Toulouse Vacation Ideas for Planning an Itinerary
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Toulouse Vacation Ideas for Planning an Itinerary
[/video-title][video-blue-header]When travelers think of Toulouse, if they’re not from Europe chances are they think of the famous French artist Toulouse-Lautrec. France’s fourth-largest city is every bit as colorful and charismatic as the post-impressionist painter, and is the perfect French vacation destination for those looking for culture without the crowds. So pour yourself an aperitif, sit back and feast upon the stunning footage in our Toulouse travel video, then use this article to find great Toulouse vacation ideas, and create your own French itinerary around La Ville Rose!
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Ideas of places to visit in Toulouse
Toulouse is in Southern France, around halfway between the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and around 2 hours’ drive from the ski resorts of the Pyrenees. Known throughout France as la Ville Rose (the Pink City), due to the reddish hues of its famous brickwork, Toulouse is filled with attractions that span the ages. Explore museums featuring Celtic and Roman treasures, galleries presenting Renaissance and Impressionist masterpieces and museums dedicated to the city’s ongoing contribution to aerospace innovation.
Church of the Jacobins
(01:16 in the video) When planning your Toulouse vacation, follow the itinerary of centuries of pilgrims. Pay your respects at the Church of the Jacobins, the final resting place of St. Thomas Aquinas. While here, be sure to climb the bell tower, which offers heavenly views over Toulouse’s Old Town, the Garonne River and beyond.
Basilica of Saint-Sernin
(01:37 in the video) Visit the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, the largest Romanesque church in France. An important pilgrimage stop for those walking the Camino de Santiago to Spain, the basilica houses a vast collection of holy relics, including a fragment of what is said to be the True Cross.
Toulouse Cathedral
(02:04 in the video) Another must-see attraction in Toulouse is Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Toulouse, aka Toulouse Cathedral, one of France’s most unusual and best-loved churches. Walk around the cathedral’s exterior and admire the mix of architectural styles before stepping inside to see the ethereal glow of the rose window.
Capitole
(02:39 in the video) The heart of Toulouse is its magnificent Capitole. Enjoy a coffee at one of the many cafes in Place du Capitole and admire this pink neoclassical masterpiece, which is home to the city’s town hall and the opera house. Inside the Capitole, admire stately rooms and halls adorned with paintings depicting great moments from the history of Toulouse.
Museum Saint-Raymond
(02:52 in the video) Another must-see for history lovers visiting Toulouse is the Museum Saint-Raymond. Highlights of the museum include an incredible collection of Roman busts and relief panels depicting the Labors of Hercules, unearthed at a Roman villa outside Toulouse.
Augustins Museum
(03:18 in the video) More historical and artistic treasures await at the Musée des Augustins, an unmissable stop on any Toulouse itinerary. Explore the Gothic halls, staircases and cloisters of this 14th-century former convent, which houses an awe-inspiring collection of paintings and sculptures from the Middle Ages to the early 1900s.
Hôtel d’Assézat
(04:15 in the video) During the Renaissance Toulouse was the center of trade in pastel, a blue dye much sought after in the textile industry. Visit Hôtel d’Assézat, an opulent 16th-century mansion built by one of Toulouse’s most successful pastel merchants. Today the mansion is home to the Bemberg Foundation, which presents an incredible collection of fine art that ranges from period furniture to works by Picasso.
Aeroscopia Aeronautical Museum & Cité de l’espace
(04:28 in the video) There’s more to Toulouse than just the arts! Discover the city’s exciting aeronautical heritage at the Aeroscopia Aeronautical Museum, which takes you on a journey from the first days of flight to the latest creations of Airbus, designed and manufactured right in Toulouse. Then visit Cité de l’espace to learn how Toulouse is helping humankind explore space.
Jardin Royal & Jardin des Plantes
(05:11 in the video) After exploring the heavens, ground yourself in the earthly delights of Toulouse’s many fine gardens and parks. Then enjoy other simple pleasures, like shopping at Victor Hugo Market to buy local specialties for a picnic on the banks of the River Garonne.
Needing more inspiration?
Keen to sample even more of the flavors of Toulouse before you book your flights and accommodation? No problem. Check out Expedia’s gallery where you’ll find incredible images from this fabulous Occitan city and from all over the globe. We also have hundreds of other vacation travel guide videos from other destinations, so be sure to subscribe to Expedia’s YouTube channel. Whether it’s sunlit beaches or snow-capped mountaintops you’re looking for, we’re here to help your vacation dreams become reality!
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