Welcome to the Complete Toulouse Travel Guide! More and more people are venturing further than Paris to explore France, and Toulouse is one of the top destinations on their bucket lists. It’s easy to see why. Toulouse has earned the nickname of La Ville Rose (The Pink City) but it goes so much further than the terracotta bricks that give the buildings a pink hue – a culture filled, peaceful weekend in Toulouse will leave you feeling all kinds of love. If you’re ready to visit this southern French beauty then keep on reading this Toulouse Travel Guide to discover everything you need to know about the city and what it can offer.
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Is Toulouse Worth Visiting?
To start off this travel guide to Toulouse, let’s ask the most important question- Is it worth visiting Toulouse? If you want the short answer, yes! Toulouse is one of the prettiest French cities. It is full of beautiful architecture as well as the iconic terracotta bricks that make up so many of the buildings, leading to its nickname as La Ville Rose. Despite being the fourth largest city in France, it feels very laid back and peaceful. If you’re looking for a picturesque place that’s perfect for wandering, with good weather and heaps of culture, Toulouse is the one for you.
What is Toulouse Famous for?
As I mentioned above, Toulouse is nicknamed La Ville Rose, due to the beautiful pink hue of many of its buildings. It has an incredibly rich history in trade due to its position on the Garonne River.
Toulouse’s most famous dish is Cassoulet, and you won’t have any problems finding some in the city. Cassoulet is a rich meat and bean stew, containing sausages, duck or goose, and often various other meats. In Toulouse the meats are pork and mutton.
Art and Culture are rich in Toulouse, but its main moneymaker is the aerospace industry. Toulouse is home to many aerospace business headquarters, as well as the largest space centre in Europe.
How to Get to Toulouse
From the Airport
Toulouse Blagnac airport lies to the northwest of the city. The easiest ways to travel between the airport and the city are on the Navette Shuffle or Tram T2.
The Trams run from around 5:30 am-11:30 pm daily, and the journey takes a maximum of 30 minutes, depending on where you embark. Journeys from the airport to the city run a little later, until around 12:30 am. A single ticket costs €8 and can be bought on the tram. The unlimited city pass is valid on the airport shuttle.
The shuttle bus runs on a similar timetable to the tram. Transport starts at around 5am. The last bus to the airport runs at 9:40am, but buses to the city run until around 12:30am. The ticket costs the same as the tram, €8.
Read everything you need to know about the tram and the shuttle, with detailed timetables.
By Train
Toulouse is easily accessible from all major French cities by train. The Toulouse Matabiau Station lies just a 15 minute walk from the city centre. The SNCF website is the best place to find all the information you need to reach Toulouse by train.
By Bus
Like the train links, you can also reach Toulouse easily by coach. I would usually recommend taking the train as the price difference is usually not significant, but the journey will be much shorter. Check out BlaBlaBus and FlixBus for the best options to reach Toulouse by bus.
Toulouse Travel Guide Tips and Tricks
How many days should I spend in Toulouse?
Toulouse is the perfect size for a weekend getaway. It is relatively small, and although there is plenty to do there, you can get around everything in about 4 days maximum. There are a few good day trips to take from Toulouse which you can read about later on, so if you mix in some of these, you could spend a week in Toulouse.
Is Toulouse Safe?
Toulouse is an incredibly safe city. It is not very busy and feels very peaceful, so you’ll feel very at ease. I went to Toulouse as a solo female traveller and had no problems.
That being said, always make sure you keep an eye or your belongings, especially valuables. I always take precautions like keeping my bag across my body and avoiding putting my phone in my back pocket.
How to Get Around in Toulouse
Toulouse is a relatively small city, and you can easily get everywhere you want to go by foot. However, there is a very well connected public transport system if your feet get tired. It consists of metro, bus and tram, which means you have plenty of options for getting around. The public transport system is run by Tisséo, and you can find out more information about public transport on their website. Look for the Main Lines Map with the Network Maps section for the handiest guide.
Toulouse Travel Pass
As with most cities, Toulouse offers a travel pass that gives you unlimited access to public transport, many museums and monuments, and discounts for other attractions!
Prices:
24 hours (one day) – €18
48 hours (two days) – €28
72 hours (three days) – €35
You can use the metro, tram and bus system as many times as you’d like during the time that your card is valid. You are also entitled to a return trip on the airport shuttle. Make sure you scan your card before accessing a public transport station and when you board.
There is free access to many of the museums and attractions that I’ll talk about later in this Toulouse travel guide, such as the Toulouse Museum, Les Abbatoirs and the Couvent des Jacobins. You can get discounts off some city tours, including the hop-on hop-off bus tour, and some aerospace attractions. Check out the full list on their website with all the information you need.
Toulouse Travel Guide: The Best Things to do in Toulouse
We’ve made it to the most important part of the Toulouse travel guide- what you should get up to. Here are all the highlights of the city that can be seen in just a couple of days or stretched out to a longer visit. I’ve included practical information for each place to make your planning easier.
Couvent des Jacobins
The Jacobins Convent is a historic Roman Catholic church. It has an important history in the French Revolution, and its really interesting to learn about the role it played. This is a beautiful piece of architecture that you can’t miss in Toulouse.
Practical Information
Address: Place des Jacobins, 31000 Toulouse, France
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm Tues-Sun (closed Mon)
Entry Fee: Access to the Church and the Chapel is free. To enter the Convent it costs €5 (€4 during off season). Entry is free for students, youths, disabled persons and various other concessions.
Website: Access their website here
Tickets can be bought online through the link above, or at the Convent itself. You can pay by card and cash.
Accessibility: The website states that the Convent is accessible to those with reduced mobility.
Basilica of Saint-Sernin
Another stunning piece of architecture in Toulouse, this is the largest Romanesque church in France and is actually a world heritage site. Saint-Sernin was Toulouse’s first bishop, and so this church was built to honour his legacy. Since Toulouse marks an important stop on the Santiago de la Compostela route, this church has received many visitors in the form of pilgrims over the centuries.
Practical Information
Address: Place Saint-Sernin, 31000 Toulouse, France
Opening Hours: 8:30am-7pm Daily. Open until 8pm on Sunday. In low season (1st Oct-31st May) the church closes at 6pm Mon-Sat, but stays open until 8pm on Sunday.
Entry Fee: Entry is completed free, and they even offer free guided tours of the church.
Website: Only accessible in French
Accessibility: No information on accessibility,
Place du Capitole
Address: 1 Place du Capitole, 31000 Toulouse, France
This is the main square in Toulouse, in the heart of the city. It hosts Toulouse’s town hall, a beautiful and traditional terracotta building.
All around the square you’ll find different shops, and there’s restaurants where you can sit and watch the world go by. You can usually catch a local market at Capitole, which is a great way to see a different side to a city.
Top Tip: Make sure you pop by Capitole in the evening or at night to see the Hotel de Ville all lit up.
Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden
I love visiting Japanese Gardens in different cities, it’s such a great way to escape the city without having to venture too far. The Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden is absolutely no exception. It lies in the north of the city, about a 15-minute stroll from the centre, and you’ll be transported to absolute zen. You’ll find all the typical elements of a Japanese Garden and what’s more, this spot lies inside a spacious park, so you can explore that after your visit.
Practical Information
Address: Jardin Compans Caffarelli, Boulevard Lascrosses, 31000 Toulouse, France
Opening Hours: 7:45am-6pm daily
Entry Price: Free to enter
More Information (Only in French)
Discover top attractions and tours in Toulouse
Pont Neuf and Pont Saint-Pierre
Not quite as impressive as its Parisian counterpart, but this bridge over the Garonne river is still worth seeing. You can also check out Pont Saint-Pierre just along the river, and there are loads of points between the two to sit and watch the water. Make sure you also check out the Prairie des Filtres garden if the weather is nice, as you can relax right on the water with a picnic.
Toulouse Museum
The Museum of Toulouse is a museum of natural history, and a great spot to visit if you have a rainy afternoon in the city. It has a huge collection of items over various permanent exhibits such as the solar system and evolution. There is also a botanical garden outside.
Practical Information
Address: 35 Allée Jules Guesde, 31000 Toulouse, France
Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-6pm. Closed Monday. The gardens close for lunch from 12:30pm-2pm.
Entry Fees: €7 for the permanent exhibition, additional €2 for temporary exhibitions. €5/€7 for concessions (youths, students, seniors, disabled persons). Children under 6 go free. See all reductions here
Website with more info about exhibitions and visits
The museum lies in the Le Busca area of Toulouse, which is also home to the Quai des Savoirs, a science centre, and a large park with plenty of room to explore.
Walk along the Canals
Toulouse is home to an impressive canal that runs from the city all the way to the Mediterranean coast. You can see the starting point of Canal du Midi in the north of the city and follow it as long as you like! There is also a smaller canal that is more central called Canal de Brienne, which feeds into the River Garonne. Either of these canals make for a lovely walk around the city, and they are dipped down from the road so it’s very peaceful and secluded.
When walking along Canal de Brienne, make sure you pop into Le Montagu for a coffee and pastry. It’s in the perfect position for a break, and they have some delicious delicacies.
Walk around the City
Don’t forget that one of the best ways to discover Toulouse is by walking the streets and seeing the beautiful architecture. Of course, in exploring the attractions above you’ll walk all around the city, but make sure you stop and take in everything that you see!
Where to Stay in Toulouse
A Toulouse Travel guide couldn’t be complete without finding you a place to stay! Toulouse has a beautiful range of accommodation to suit all budgets and styles so you’re sure to find something that is right for you.
La Petite Auberge de Saint-Sernin
I stayed in this cute little hostel on the north side of the city. It was very simple but the people were so lovely, and the place very clean. They have dorms of 4-8 beds, and they all cost about £20 a night, so you’re best trying to book a 4 bed dorm. This hostel was the perfect place for a couple of nights, especially if you are looking for somewhere calm and accommodating. They have one all female 4-bed dorm, so keep in mind that if you’d prefer that you’ll have to book early.
Practical Information
Adress: 17 Rue d’Embarthe, 31000 Toulouse, France
Check-in times: 10am-12:30pm, 2:30pm-9pm
Prices: €23/night or £20/night. Book in euros directly or in pounds at hostelworld
Additional Information: Washing machines are available for a small fee. Free wifi is available.
Other Accommodation Options
If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, there are plenty of hotels in Toulouse, so you’ll find something to suit your style. I recommend checking out booking.com for the widest range of options.
Of course, my first stop for accommodation is always Airbnb. There are a great mix of budget rooms and boutique apartments. It is always nice to have a spot to call your own when travelling, which is why I love using Airbnb so much. If you haven’t used Airbnb before, make sure you sign up here to get up to £34 off your first booking!
Day Trips from Toulouse
Carcassonne
This is one of the most popular day trips to take from Toulouse. Carcassonne is about an hour drive away from the city, and it takes the same amount of time by train.
The city is known for it’s hillside location and city walls. It has an important place in medieval history which is really interesting to learn about when visiting, and seeing this unique spot should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Albi
Also around an hour outside of Toulouse, but this time to the north, Albi is another town where you can see the traditional red brick that has made Toulouse so famous. It boasts one of the oldest and best preserved castles in France, the Palais de la Berbie, which is now an art museum.
One of the best parts of this town is how it has remained preserved from its historic architecture. It has led to the commune being recognised as a World Heritage Site, with note being made of the Old Bridge and various other religious buildings.
Andorra
If you fancy ticking another country of the list during your time in Toulouse, then make a trip to Andorra for the day. It is a little further away, taking about 2.5 hours in the car. It is a little more complicated to travel by public transport as there is no train station in Andorra, but you can take a bus, which will take around 3.5 hours.
Andorra is rich in a culture puts its own twist on Catalan traditions. You can spend a lovely day learning all about this culture and the history of Andorra, whilst admiring the beautiful mountainous backdrop.
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Such a great post! Thank you for sharing all the details
Ahhh love Toulouse! Wish I had your guide when I visited. Don’t think I realised some the places you mentioned hehe. Must go back one day! Carcasonne was such an easy day trip and very pictureesque!
This is a great post. I recently moved back to Spain and Toulouse is easy to get to from there and I have heard lots of really good things about it. This post would be perfect to look back on if I ever get the chance to go.
Saving this one for later! I’ll be in France this summer. Thanks for sharing!