A city guide to Toulouse

Packed with things to see and do, Toulouse is a perennially popular holiday destination in the south of France. The pink terracotta bricks used in so many of its buildings earned the city the nickname ‘La Ville Rose’ (the pink city), and sunsets are spectacular here, best enjoyed with a glass of wine or cocktail from a terrace bar overlooking the Garonne river.  It is a city full of historic landmarks, beautiful architecture and fine food, which you will have no end of pleasure discovering. 

Where is Toulouse?

Toulouse is in the south of France in the Occitania region and is the capital of the department of Haute-Garonne. It is the fourth-largest city in France, sitting on the banks of the Garonne.

Driving to Toulouse from Calais

The drive from Calais to Toulouse is around 9 hours, so we recommend a stop in Orléans if you have the time. It takes around 4 hours to drive from the LeShuttle terminal to Orléans, following the A1, and changing to the A10 once you pass the outskirts of Paris. From Orléans it's around 4 hours and 54 minutes driving time to Toulouse, heading south on the A7. You’ll have to pay tolls on these routes. 

The history of Toulouse

Located in one of the largest French departments of the Occitania region, Toulouse is an ancient city dating back to the 8th century BC. You’ll see remains of many historic periods, from Roman to Visigoth all the way to today’s pink facades. If you have the chance to book a guided tour, they are well worth your time.

Soak up the culture of Toulouse

Things to do in Toulouse

This is a city filled with culture, particularly for lovers of the arts. Plan some visits to these attractions to get the most from your stay.

Muséum de Toulouse

Located in the Busca Monplaisir district of the city, known for its beautiful Art Nouveau residences, Museum de Toulouse houses a collection of more than 2 ½  million items, and has some 3,000 square metres of exhibition space, with a focus on the relationship between man and nature.

Cité de l’Espace theme park

Whether you're travelling with children or enjoy all things cosmic, this is a must-see. Toulouse is the centre of the European aerospace industry and La Cité de l'Espace is where simulations, model satellites, and an IMAX cinema answer all the questions you may have about space exploration and technology. Wander through an impressive array of interactive exhibits and features, but be sure to book your ticket in advance, especially for any events.

Stroll through Jardin Japonais

Created to imitate the medieval gardens in Kyoto, Japan, this peaceful space is a real treat for your senses after a busy day in the city. Nestled in the heart of the Compans-Caffarelli park, the Pierre Baudis Japanese garden is free to enter and holds a dry garden, turtle island, a tea pavilion, and a planted garden composed of a dry waterfall.

Stroll through the Japanese Garden for peaceful settings and gorgeous plants

Take a river cruise down the Garonne

The Garonne river flows via Toulouse towards Bordeaux, where it meets the Gironde estuary, ending in the Atlantic Ocean at the Bay of Biscay. You can book a boat ride that cruises past beautiful buildings on either bank of the river, such as the Notre-Dame de la Daurade and the Chapelle Saint-Joseph de la Grave. With its iconic dome, the latter is the architectural symbol of Toulouse, and its most photographed feature.

Walk or cycle beside the Canal du Midi

The Canal du Midi, completed in 1680, is known as ‘the canal of two seas’ because it connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean via the Garonne. The canal starts (or ends) in Toulouse, at the Port de l’Embouchure, linking up with the Garonne, and runs all the way to Marseillan, 240km away. You will find its banks in the city a hive of activity, and a lovely way to spend a sunny afternoon. 

The Canal du Midi is a beautiful spot for a walk or a bike ride

Toulouse sightseeing

Basilique Saint-Sernin

Built in honour of Saint Sernin, the first bishop of the city, be sure to visit this stunning Romanesque cathedral, with its imposing tower and beautiful sculptures. It is worth descending into the crypt, where you will find the tombs and relics of several saints and the grand 19th century organ, one of the most important church organs in France. 

Basilique Saint-Sernin, Toulouse

Fondation Bemberg

Fondation Bemberg brings together masterpieces from the magnificent personal collection of the Argentinian writer and art collector Georges Bemberg, including works by Canaletto, Bruegel, Monet, Degas and Tintoretto. The museum is housed in the most beautiful mansion house of the city, the Hôtel d'Assézat. 

Musée Saint-Raymond

This is both a museum and an archaeological site with an entrance through a small garden, just opposite the Basilica of Saint Sernin. You’ll find objects found in Toulouse and surrounding areas, numerous sculptures, and a basement which is an entire archaeological site featuring part of the Saint Sernin graveyard, a lime kiln, sarcophagi, and a gallery of epigraphs. 

Place du Capitole

Toulouse's magnificent main square in the heart of the city. The impressive façade of the Capitole (city hall) sits along one side while the Théâtre du Capitole, one of France's most prestigious opera venues, is on another. To the south is the city's Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter), its lanes filled with cafes, shops, and restaurants.

La Place du Capitole, Toulouse

Church of the Jacobins

Elaborately decorated inside with trompe l’oeil and soaring pillars, this Gothic stone building houses the remains of the medieval philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas. A curious feature to look for behind the reliquary is a pillar on a square base, with small hands and feet sticking out as if someone is being crushed underneath. It remains a mystery! 

Toulouse Cathedral

Known as the ‘unfinished cathedral’, this building appears a little lopsided as it is made from two incomplete churches. Admire the stained-glass windows, the intricately carved wooden choir stalls, the elaborate Gothic stonework around the entrance and the Baroque altarpiece. 

Chapelle des Carmélites

This chapel on the Rue du Périgord was the only building in the Carmelite convent in Toulouse to survive the French Revolution. It’s another example of a Toulouse building hiding its delights behind a somewhat plain exterior. Every inch of the interior is covered in exquisite paintings and Baroque embellishments, and the ceilings are spectacular.

The stunning interior of Chapelle des Carmélites

Begin your Toulouse adventure with LeShuttle

Start your ‘Toulouse la Trek’ with LeShuttle, which can take you from Folkestone to Calais in just 35 minutes. From there, the pink city awaits.