Toulouse: what to do, what to see...

Toulouse, known as the Ville Rose for its facades in pink brick, is at the heart of the South-West. Combining rich heritage, southern charm and the very best of French art de vivre, it abounds with cultural rendezvous and festive delights. Crossed by the Canal du Midi and the River Garonne, the local gastronomy is a real highlight. But it is also at the forefront of innovation, with sites devoted to Airbus and the Cité de l’Espace space centre.

WHAT TO SEE

• Saint-Sernin, the biggest Roman basilica in Europe
• Le Capitole, the city hall on the central square, and its Salle des Illustres
• The Japanese Garden with the scent of the blossoming cherry trees
• The red-bricked façades of “La Ville Rose” (The Pink City)
• The illuminations enhancing the beauty of the monuments at night

WHAT TO DO

• Dine at one of the nine Michelin Star restaurants
• Discover space at the La Cité de l’Espace theme park
• A boat cruise on the Garonne river or the Canal du Midi
• N°5 Wine Bar, selected “Best wine bar in the world” by Glass Wine List
• A rugby game of the local team "Stade Toulousain", followed by a third half at Place Saint-Pierre

WHAT TO TASTE

• Cassoulet stew with white beans, sausage and duck confit
• Le Fenetra, a dessert baked since the Roman times with candied lemon peel, sweet butter, toasted almonds and apricot preserves
• Candies, syrups, biscuits, chocolates and mustards flavoured with violet
• Toulouse sausage, made exclusively from fresh pork, salt and pepper
• Fronton wine

WHAT TO BRING BACK

• A souvenir model of the Airbus A380, the new A350 or the famous "Beluga"
• A customised souvenir of the city from La Mucca
• A black and red striped rugby shirt
• Local pastel, now used in various cosmetic products
• Violet fragrance or a bag of crystallised violet petal sweets

Getting to Toulouse