Sign in with Facebook"Five nights in Toulouse" Toulouse by Spincat
Toulouse Travel Guide: 544 reviews and 1,144 photos
Ever since I came back from Toulouse I have been on a Quest.
Was my quest to discover the lost secret of the Cathars in nearby Monsegur, perhaps?
I am afraid it was to find an ice cream to equal the one I ate in a little side street somewhere in Toulouse.
Ice cream was probably the most solid food I ate all holiday - somehow we always missed that very narrow French window of lunch opportunity. To travel to a place with such delicious food and not to get any is a sin - remember to follow the French pattern of regular lunch hours when you are here; remember, also, that many restuarants in Toulouse are closed on Sunday and Monday.
Toulouse is a wonderful, vibrant, kind-hearted and cosmopolitan city. There is a great feeling of life about it: as if everyone is in the middle of discussing something fascinating, or as if they are all on their way to somewhere really exciting ... and you are in the middle of it. The beauty of the place, perhaps not immediately obvious when you arrive at the station or get off a coach on a wet night, sneaks up on you - make sure you spend time walking around the older parts of the city.
Much of Toulouse is built out of what is described as 'pink' brick, but this is actually many shades of soft hues from pink-saffron through to russet and then to to coral; the bricks are a thin oblong shape that creates a lovely textured effect on the walls .
Toulouse had romantic associations. From the 10th to 13th centuries its weathy court patronised the troubadours, poets of courtly love. There are also grisly associations: the crusade against and subsequent genocide of the Cathars in the late C13th, a 'heretic' dualist sect. You can visit their last stronghold at nearby Monsegur easily from here by train though we didn't have time to do this ourselves. Our most wonderful trip was deep underground to see neolithic wall paintings - at the Grotte de Niaux, a trainride away (see my Off the Beaten Path tip).
In more modern times, Toulouse has become famous for its innovative aerospace industry and it is so busy with engineers and scientists coming and going for work and conferences that it can be hard to get a room during the week - book well in advance!.
The picture was taken in the relaxing Place St George, just around the corner from our hotel, the fabulous (and fabulously €31-per-night-cheap) 'Hotel des Arts'. Like many of Toulouse's squares, this is full of cafes and restaurants.
Please enjoy my Toulouse pages. Feedback is always welcome and I'd love to hear about your trip to Toulouse, if you go!
- Pros:Beautiful city full or life and energy ... superbly designed museums and galleries... St Sernin church.....interesting history, lots of interest round about too..walkeable..friendly for such a grand place..fabulous market and delicious food...
- Cons:Trying to get at that delicious food: in other words, the very set French lunch hour - blink and it is 'complet' or fini
- In a nutshell:Historic city: lively and laid back both at the same time!
Reviews (11)
Toulouse market
Things to Do
(6)
We had no accommodation booked for our first night in Toulouse, and as it was too late to search afar without risking... more travel advice
Art collection in the Hotel d'Assezat
Things to Do
(6)
The Bemberg Collection is housed in the very lovely Hotel d'Assezat, a palatial 16th century residence just off the Rue... more travel advice
Cafe music
Nightlife
(1)
A trio called 'Croche Coeur' play at Grand Cafe Albert on Place du Capitole every Thursday night from about 6.30pm. This... more travel advice
Bookshops and 'Salons du The'
Things to Do
(6)
One of the great opportunities a city break to France affords, is the chance to do a bit of posing. Plenty of... more travel advice
Travelogues (2)
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Written Apr 2, 2005
7 photos
The Doorways of Toulouse
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Written Apr 2, 2005
5 photos
marble bosoms - spouting fountains
- 1
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Spincat
“Good advice is something a woman gives when she is too old to set a bad example. (Francois de La Rochefoucauld)”
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Comments (29)
Bonjour! I really enjoyed all of your pages. It was a pleasure to find you.
I have to agree with Marisola about your Toulouse page. I spent about a week in southern France this summer, trying to see it all. I made six visits to Toulouse but it looks as if I should have stayed there for a while. Your tips are terrific.
My wife would adore the marketplace. Another nice page. ;)
Travelling with you would be a joy. Love your use of the English language. Merry Xmas
I loved what you wrote about Toulouse. After only 5 nights, you were able to paint me a beautiful picture of the city, including tips! Thanks!
The best sort of VT page - descriptive, to the point, a few good photos, a real taste of the town - enticing. leyle
That market looks so nice to visit. Must still go to Toulouse ;-)
How wonderfully descriptive! I could smell that coffee being ground....
Have really enjoyed reading your tips and seeing your photos of Toulouse. Makes me want to visit there!
Fine photos in your travelogues and tips. Entertaining and informative texts, too. Glad you didn't just rent a car for that excursion, it wouldn't have made half as good a story.