Toulouse City Guide
A Roman town from 120-100BC and the capital of the Visigoth empire in the fifth century, it then passed into the domain of the Francs and resisted Arab conquests. After Charlemagne, it was governed by counts, but its distance from the seat of power gave it a large degree of independence.
From the ninth to the 13th centuries, Toulouse was the seat of one of the most beautiful courts of Europe, one where refinement flourished and local influences took hold (among them the development of the literature of the Langue d'Oc, the tradition of the troubadors, and so on).
This rich heritage can be seen on every street corner in Toulouse, from magnificent Roman and gothic churches to hotels particuliers (private mansions) dating back to the 16th century and fascinating museums and archaeological sites.
Today this modern city counts almost 500,000 inhabitants and is driven by its leading aeronautical industry and ‘sky tourism' (the Cité de l'Espace is one of Toulouse's most popular attractions). Toulouse has a big student population (the second in France after Paris), and this means it is a youthful, energetic city with a vibrant nightlife.
Toulouse is also a green city to live in, with many parks, gardens and squares in which to enjoy its warm Mediterranean sunshine (over 2,000 hours a year on average). Going for a stroll along the River Garonne, or for a cycle along the Canal du Midi maybe, are great ways to spend an afternoon before tucking into some of the hearty local cuisine.
Tours of Toulouse
Fresh ideas are just one click away...
Travel Deals for Toulouse
-
Finland Activity & adventure holidays Finnish Lapland has enormous areas of untouched wilderness and mile upon mile of wild rolling fells. This vast open countryside, sparkling in the winter sunshine, just begs to be explored by
-
Orlando Adrenaline Whether you’re enjoying the hair-raising delights of the world’s only flying rollercoaster called Manta at SeaWorld or racing through the Everglades on an airboat in search of alligators, one thing’s for
-
Cambodia Luxury holidays Today Cambodia is symbolised by awesome Angkor Wat, the largest man-made religious structure in the world. However, Cambodia is also home to some of the finest boutique hotels in the world
-
Laos Inspire Me When the French colonised Indochina they had a saying: "The Vietnamese grow the rice, the Cambodians watch the rice grow, and the Lao people listen to the rice grow." This is
-
Vietnam Cultural breaks Vietnam is a country with a rich and varied history that is now firmly focused on her bright future. This is why it has become one of the hottest destinations for
-
Dominican Republic Family holidays The Dominican Republic has soared in popularity as a tropical hotspot for families seeking sun, sand and an affordable holiday in the Caribbean. The island's main attraction is magnificent golden sand
Quick links
