Toulouse City Guide

The capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region in southwest France, Toulouse, the ‘Pink City' (thus named because of the colour of the brick many of its buildings are made of), is a city at the crossroad between tradition and modernity.

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.