What to see in Toulouse: 15 best attractions and one day itinerary

Toulouse, or Toulouse in French, is a lovely city located in the Occitania region and which has acquired the nickname of “pink city” due to the coloration of its buildings at dusk. It owes its fame also to the vastness of Gothic and Romanesque churches and architectural monuments: over the centuries the French rulers and powerful have made it a city rich in history and surprising views.
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15 things to see in Toulouse

1 – Canal du Midi
It is known as the “Canal of the two seas”, as its route joins the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean : this canal is 240 km long, connecting Bordeaux, Toulouse, Haute Garonne and the Pond of Thau up to Sete, then to the Mediterranean. The proponent was Pierre-Paul Riquet, who started the works starting from 1666, carrying them on until 1681.

This extraordinary work of engineering is a unique tourist destination and not to be missed : you will have the opportunity to take long walks or do a bike ride along its banks. It is an unmissable destination registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1996.
The Canal is located 1.5 km from Piazza del Campidoglio, 19 min on foot. You can walk along it starting from Le Pont Neuf, one of the oldest bridges in Toulouse, heading both along the coast to the right and along the left one heading south. Metro stop closest to Le Pont Neuf and Esquirol, line A – Get directions

Boat tour on the canal : one of the most beautiful experiences to do in Toulouse is to sail along the course of the canal! With the Toulouse tourist pass you can enjoy some discounts on boat rides, as well as on other activities

2 – Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis
Photo by PierreSelim. The Jardin Japonais Pierre Baudis were built in the period between 1400 and 1600, the era of Muromachi and Edo. Although the garden is located in the administrative district of the city, it shows its distinctly exotic character : it offers an oasis of relaxation for lovers of meditation and rest and is typically oriental with the recreation of the plant, mineral and aquatic world. .
Particular also for its typical decorative elements such as the Zen garden, the surrounding wall, small bridges, lanterns and even a particular tea gazebo, designed on the model of the Katsura palace (17th century, southwest of Kyoto).

Don’t forget your camera: it is one of the most photographed attractions of the city thanks to the beautiful corners and views. Unleash all its beauty in autumn and spring, seasons in which nature gives its best

• How to get there: at Jardin Compans Caffarelli, Boulevard Lascrosses. 1.5 km from Piazza del Campidoglio, 20 min on foot. The closest Metro stops are Compans Caffarelli and Canal du Midi, line B – Get directions
• Hours: every day, from November to February 8: 00-18: 00, from March to May and September and October 8: 00-20: 00, from June to August 8: 00-21: 00
• Ticket cost: free

3 – Basilica of Saint-Sernin
Photo by Benh LIEU SONG. This magnificent Basilica is dedicated to San Saturnino, first bishop and martyr of Toulouse , and its construction began between 1070 and 1080, a decade after which the works stopped and resumed in the period of great splendor of southern France, in the thirteenth century. . Following these interventions, the appearance of the basilica continues to change until it reaches the modern physiognomy , which sees alternating stones and pink bricks, both in the interior consisting of 5 naves and a transept with 3 naves, and externally in the bell tower octagonal base.
On the right side there is a Renaissance arch that leads to the Miegeville Gate, embellished with sculpted capitals where you will also find the statues of St. James and Peter on the sides. This sacred place is particularly loved by pilgrims since, inside, it preserves the relics of San Saturnino and the True Cross .

• How to get there: to Place Saint-Sernin; 550 meters from Piazza del Campidoglio, 6 min on foot. Closest Metro stops are Capitole (line A) or Jeanne d’Arc (line B) – Get directions
• Hours: from June to September Mon-Sat 8: 30-19: 00, Sun 8: 30-19: 30, from October to May Mon Sat 8: 30-18: 00, Sun 8: 30-19: 30
• Ticket price: Basilica free / Crypt € 2.50

4 – Mercato Victor Hugo
Photo of Abdoucondorcet. The Marche Victor Hugo is a large covered market in the center of Toulouse , just 400 meters from the Capitol square. It occupies an area of ​​over 4,000 square meters and extends over two floors: on the ground floor there are numerous stalls offering the typical products of the local gastronomy , from cheeses to cured meats, from meat to fish.
Upstairs, however, you can find several bars and restaurants, with typical menus , but also elegant and refined: being right in the center, in fact, the cost is not exactly cheap but, given the variety of the offer, it is certainly possible. find something for all tastes and budgets.

Pay attention to the timetables: open only until 2.00 pm, it is a perfect place to stop for a lunch break based on local dishes or to indulge, between one visit and another, an aperitif based on a glass of white wine and oysters

• How to get there: on Place Victor Hugo, 400 meters north-east of Place du Capitole, Capitole metro stop – Get directions
• Hours: Tue-Sun 6: 00-14: 00, closed Mon
• Ticket cost: free

5 – Place du Capitole and the Capitole
Photo by Benh LIEU SONG. Piazza del Campidoglio, in French Place du Capitole is the true hub of city life in Toulouse, as well as the heart of the historic center : here also dominates the famous building called “Capitole”, a majestic monument, whose facade is characterized by 8 large pink columns , known throughout the world as an absolute masterpiece of 17th century neoclassical art and emblem of Toulouse.
Today it has become the seat of the Town Hall and the Teatro du Capitoleand inside you can find the Hall of the Illustrious, full of paintings that evoke the history of Toulouse. Inside the courtyard you can see a statue of Henry IV, while at the rear there is the square dungeon dating back to 1500. Used in ancient times for defensive purposes, over time it became the seat of the municipal archives and gunpowder deposit. Today, however, it is the seat of the Tourist Office.

Keep an eye out for the Toulouse Cross : the Occitania or Toulouse Cross is represented in the center of the square. Keep your eyes peeled and take a souvenir photo.

• How to get there: in the historic center, within walking distance of many main attractions, a 5-minute walk from the Church of the Jacobins. Nearest Metro stop is Capitole, line A – Get directions
• Hours: piazza always accessible / Capitole Mon-Fri 8: 30-19: 00, Sun 10: 00-19: 00, Sat closed
• Ticket cost: free

6 – Church and Convent of the Jacobins
Photo by Pistolero. The first bricks were laid in the distant 1230 and construction work continued until 1380, a period in which, in addition to the original Convent, the church, the cloister, the chapter house, the refectory and the chapel of Sant’Antonino were added. Today the whole complex is recognized as the most important example of Gothic art in the Languedoc , as regards the monastic buildings of the period between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Since 1840 this complex has been declared a Historical Monument of France.
The exteriors appear “massive” due to the presence of red bricks, while the interiors are lighter and more pleasant; right here is the famous Palmizio,a large column 23 meters high in the shape of a palm which has the task of supporting the vault of the choir. Among the curiosities to know, the Church inside, since 1369, houses the remains of St. Thomas Aquinas , the famous founder of the Dominican order.

• How to get there: to Place des Jacobins; 350 meters from Piazza del Campidoglio, 5 min on foot. The closest Metro stop is Capitole, line A – Get directions
• Hours: Tue-Sun 10: 00-18: 00, closed Mon
• Ticket price: Free church / Full convent € 5.00, reduced € 3.00

7 – Saint-Pierre square and Saint Pierre bridge
Photo by PierreSelim. Piazza Saint Pierre is one of the most popular attractions for those who love social life , as it is full of clubs and restaurants where you can spend the evening above all, as these remain open until late at night, offering drinks to young people and university students who flock to the neighborhood.
It can be reached by crossing the Saint Pierre bridge, not as old as the New Bridge, but just as famous and important. Its construction, in fact, is very recent, since it only dates back to 1987, built to replace an old suspension bridge; but, thanks to its lighting system, it remains one of the most popular attractions in the city .
The square is 650 meters from the Sain-Cyprien district and 700 meters from Place du Capitole, making it within walking distance of many attractions. However, there is also a bus station very close by. It’s free and always accessible – Get Directions

8 – Eglise Notre Dame De La Daurade
Photo by Kimon Berlin. Historical Monument of France since 1963 , this splendid church is located along the banks of the Garonne River and has acquired the title of Minor Basilica since 1876. It houses the Black Virgin , the protector of future mothers, embellished with refined dresses designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac and Christian Lacroix.
The church was originally erected in the fifth century on the foundations of an ancient temple and its decoration sees privilege the gold leaf mosaics from which it takes its name precisely “Daurade”. During the 9th century it was integrated into a Benedictine monastery and was made larger as a nave and a cloister were added . The latter now houses the school of Fine Arts. Unfortunately, the church underwent some changes as it was demolished at the end of the 18th century and then completely rebuilt.

• How to get there: to Place de la Daurade, 550 meters from Piazza del Campidoglio, 7 min on foot; the nearest metro stops are Capitole and Esquirol, line A – Get directions
• Orari: sab-dom 10:00-12:00
• Ticket cost: free

9 – Hotel D’Assezat
Photo of Pom². Building that has become an emblem of the Renaissance, and located in the square of the same name and it is a private house of Pierre d’Assezat , a merchant who lived in 1500 who commissioned his ambitious project to the architect Nicolas Bachelier. Initially, this palace provided for the superimposition of the three architectural orders, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. It belonged to the d’Assezat family until 1700. Since 1914 it has been classified as a Historic Monument and has since become the Museum of the Bemberg Foundation.
Inside today it is possible to follow a path on art in the West, from the period between the end of the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. It is divided into 3 floors: on the first one there are works of art, paintings, furniture, bronzes and the works of Tintoretto, Cranach, Clouet; the second floor houses modern, impressionist and post-impressionist works by Manet, Picasso, Dufy, Vlaminck and entire rooms dedicated to Bonnard and the Fauves; finally, the basement hosts public and private events.

Coffee break at the Hotel D’Assezat : for an excellent break between one visit and another, stop for a good tea on the terrace under the loggia, located in the internal courtyard of the building

• How to get there: to Place d’Assezat, 600 meters from Piazza del Campidoglio, 8 min on foot. The closest Metro stops are Capitole and Esquirol, line A – Get directions
• Hours: Tue-Sun 10: 00-12: 30 and 13: 30-18: 00
• Ticket price: full € 8.00, reduced € 5.00

10 – Des Augustins Museum
Photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbera. This is the Toulouse Museum of Fine Arts . Initially the building housed the Augustinian order, while today it preserves a collection of sculptures of Occitan and Romanesque culture and paintings from all over France , attributable to periods between the Middle Ages and the early twentieth century.
The church, the cloister, the chapter rooms and a lovely garden were then annexed to the convent. The process of acquiring the works preserved here ended in the year 1811 and saw the creation of a total collection of over 4,000 works. All the pieces of the collections have been wisely arranged following a chronological criterion and a strategically studied order: the Gothic sculptures, for example, have been placed in the Gothic rooms that overlook the cloister; 19th century painting, such as the paintings by Corot, Courbet, Ingres and Delacroix, in the Red Room; or the religious paintings created, for example, by Perugino and Rubens inside the church.

• How to get there: in Rue de Metz, 21, 600 meters from Campidoglio Square, 7 min on foot. The closest Metro stops are Esquirol, line A, and Francois Verdier, line B – Get directions
• Hours: Wed-Mon 10: 00-18: 00, Wed until 21: 00, closed Tue
• Ticket price: full € 5.00, reduced € 3.00

11 – Toulouse Cathedral
Known in France as the Cathedrale Saint-Etienne de Toulouse, its construction began in the 13th century and continued until the 17th century. However, this particular religious building still remains unfinished today . It is famous for being unusual and eclectic: it combines two Gothic styles, the Southern Gothic massif and the Northern Gothic, which turns out to be brighter.
Inside, the altar in marble and Baroque style, together with the stained glass windows, among which we find a famous one, the so-called “window of the King of France”, which depicts King Charles VII and the dolphin, future Louis XI. The chapels are full of paintings and reliquaries, which together form many small and interesting museums. Above the heads of the faithful, at least 20 meters above the ground, a huge organ can be seen.

• How to get there: to Place Saint-Etienne; 900 meters from Piazza del Campidoglio, 11 minutes on foot; the nearest metro stop is Francois Verdier – Get directions
• Hours: Mon-Sat 8 am-7pm, Sun 9 am-7pm
• Ticket cost: free

12 – Ponte Nuovo
Photo by Jeanda. The New Bridge is both the most photographed point of Toulouse and the real soul of the place , since from here you can enjoy a view of the main points of interest of the city. It connects Rue de Metz on the right bank with Rue de la Republique on the left, and this centrality has also played an important role in the history of Toulouse, when it served as a crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
Started in 1544, its works were interrupted for about seventy years, due to the Wars of Religion of the period. When it was finished, in addition to joining the two banks of the river, it also had to guarantee that it was resistant to the force of the waterand its shape with irregular arches has proved to be suitable for this role so far!
The Ponte Nuovo is 900 meters from Palce du Capitole and 350 meters from the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Daurade. Capitole or Saint Cyprien metro station. Free and always accessible access – Get directions

Visit it at dusk : when the soft light of the street lamps turns the whole landscape pink! And if you want to enjoy an aperitif overlooking the bridge, the right place is Bar Le Filochard

13 – Saint Cyprien district
Saint Cyprien is one of the most authentic districts of Toulouse, located at the end of the Ponte Nuovo, on the western bank. While it could be said that it is less crowded than the iconic Place du Capitole, Saint Cyprien equally offers numerous opportunities for recreation and meeting.
The neighborhood, in fact, hosts the Prairie des Filtres and Jardin Raymond VI parks. In addition, for lovers of local gastronomy , here is another of the markets of the city, precisely the Marche Saint-Cyprien, full of specialties. Its main attraction, however, could be the Chateaux d’Eau, the former water tower, which now houses numerous photography exhibitions, with free admission.
The Saint-Cyprien district is located on the left bank of the Garonne River and 1.5 kilometers from the Place du Capitole. You can reach it on foot or with the Saint-Cyprien Republique metro stop. It is free and always accessible – Get directions

14 – The City of Space
Not everyone knows that the city of Toulouse is known for being the most important aerospace center in Europe ! La Cite de l’Espace is a science and entertainment park that harks back to the aviation industry : however, it is not the typical amusement park that we would expect to find, precisely because several attractions are interactive, i.e. they give anyone the opportunity to interact with science and discover a new world of knowledge.
Among the main attractions you can find: a 360 ° planetarium that perfectly simulates space, life-size spacecraft, including for example the Russian orbiting station Mir which was visited by a total of 96 cosmonauts, and the Soyouz spacecraft. Finally, the most interesting attraction is certainly the reproduction of the 53-meter high Ariane 5 rocket .

Plan your visit : given the distance from the center of Toulouse, we recommend that you dedicate a whole morning to it and arrive at the opening hours to avoid the queues. This is a perfect attraction to visit with children, who will love to wear 3D glasses and observe the space in three dimensions in the IMAX cinema.

• How to get there: to Avenue Jean Gonord. 5 km from Piazza del Campidoglio, by metro line A to the Jolimont stop or by metro B to the Ramonville stop, then take bus 37. Alternatively, bus line 16 from the center – Get directions
• Hours: every day from 10:00. Closing times vary between 17:00 and 19:00 according to the days, months and seasons, consult the official website
• Ticket price: full day basis from € 21.50, reduced from € 16.00. Present different packages and offers, consult the official website

15 – Hall de la Machine
The Halle de la Machine is an almost surreal place located , about half an hour’s drive outside Toulouse, but absolutely unmissable, especially for lovers of special effects. In this immense hangar, in fact, gigantic machines with the appearance of some animals are kept , which are used in numerous shows all over the world.
Here, for example, it is possible to climb on the shoulders of a huge minotaur or a giant mechanical spider or even attend various performances characterized by almost artisanal special effects . Its construction dates back to 9 November 2018 on the Piste de Geants, an ancient runway reserved for the Aeropostale.

• How to get there: from the center of Toulouse, by car in 20 minutes or by bus line 23 in 42 minutes – Get directions
• Hours: generally 10: 00-18: 00. The closing times and days may vary according to the week, the period and the season. Consult the official website
• Ticket price: full € 9.00, reduced € 6.50 reduced

Other attractions and things to do
Photo of M.berkouk. In Toulouse, there are hidden treasures to discover . Among these is the Chapel of the Carmelites, a 20-minute walk from the center, a building with free admission that exhibits wood paneling and well-kept paintings. Another treasure is the Toulouse Museum (€ 7.00), important for the finds that testify to the natural history of the country. On the way to the Museum, you can stroll past other important and playful attractions such as the Palace of Justice, or the La Fayette Gallery, for a few hours of shopping among the beautiful shops.
If, on the other hand, you love nature and tranquility, you can cycle along the Canal de Brienne, which is the tree-lined canal that connects the Garonne to the Canal du Midi. Of course, it can also be covered on foot, but the city’s cycle paths are an unmissable attraction in Toulouse , which lends itself very well to being visited on two wheels, as a very green city.
Finally, if you haven’t had enough of the markets we have already suggested, we also propose the Marche des Carmes, which has about fifty indoor food stalls: it is very lively and a good way to discover the habits of the inhabitants of the city.

5 things to do in Toulouse
Culinary specialties: Cassoulet

Match at the Stade Toulousein

Sunset over the Garonne River

Galeries Lafayette Toulouse

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1. Taste the culinary specialties : Toulouse is very famous for its cuisine and especially for two typical dishes, foie gras and cassoulet. For the latter, two of the most famous restaurants are Chez Emile and La Cave au Cassoulet
2. Watch a match at the Stade Toulousein : check for a rugby match at the stadium. His team is one of the strongest in Europe!
3. Sunset over the river : when the sun is about to set, make sure you arrive on the banks of the Garonne river in time and admire the spectacle, with the sky turning red and the lights of the bridges and the city slowly coming on
4. Street Art places : Toulouse is a city that offers wonderful surprises in every corner! So keep your eyes peeled when you walk, especially in the Arnaud-Bernard quarter, you will encounter wonderful works on the walls
5. The best view from the Lafayette Gallery : this gallery on its top has a rooftop terrace from which you have probably the best view over Toulouse! Be sure to drop by

What to see in Toulouse in one day
In one day you can stroll through the historic center, taste the famous Cassoulet toulousain, also visit some of the most beautiful churches and with a little organization also a fantastic museum. Here is the one day itinerary in Toulouse :

• 9:30 – Saint Sernin Basilica and Carmelite Chapel
• 11:00 – Victor Hugo Market, Place du Capitole, Church of the Jacobins
• 14:30 – Basilica of Our Lady of the Sea Bream
• 15:00 – Hotel d’Assezat (museum of the Bemerg Foundation)
• 17:00 – New Bridge, Saint Cypryen district, Hotel Dieu Saint Jacques
• 19:00 – Saint Pierre Square

Plan your stay in Toulouse: flights and hotels

• How to get there: Toulouse is served by Blagnac Airport (flights from € 80.00).
• Where to sleep: For those who love nightlife, the Vieux Toulouse District, which is the historic center, is ideal for staying overnight and enjoying all the attractions within easy reach (Hotels and b & bs from € 45.00 per room). Those who prefer a quieter neighborhood can opt for the equally good Quieter neighborhood of St. Sernin instead.
• Getting around : getting around the city is easy because most of the attractions are within walking distance; in any case, the public transport network is very efficient, but we advise you to use it especially for long distances.
• What to do with children : we recommend visiting the many museums full of educational itineraries, the gardens with play areas and candy stands, and finally the inevitable tourist train that leaves from Place du Capitole.