Location: Toulouse
Top Things to do in Toulouse
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10 Things to do in Toulouse That You Shouldn't Miss
The southern France city of Toulouse is a study in contrasts. Visit the Academie des Jeux Floraux, the oldest literary society in the western world, as well as the Galerie du Chateau d'eau, the world's first photography museum. Stroll the Garonne, before visiting France's most beautiful pipe organ at the Saint-Sernin Basilica. Yet for all its medieval architecture, Toulouse is a modern city, home to the European aerospace industry, as well as bars and restaurants in bustling Place du Capitole.
Restaurants in Toulouse
1. Basilique Saint-Sernin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,434 reviews
Reviewed By KateJourney - Exeter, Canada
When we decided to explore Toulouse, we headed directly to the Musee d'Archaeologie ...and found it right beside the basilica...so after the museum we toured it as well. A lovely church with and interesting crypt with reliquaries...always great to immerse in local history.
2. Theatre du Capitole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,286 reviews
Reviewed By billand1 - Vienna, Austria
The main hall on the second floor is of unparelleled beauty in terms of design and paintings as well as pictures on the walls. Great history is obvious!
3. Church of Les Jacobins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,610 reviews
Reviewed By kathrynh992 - Sonoma, United States
I visited this historic ( it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the body of St. Thomas Aquinas has been there since 1369) and beautiful church during a Sunday mass. This is an active church with a dedicated congregation. I, along with other visitors, were quiet and respectful of the mass. It was acceptable to very quietly walk the inside perimeter and to unobtrusively take photos (make sure your camera or smart phone is set so that the “click” is silent - the clicking sound when a photo is taken is disruptive). It is difficult to describe the beauty and serenity of this space - the arches, windows, altars, parishioners, and stonework of the structure itself. This is a must-see place.
4. Le Capitole
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,645 reviews
Reviewed By SteveRainville99 - Orlando, United States
This was definitely our favorite spot to be in all of Toulouse! The Capitole building, the surrounding buildings, all the cute little cafes and restaurants, we just had a blast there. This is an absolute must do while in Toulouse!
5. Museum of natural History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 838 reviews
Reviewed By 18philippeb - Toulouse, France
As always, this Museum of Natural History offers a wonderful experience both for adults, teenagers and kids. Following a thorough renovation a couple of years ago, this one is particularly interesting. You learn a lot about the Earth and Universe, plants and animals. It’s educative and a lot of fun. Moreover most of temporary exhibitions are very interesting as “Extinctions”, a great way back in history to understand how why and how species disappeared in the past or may disappear in the future.
6. Quai de la Daurade
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 608 reviews
Reviewed By Climb14ers - Colorado Springs, United States
We took a stroll down the Quai at sunset. There is a place where you can buy beer and wine. We then walked down the length of the Quai. Tons of people also taking advantage of the setting.
7. Pont Neuf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 840 reviews
Reviewed By LokiFreya
This is an attractive bridge in itself and right in the city centre and it’s worth walking out along it when strolling around the Place Esquirol area.
8. Jardin Japonais
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,989 reviews
Reviewed By D0ra2014 - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
My friend and I had a wonderful walk in this splendid spot, a Japanese garden within a public park. It was a delightful experience, a lovely walk on this Sunday afternoon. Worth the search... you will enjoy it! xxx
9. Jardin des Plantes
10. Couvent des Jacobins
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
Reviewed By PhilFGuildford - Leeds, United Kingdom
The Church of the Jacobins has a fascinating history as you would expect from a place of worship that dates back to the 13th century and a significant reason for visiting is the fact that it houses the relics of Thomas Aquinas, who has been described as the medieval church’s greatest scholar; his unfinished Summa Theologiae work made a tremendous impact. And yet some of the site’s history is regrettable; damage caused by Napoleon’s troops here while they used it as a barracks has eroded some of its heritage. Apparently the urine from horses even corroded some of the floor tiles. While sections of original wall painting can still be taken in, one cannot fail to wonder what could have been left had preservation been taken seriously by all of its previous occupants. During my visit I found the interior to be somewhat sparse with predominately bare walls. This is not one of those churches adorned with decorations and religious artworks left, right and centre; in the nave there are huge pillars stretching up to the ceiling and while I was there a variety of coloured lights were shone against them, creating a rainbow effect. There are colourful stain glass windows to take in however. Meanwhile a closer glance at the areas above the interior arches reveals some of the faded decoration which has survived. Some of the best preserved decoration can be found on areas of the ceiling, notably in the chapel of St. Antonin. There are plenty of informative screens which tell us a fascinating history in multiple languages, for instance one of these focuses on Thomas Aquinas. If there is one thing that strikes most visitors to this place, it is surely the sheer height of the vault. Glancing upwards there is a beautifully designed ceiling made out of painted brick, the latter being something that Toulouse is famous for. This is stunning and its patterns are intricate, and yet it is not overwhelming and I feel that there is a simplicity to the design as well. Worth bearing in mind is the Dominican origins of the church; they were a very strict order. The church includes cloisters which are well worth a stroll around. The pillars incorporate stone carvings well above eye level which have clearly survived for hundreds of years; this would appear logical, given what we are told, in that the sections located higher up are out of harm’s way. The gargoyles jutting out from just below the roof are interesting and the tall coniferous trees surrounded by hedges give the garden an attractive appearance. Overall the church is a very worthwhile place to visit for anyone looking to understand religious life in the 13th and 14th centuries, or simply interested in visiting a large, impressive place of worship which is anything but ostentatious.
