Toulouse

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

France

$29.99

Overview

Ochre rooftops and blushing brick churches earned Toulouse the nickname ‘La Ville Rose’ (The Pink City). Its enchanting Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) is a dreamy jumble of coral-coloured shopfronts and churches. Beyond the old town, Toulouse sprawls into France’s fourth-largest metropolis. It’s an animated, hectic place, but Toulouse – nestled between a bend in the Garonne River and the mighty Canal du Midi – is invigorated by its waterways.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Cité de l’Espace

Toulouse

The fantastic space museum on the city's eastern outskirts brings Toulouse's illustrious aeronautical history to life through hands-on exhibits, including…
Couvent des Jacobins

Toulouse

With its palm tree vaulted ceiling, the Couvent des Jacobins is one of Toulouse’s oldest and most recognizable buildings
Place du Capitole

Toulouse

Toulouse’s grandiose main square is the focal point in the heart of France’s "Pink City"
Aeroscopia

Toulouse

This aviation museum was built on the very spot the A380 Airbus was first completed. Here you can admire commercial and military aircraft and learn behind…
Basilique St-Sernin

Toulouse

This well-preserved Romanesque edifice is built from golden and rose-hued stonework up to the tip of the octogonal bell tower. Entry is free, but it’s…
Musée St-Raymond

Toulouse

Having trouble imagining Toulouse decorated with 4th-century nude Venuses and Corinthian columns? This light-filled museum neatly aligns the city's modern…
Capitole

Toulouse

On the eastern side of place du Capitole (the main square) is the 128m-long façade of the Capitole, Toulouse's city hall. This neoclassical masterpiece,…
Hôtel d'Assézat

Toulouse

Toulouse boasts more than 50 hôtels particuliers – private mansions built for the city's nobles and aristocrats during the 16th and 17th centuries. Among…

View more attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

This dynamic student city offers exciting art, hearty cuisine, boat trips and urban beaches – only a few of the best things to do in Toulouse.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

There’s always something fabulous to discover in this gem of Southwest France. Here’s when to plan your visit.

Read article

Free Things to Do

France's Pink City, Toulouse, features peach-tiled rooftops, marvelous river views and fascinating historical sites. Here are the best free things.

Read article

Day Trips

From walking in the Pyrenees to a day on the Mediterranean coast as well as cycling, winery and safari tours, Toulouse is a great base for a day trip.

Read article