Best things to do in Toulouse
In the depths of the Occitanie region, on the banks of the River Garonne lies the fourth largest city of France –Toulouse, aka La Ville Rose. While it lacks a list of big must-do sights, the beauty of Toulouse lies in its relaxed pace of life. This is the perfect city to enjoy the everyday rhythm of life in France: wonderful markets, beautiful architecture, a fabulous gastronomy scene which includes one of the most famous wine bars in the world plus it is relatively affordable compared to Paris or Nice.
1. Have a Coffee and Watch the People Go by in Place du Capitole
This is Toulouse’s central square, overlooked by a grand neoclassical palace replete with elaborate frescoes. The Capitole houses the city hall, the Theatre du Capitole de Toulouse opera company, and the Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse. The brick and marble facade looks equally pretty by day, or lit up at night. The place to grab a coffee here is the iconic Grand Café Le Florida — for the location, prices are decent and the view is magic.
2. Visit the Famous Palm Tree of Toulouse in the Convent des Jacobins
You can discover the beauty of the famous palm tree of Toulouse in the beautiful Dominican Church, the Convent des Jacobins. A number of slender columns support the vaulted Gothic roof of the lofty church. One of the columns supports the 22 ribs of the vaulted roof of the choir, giving rise to an ornate structure resembling a palm tree.
3. Admire the Pastel Blue Shutters and Doors of Toulouse
Despite being known as the pink city, the pastel blue shutters and doors of Toulouse’s homesteads will catch your eye on your city wanders. Dating all the way back to the Renaissance, native traders of Toulouse developed a trade in ‘cocagne’ — little balls of pastel blue derived from a yellow-flowered plant that yielded a blue dye. These were highly coveted by the aristocracy of Toulouse, Albi and Carcassonne, bringing unprecedented wealth into the area.
4. Visit the Sunday Flea Market on the Banks of the Garonne
If the weather is nice, gravitate towards the banks of the Garonne where you will be greeted by the magnificent image of the Pont Saint Pierre. Take a few moments to soak in the view and then walk further up the river. On a Sunday there is a wonderful flea market here, brimming with wonderful old outlandish objects and the eccentric personalities that you always tend to associate with these type of markets.
5. Try the Flavours at Sorbet D’Amour
Just around the corner from the market, pop by the excellent Sorbet D’Amour gelateria. The flavours here are anything but ordinary — think Plum Armagnac, Caramel with Sea Salt and even Tarte Tatin.
6. Pick up a Macaron at Au Poussin Bleu
Address: 5 Rue du Languedoc, 31000 Toulouse
Toulouse’s oldest patisserie has been serving sweet-toothed locals since 1931. Known for their cakes and chocolates, their speciality are their macarons — flavours include pistachio, Nutella, raspberry, salted caramel and almond paste.
7. Sample Cassoulet at Maison Garcia
Toulouse is the home of the classic French dish cassoulet — a slow-cooked casserole of white beans, pork, famous Toulouse sausages and confit de canard. My tip is to have the cassoulet from the butcher Maison Garcia, inside the Marché Victor Hugo, France’s oldest covered market. In existence since 1961, when the family fled the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, Maison Garcia is famed for its rillettes, hams, saucisson sec and Toulouse sausage. Their cassoulet won the Best Cassoulet in the World Award in 2024 — no mean feat!
8. Have a Glass of Wine in the Unique N°5 Wine Bar
Elected the Best Wine Bar in the World in June 2017 by The World of Fine Wine, the ambience of the N°5 Wine Bar is to die for, as are its formidable range of fine wines. Either choose from a range of pre-selected wines by the glass or by the bottle, accompanied by aptly paired finger foods.
9. Be an Astronaut for a Day at Cité de l’espace
Cité de l’Espace, or City of Space, is a wonderful theme park situated on the eastern outskirts of Toulouse. It is the perfect place to spend a day having fun with the family. A number of outdoor and indoor exhibits and installations dot the park, from full-scale models of the Ariane 5 rocket to the Mir space station and Soyuz models. Highlights include a 280-seat planetarium and a 300-seat IMAX cinema.
10. Take a Walk or Bike Ride along the Canal du Midi
Linking Toulouse to the Mediterranean, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Canal du Midi is a real escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Wander along the towpath under the shade of tall plane trees, or rent a bike and follow the canal out of the city at your own pace — this is one of the best slow travel experiences you’ll find in the south of France. Start at the Port de l’Embouchure, where three canals meet, and take it from there. If you have more time, you can even hop on a boat and explore further.
Further reading
Best tips for travelling Europe
Where to eat in Bordeaux on a budget
