained glass windows and houses the relics of St. Thomas Aquinas. Concerts and exhibitions are also held in the cloister and refectory of the convent.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128380″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Its guided tours” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” el_id=”its_guided_tours”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Toulouse also has many museums<\/a> to complete the cultural visit of the city: classical art, medieval or contemporary works. For example, the Mus\u00e9e des Augustins<\/a> (the Fine Arts Museum) is housed in a former Augustinian monastery with Gothic architecture (currently closed for renovation – partial reopening this fall). The Romanesque capitals, the gargoyles, the medicinal plants in the vegetable garden will seduce you.<\/p>\n
The Mus\u00e9e Les Abattoirs<\/a> (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) is housed in a former slaughterhouse. A precious photographic gallery is located in the water tower (one of the oldest in France).<\/p>\n
However, if you prefer off-the-beaten-track tours, there is also a range of options. I have found one that I think is quite charming and which is called“Petit tour dans les cour<\/a>” (Short tour in the courtyards), because the historic center is made up of hundreds of consumers mansions.<\/p>\n
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A more or less hidden courtyard, an unexpected courtyard, a courtyard that is no longer, cloistered courtyards, a water course, a courtyard full stop. By now, you probably understand that you are following a route in the city on the theme of the court!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”128396″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Toulouse: roots and wings” el_id=”toulouse_roots_and_wings”][vc_custom_heading text=”The Space City” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” el_id=”the_space_city”][vc_column_text el_class=”checkmarks”]Although Toulouse has a long history that has enabled it to put down roots, it has also been able to spread its wings towards the future by becoming the European Capital of Space<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
The Cit\u00e9 de l’espace (Space City) megaplex<\/a> is located 7 kilometres southwest of downtown (easily accessible by bus). It is unique in terms of disseminating space and astronomical culture to the general public. Just imagine:<\/p>\n