Do you feel you’re more Toulouse than most? Sometimes it’s good to revisit the classics and rediscover your city through the eyes of a tourist. And because we’re always on the lookout for the most unusual activities, we can prove to you that Toulouse still has plenty to surprise you. With its hustle and bustle and energy, the Pink City never ceases to amaze and thrill, offering a multitude of things to see and things to do.
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Visit the Capitol
A must-see in Toulouse, we stop for a moment to admire the sign of the zodiac that adorns the imposing Croix Occitane facing the Capitole (a quick photo is in order). Composed of 12 branches, it is also known as the Languedoc Cross. And it would be a shame to pass this landmark building in Toulouse without entering.
From Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 7pm, and on Sundays and public holidays, 10am to 7pm, you can visit the historic rooms of this seat of municipal power, free of charge. Discover painted walls recounting great moments in Toulouse’s history, and the sublime Salle des Illustres.
📍Capitole– Place du Capitole – 31000 Toulouse
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Visit the Basilica of Saint-Sernin
Like a lighthouse in the Pink City, the steeple of the Basilica of Saint-Sernin is an integral part of the cityscape. To get there, we suggest you choose an itinerary that passes by the st. Stephen’s Cathedral (another architectural masterpiece). And once inside, let yourself be dazzled by its rich history.
📍Basilique Saint-Sernin – Pl. Saint-Sernin – 31000 Toulouse
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Stroll through the beautiful Japanese garden
Nestled within the Compans-Caffarelli gardens, north of the city center, you’ll be amazed by its magnificent lake and sublime tea pavilion, which have earned it a place among France’s remarkable gardens (and one of Toulouse’s most beautiful gardens in Toulouse). We especially love its pretty red bridge, which gives it a real charm!
📍JapaneseGarden– Jardin Compans Caffarelli, Boulevard Lascrosses – 31000 Toulouse
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An aperitif on the banks of the Garonne
We suggest you do a little shopping for food and drink. Armed with your victuals, head for the quays of the Garonne. Find the place that inspires you most and sit down with your picnic. From here, you can admire the best of Toulouse. Pont-neuf, pont-de-pierre and the majestic dome of La Grave. A unique moment to enjoy a beautiful sunset in a timeless setting. A moment to read the most surprising Google reviews of the Garonn e. Healthy reading.
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Eat one of Toulouse’s best cassoulets
You dream of eating a good cassoulet? Normally originating in Castelnaudary, this warm and friendly dish has now become inseparable from Toulouse. So we head for Restaurant Émile, where everyone agrees. Indeed, the comments are unanimous: “definitely the best cassoulet I’ve ever eaten”, “top welcome, service and gastronomy”, “a cassoulet worthy of the name”. If you haven’t already, stop everything and go taste it! What’s so special about this address? It has a terrace on the pretty Place Saint-Georges, which we think is one of the prettiest in Toulouse!
📍 Restaurant Émile – 13 Place Saint Georges – 31000 Toulouse
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Spend an evening in one of Toulouse’s nightlife institutions
If we had to name only two institutions of Toulouse’s nightlife, it would be chez Tonton (order a pastis there) or the legendary Couleur de la Culotte to party the night away. And since, as André Gide once said, “to choose is to give up”, we suggest that you kill two birds with one stone by visiting two of Toulouse’s nightlife hotspots, conveniently located right next door to each other.
📍Chez Tonton – 16 Pl. Saint-Pierre, 31000 Toulouse
📍Couleurde la Culotte – 14, Place St-Pierre 31000 Toulouse