La dolce vita in Toulouse, the pink city

Budget

  • Accommodation from 110€ (barge hotel) or 60€/night (regular hotel) for 2 ppl.

Themes

  • Everything you need to experience the Toulouse lifestyle.

  • Markets, food & drink, shops.

  • Bike ride along the Canal du Midi.

  • Quirky and eco-friendly accommodation.

the best period

Spring, Summer, and Autumn

duration

3 days

Toulouse, the buzzing capital of Occitanie, is best visited on a leisurely stroll around the lanes and squares in its pedestrian old town or a bike ride from the Garonne dykes to the Canal du Midi. Join our experts to soak up the lifestyle in a Southern French city that's all about community, diversity, energy and innovation. 

Settling in Toulouse: barge or hotel?

Settle into your quirky B&B in the pink city: La Péniche Amboise. Your home from home in a 60s barge moored along the Canal du Midi is just what you need as the city centre is just 10 minutes away and has bags of surprises in store.

Would you prefer to stay somewhere more "classic"?

Our experts recommend Hôtel Albert 1er. This small and friendly hotel is conveniently just 2 minutes from the Capitole and has an eco-friendly policy with a focus on local sales channels, organic produce and zero waste. 

 

Dive into the youthful and buzzing Toulouse nightlife

Once a month in summer, the Marché Victor Hugo hosts night markets on Thursdays. It's a great way to rub shoulders with the locals and get a feel for the city with its Southern French party atmosphere as you sample the amazing nibbles served by market traders.

If you're not here during the night market season: have a drink or bite to eat on the docks or banks of the Garonne in La Daurade, Place Saint-Pierre or the pop-up bars by or on the water. Back to your hotel.

Walk in the historic center: the adventures of Toulouse

After your "homemade" organic breakfast served on the deck or in the dining room, hit Place du Capitole to soak up the city and get a snapshot of the 2000 year history that has made Toulouse what it is. Just walk beneath the arcades and look up at the Moretti "Galerue": a gallery of frescoes painted on the arcade ceilings depicting the city's milestones from the Roman city of Tolosa to the A380 airbus.

Use it to find your favourite terrace so you can come back for an evening drink and watch the lively locals enjoying themselves

Treasure hunt in Toulouse
and lunch break

From here, visit Tourist Information behind the Town Hall for a quirky or fun-filled guided tour of the old town. Just take the Explorad’Oc eco-friendly rally or Pays d’Oc costumed tours. These interactive tours see your guide share unique stories and help you solve puzzles so you can unravel the city.

It's time for lunch: head to the restaurant terraces at Marché Victor Hugo. Join locals and market shoppers after they've done their groceries. This is the beating heart of the city.

 

Shopping in the streets of Toulouse... or a well-being break?

Spend the afternoon in the bustling high street hunting down signature Toulouse products such as woad where you'll learn everything there is to know about how the plant is used to make dye and cosmetics.

If you fancy it, head to the luxury La Cour des Consuls for a spa session & woad-based treatments (booking required).

Stop on the terrace and choice of restaurant

When it comes to eating out in Toulouse, you're spoilt for choice. Depending on the weather you could have dinner in a restaurant with a vaulted brick cellar dining room, a classic in the pink city, or an al fresco meal on Place Saint-Georges, famous for its boho vibes.

Have a nightcap on Place du Capitole. It's a night to remember!

 

Cycling day along the Canal du Midi

A day out cycling by the canal (15, 20km or more… head back when you like). Hire a bike from your bike-friendly "Accueil vélo" hotel or pick up a vélotoulouse bike from one of the 250 self-service stations in the city before hitting the road for a day cycling along the Canal du Midi. "Live like a local" and join runners and fellow cyclists out on Saturday morning to make the most of the weekend. Make sure you pick up regional produce from one of the Toulouse markets for your picnic lunch before you set off.

Head towards Ramonville on the canalside bike path, cool off in the shade of the age-old plane trees, gaze at the barges and greet the locals living in their houseboats.

 

A fabulous rendezvous with the Minotaur!

It's time to head back so when you come to a bridge, take a break from the canal to visit Halle de la Machine 800m away.

Take your fabulous voyage into another dimension as you join an adventure on Astérion the Minotaur's back, straight from the off-the-wall imagination of Compagnie La Machine.

During the adventure (booking required) you can chat with the engineers who will whisk you away into their fantasy world of magical beasts and creatures. A drink at the Halle de la Machine bar is a must to bring you back down to earth.

 

Toulouse at sunset

Back in the city, leave the canal at Le Grand Rond and take the Allées Jules Guesde to the Garonne's banks for a final flourish: the brick dykes meet beneath the late afternoon sunshine. Now you see why Toulouse is called the pink city! The Prairie des Filtres is the best spot to see the show. Recharge your batteries and watch (or dance) a sensational salsa… aficionados get together here on Sunday afternoons to indulge their passion in the fresh air!

Head back to your accommodation and have dinner (if you went for an al fresco meal last night then go to a vaulted cellar tonight or vice versa).

 

From Toulouse, extend your discovery

From Matabiau station: connections available in Albi, Cordes-sur-Ciel, Auch, Foix or Carcassonne (50 minute train ride) and you can take your bike on any TER regional train at no extra cost.   

 

 

How to get there?

  • By car: on the A61, A62, A64 motorways.

  • By train: Toulouse-Matabiau station in the city centre.

  • By plane: Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is 8km from the city centre which you can reach by tram, shuttle bus or bus.

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