Toulouse is the prettiest city in southwest France It’s also called the Pink City because of the terracotta bricks that appear in most buildings These give the city a breathtaking pink and orange color that looks especially magical in the sunset Toulouse is also full of history art culture and tasty food If you’re visiting for a weekend or a week-long break there are loads of things to do in Toulouse France in this lovely city
Explain the Architecture of Pink City
One of the first things you will notice about Toulouse is the strange look of its buildings The bricks give a warm, soft, colored effect to the city The most famous building is the Capitole which is town hall and where the National Theatre and the Opera House are located It is in the middle square and you can see it except on wedding days When you enter you will be able to notice lovely marble staircases and rooms which seem to have to be in a palace. The city also comprises many different architectural designs Haussmann Toulouse style is a mix of French ancient architecture and local region materials Avenues like François Verdier and rue de Metz have linear severity buildings with a mix of yellow and red bricks in an attempt to make them appear neat and elegant.
Toulouse also contains neoclassical buildings inspired by Greek and Roman architecture from ancient times This neoclassical building can be witnessed in buildings such as the School of Fine Arts and Dôme de la Grave The Gesù church and Musée des Augustins emit a gothic feel with their stately stone decoration and pointed arches
Visit the Place du Capitole
Place du Capitole is the center of Toulouse and one you would miss if you are in the city It is a wide open square with red brick buildings cafes and restaurants surrounding it The building of Capitole in itself is impressive with its ginormous facade During the day you can sit in a café and soak up the hum of the city at night the buildings seem to become alive and a really romantic atmosphere is created.
Visit the Saint Sernin Basilica
The Basilica of St. Sernin is Toulouse’s most important religious building and also stands on the renowned pilgrimage way to Santiago de Compostela The original name of the church was that of St. Saturnin the first bishop of Toulouse According to legend, he was tied to a bull and led through the streets for refusing to offer tribute to a pagan god The eleventh to twelfth-century basilica remains serene and spiritual in atmosphere The Romanesque building is simple but massive and its tall bell tower dominates a large part of the city.
Take a walk along the Jacobin Monastery
The Jacobin Monastery is another place of worship worth visiting It first appears to be simply plain outside but when you enter, you can see magnificent details like the palm shaped vault of the central hall and frescoed murals in the interior of Saint Antonin chapel The monastery itself has a peaceful and serene vibe where you can have a respite from the cacophonous city streets
Time travel at Hôtel d’Assézat
Toulouse was a rich trading town once and you can still see the heritage of its rich merchants in the Vieux Quartier or Old Town There you will find great houses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries A good example is Hôtel d’Assézat which is now housing the Bemberg Foundation art collection The building itself is a masterpiece with its Renaissance style and central courtyard of gigantic proportions Even if you do not go inside the museum you have to take a moment to admire its brilliant design.
Appreciate art at the Musée des Augustins and Les Abattoirs
Toulouse boasts some of the greatest museums in the world and the Musée des Augustins is among France’s oldest It is housed in an old Gothic convent and was opened in seventeen ninety five The museum houses a rich store of paintings and statues and its calm courtyard is a tranquil place in which to sit back and relax.
Across the Garonne River is Les Abattoirs a contemporary art museum that opened in two thousand within the old slaughterhouse inside the city It is the perfect place to go if you are interested in contemporary art and hosts temporary exhibitions live performances and film screenings on a regular basis The building itself red brick construction is worth visiting too.
See the MATOU poster museum
If you are a fan of retro style you must check out MATOU the poster art museum It’s tiny but quite well organized and has posters postcards and some other graphic design pieces As one of their popular ones is the era when cruise ships were the main means of traveling abroad The posters that they had back in those days are colorful and filled with personality.
Take a rest at the Japanese Garden
Situated in the neighborhood of Compans Cafarelli to the north of the downtown area the Japanese Garden is quiet oasis away from the traffic avenues Commissioned by nineteen eighty one the garden keeps traditional Japanese flair with ponds, bridges, rocks and elegantly groomed trees A zen garden is even complete with rocks and sand representing hills and water respectively The garden is kept in picture-perfect conditions and strolling or sitting in the grass is not allowed This maintains everything looking its best.
Walk along the Garonne River
The Garonne River runs through the town of Toulouse and is one of the best places to spend some free time Residents and tourists throng the riverbanks especially in the evenings to watch the oxygenated air and sunset The most vibrant places near the river are Place Saint Pierre and Place de la Daurade Both are abuzz with bars cafes and restaurants and students and youth love to use these as meeting points These places are quite happening with much activity going on inside them.
If you are a pedestrian then you can start at the Pont Saint Pierre and stroll along towards the Quai de la Daurade and famous Pont Neuf This is a beautiful place to sit in a park and admire the view across the river especially around sunset when the city becomes a deep pink.
Last things to mention about going to Toulouse
Toulouse is a city that has something for everyone Whether you’re history-minded, artistic, architectural, or just want to unwind in a lovely park, you will be able to find it here The pleasant weather and laid-back atmosphere make it an excellent place to visit at any time of the year From the pink buildings to the nice river strolls, Toulouse ensures that all of its visitors depart with a memory.
Go slow and take a walk about the city avenues sit at a French café and absorb the sights of France’s Pink City You won’t regret it Whether it is summer or things to do in Toulouse in winter there’s always something beautiful to explore.
