The Best Free Activities in Toulouse for When Money Is Tight

Located right in the city center, halfway between the Capitole and the Garonne River, the Jacobins Convent is a marvel of medieval art. From Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., you can visit the church and the Chapel of the Virgin for free. However, admission to the cloister, the chapter house, the Saint-Antonin Chapel, the refectory, and the exhibitions held there regularly will be free only on the first Sunday of the month and every weekend for Toulouse residents with a Muséelibre card. 

The covered markets are bustling hubs of activity right in the heart of Toulouse. There, you can buy fruits and vegetables, meat or fish, cheeses or cold cuts… You can also grab a drink and snack on some tapas with friends. Or you can simply stroll around and marvel at the colors and aromas of the vendors’ stalls. Toulouse has three covered markets that are a must-see: the Saint-Cyprien Covered Market, the Victor Hugo Market, and the Carmes Market.

Among the most beautiful gardens in Toulouse, the Japanese Garden is probably the most hidden. And for good reason—it’s a garden nestled in the heart… of another garden! Designed by former mayor Pierre Baudis during his term in office, it’s located within the Compans-Caffarelli Gardens, north of downtown. Visitors are left speechless by its magnificent red bridge, its lake, and its sublime tea pavilion —features that have earned it a place among France’s most remarkable gardens.

For this activity, you’ll have to resist the temptation to pull out your wallet. But a stroll through the Antique Dealers’ Forumis definitely worth it just for the visual delight! It’s a lively place (especially on Saturdays and Sundays), where you’ll find an endless variety of unique items. When you visit this large warehouse spanning nearly 1,200 m², you can wander through the aisles, chat with the antique dealers, and marvel at the thousands of objects, trinkets, and pieces of furniture steeped in history that are on display!

Every Toulouse resident has walked across its plaza at some point, but have you ever seen the Capitole from the inside? As beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside, this massive complex of several buildings houses—among other things— City Hall, the Hall of Notables, and the Théâtre du Capitole… Discover its spectacular architecture and its historyfull of fascinating anecdotes during free tours of the historic rooms, which take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ( Please note: the rooms will be closed to the public during ceremonies.)

Located in the observatory’s gardens (as its name suggests), this unique spot is a must-see at least once in a lifetime! The main building of this astronomical observatory, founded in 1733 by the Toulouse architect Urbain Vitry, (along with the three domed buildings that make up the complex) is listed as a historic monument. Open to the public every Friday evening(except on lecture nights, which take place once a month), you can visit the observatoryfor free starting at 9:30 p.m. for an evening with your head in the stars! 

In addition to the stations’ standard design (white walls, gray ceilings, pink granite entrances), Tisséo has decided to bring art into the metro by adorning each station with a permanent work of art. As a result, across the 38 stations of the Toulouse metro, 39 works of art are displayed from stop to stop. At Jolimont, for example, fragments of vanished images resembling stained-glass windows adorn the station. At Argoulets, a hanging garden appears to float ten meters above the ground, while at François Verdier, a massive tree featuring numerous castings and engravings finds refuge beneath the staircase. But it is undoubtedly the artwork at Barrière-de-Paris that remains the most impressive: its gigantic steel rods soar to a height of 25 meters!

Overlooking the Garonne River,the EDF Bazacle Centerdedicates its 2,000 m² to knowledge related to the hydroelectric industry, historical heritage, local culture, as well as science education and the biodiversity of the Garonne. A hydroelectric power plant in operation since 1888, it also serves as a museum offering free 45-minute guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. for visitors curious to learn more about energy and biodiversity.

Located on Rue de la Boule—next to Place Saint-Pierre — the Saint-Pierre des Cuisines Auditorium was once a church. Today, this cultural venue with unparalleled acoustics hosts numerous concerts. While most of them require an admission fee, some are occasionally free! So keep a close eye on the schedule and try to snag tickets to enjoy some music without paying!

Culture lovers know this! Since the late 1990s, museums have been free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month. The city of Toulouse is no exception to this rule and opens the doors to its most prestigious museums free of charge. Here is a list of places to visitwithout spending a dime.