Best Things To Do in Toulouse

Close to the Spanish border, a wonderful getaway awaits you in Toulouse. It is known as the Pink City because of the characteristic colour of its brick houses and buildings, which contrast with the Garonne River. Here you're guaranteed to have fun, eat well and accompany every great plan with a glass of wine.

Soak up French culture in its urban vineyards or sign up for an afternoon of Apéro with friends like a local would. There are also museums, bike tours, tuk tuk rides and trips to old towns and villages. Here's a guide to the must-sees.

When you arrive in Toulouse, you shouldn't waste any time. After a short rest in your accommodation, you can set off to familiarise yourself with the local charms. A good starting point is the heart of the city, near the Place du Capitole. From there, soak up its history and vibrant atmosphere to discover such wonders as Toulouse Cathedral, the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Musée des Jacobins.

There's a lot to see, so it might be best to book a guided tour of Toulouse. This kind of experience can be personalised to have a tailor-made itinerary. It seems to me the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten track and combine it with gastronomic stops of your choice.

Place du Capitole

This is often the starting point for guided tours, as it connects to several important streets. Some of the main tourist attractions await you here, such as the National Theatre and the Toulouse City Hall. The atmosphere of this square is spectacular day and night and it is believed that all roads usually end here.

If you have time, take advantage of the free entrance to the Capitol and delight in its historic rooms which house works of art, busts of famous people and other wonders that immerse you in the history of Toulouse. At night, it is illuminated with a light show, while on Saturdays, a market is held right in front of it.

Toulouse Cathedral

One of the stops I suggest you include is the Toulouse Cathedral, also known as the Saint-Étienne Cathedral. It has an original design and upon entering it is impossible to ignore the baroque altar and 14th century stained glass windows. It has a wonderful history, as the first records of this church date back to 844 in a charter from Charles II of France.

Throughout history it has undergone several modifications and restorations as a result of wars, fires and other historical events that left the cathedral in ruins. It also has a beautiful bell tower, whose shape resembles a swallow's nest.

Saint-Sernin Basilica

If you would like to visit the resting place of Saint Saturnin, the patron saint of Toulouse, then you must go to the Basilica of Saint-Sernin. This is one of the largest Romanesque temples in France and its features include the high altar, the bell tower and the tiered chapels.

Cycling through the Pink City is something everyone should do at least once. There are countless bike stations scattered around Toulouse, so you can rent by the hour or day and take advantage of the bike lanes to avoid the traffic and crowds.

You could start with the Canal du Midi, an ancient path surrounded by lush vegetation where you'll see boats at anchor and the depths of the canal of the two seas. It's so called because it connects the Garonne River with the Mediterranean Sea. And if you decide to go with a guide you could go as far as the Malpas Tunnel and cross the Ponts Jumeaux, a series of bridges designed to interconnect the whole city.

If you go further you can reach fields of sunflowers and vineyards. You'll also pass through its locks, of which I think the one that will take your breath away is the Fonseranes lock for its incomparable beauty. In general, there are different routes you can take to see the city's must-sees, as well as its squares and hidden corners. But, without a doubt, crossing Pont Neuf and Quai de la Daurade will leave you with the best memories of the Garonne river.

This city is full of cobbled streets and historical monuments that are well worth a visit. And if you don't want to miss anything, you can always book a bike tour of Toulouse. A local guide will provide you with relevant information as you go along and you'll have an optimised itinerary to cycle through many places in record time.

A gastronomic stop is always a good idea, especially in a city rich in flavours and traditions like Toulouse. You could start at the Victor Hugo Market, which is covered and welcomes you with a bustling atmosphere and a myriad of stalls inviting you to eat until you drop. Here the aromas are irresistible and you can browse fresh produce including fruit, cheese and the legendary Toulouse sausage.

Toulouse gastronomy comes alive at this market and you can take advantage of food and wine tastings at the 80 or so stalls, so it's hard to decide where to eat or which ones are worth a visit.

Hiring a food tour can help you get to know the best market stalls while a guide introduces you to the culinary scene. At each stop, he or she will tell you about the recipes and origins of each dish. You can also watch a Cassoulet being slowly cooked in a clay pot while you discover why it is considered the star dish of the local gastronomy.

On your way out, don't forget to go to your Apéro, a French tradition very similar to the tapas evenings in Spain. French people gather in the main squares and cafés to relax and socialise with friends and family over drinks such as wine, vermouth or cocktails and cheese boards, pastries, charcuterie and other snacks.

Of course, you can't leave Toulouse without visiting the old town and wandering through its charming neighbourhoods. Although walking is fun, there comes a point in your holiday when you just can't do it anymore. And this seems to me the perfect excuse to add a different activity, like booking a tuk tuk tour of Toulouse. You'll board an electric vehicle that glides easily through the traffic and hidden alleyways.

You'll reach the main sights of the old town, where the main shopping streets, cobbled houses and the Carmes district, famous for its flea market, wine bars and palate-pleasing stops, await you.

You can also visit little-known places and emblematic areas such as the Saint-Cyprien district. In the past it was a pilgrimage area and a hiding place for exiles. Nowadays, it enchants with its cosmopolitan atmosphere facing the river, especially in summer.

The wines of Toulouse are famous, as it has been a wine-growing region since the Middle Ages. Several regions promote the cultivation of négrette, a grape that is characterised by its mild taste and balanced acidity and is perfect to accompany cheeses and lean meats. There are different types of wines and I recommend you to enjoy a varied tasting that includes:

• Malbec: it is a robust wine that uses black fruits such as Carignan (black cherry or black plum) and spices that add a unique flavour. The main production comes from the neighbouring city of Cahors.
• Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon: they are wines from Madiran that stand out for their powerful flavour achieved with exotic fruits, leather and spices.
• Gaillac wines: they are a selection of wines that can be white (Sauvignon and Muscadelle) or red (Braucol and Duras).
• Négrette: produced mostly in Fronton, although there is production in Toulouse at the Domaine de Candie vineyard. You will be delighted by the explosive flavours of its grapes combined with red fruits such as strawberries and cherries.

In the city there are plenty of wine bars, urban vineyards and wine cellars that offer an enjoyable experience. Booking a wine tour of Toulouse is the best way to enjoy a careful selection of regional wines.

The tour is led by an expert guide, who will share with you enriching details about the winemaking process and wine traditions of the region. Stops are usually offered at 2 or 3 emblematic wine bars with wine tasting and aperitifs.

If you are looking for a different experience make sure you buy tickets for Halle de la Machine. It's a cultural, artistic and leisure space that offers workshops and a children's museum, as well as exhibits that help you understand how its attractions are created. It is ideal to go with family or friends, as you will be able to enjoy several mechanical attractions. Among the most popular are:

• Minotaur Asterion ride: it is a giant 14-metre high machine that you can climb on to enjoy adrenaline-filled movements. On its back it carries a two-storey Greek temple and incorporates special effects that make the attraction more exciting.
• Giant Spider: Ariadne the spider awaits you to delight you with a fun-filled show. Keep your eyes peeled for her graceful movements that allow her to climb and rise up to a height of 20 metres.
• Giant's Track: Here you can see minotaurs and other mechanical mythological figures in action.

Please note that some tickets do not include the minotaur ride, the Carré Sénart Rotunda and the workshops, as these are often subject to an additional fee.

This city has several museums that you will enjoy and you can't miss the Aeroscopia Museum of Toulouse, which will arouse your curiosity about aviation. You can enjoy an exhibition of more than 40 aircraft including the Airbus A300B and the Super Guppy.

You can even see the inside of a Concorde, a type of plane that was considered the fastest in the world and which stars such as Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson flew in. On board it was possible to get from New York to London in three hours, offering an almost supersonic experience. Each has its own story and here you can discover it with an informative audio guide.

There are also interactive experiences, such as a simulator that allows you to experience a close-up aviation experience. There are multimedia exhibits, touch screens and the chance to see the inside of a military cargo plane. It's the ideal place to feel like a pilot as you discover the innovations of aviation.

Buying tickets for the Aeroscopia Aeronautical Museum in advance gives you access to all areas and saves you time at the ticket office.

You could take some time to explore the most beautiful gardens in Toulouse and disconnect from the more touristy areas. There are different proposals and among my favourites are:

• Japanese Garden: in this oasis of nature you'll find a pretty accurate replica of the Japanese gardens in Kyoto. I am sure you will be breathless when you see its ponds, bridges and the variety of Asian plants.
• Royal Garden: it is a complete spectacle for those who enjoy nature. And I find its central fountain ideal for relaxing or having a picnic with friends. Among its trees are hidden some sculptures and it attracts many tourists during autumn and summer.
• Jardin des Plantes: you have to visit this garden if you are travelling with the kids, as it has different areas for them. It also offers an enriching experience that introduces you to the world of medicinal herbs and exotic plants.

If you're in Toulouse for a few days, make the most of a visit to the Cité de l'Espace, known to locals as the Cité de l'Espace. It is an ideal theme park for exploring space and the secrets of astronomy. Among its main attractions are life-size models and replicas of the Ariane 5 rocket, the Mir space station and Soyuz spacecraft modules.

It has two planetariums and you can't miss a show about the cosmos to feel like you're flying through the universe. You can learn a little about Voyager 1, the first to come this far from Earth, and how NASA regained contact with the spacecraft.

Don't miss a stop at Terradome, an attraction that recreates a semi-sphere where you can see the Big Bang and the Solar System. There are also immersive 3D cinema experiences and simulators that take you to walk on the moon, witness a rocket launch or enjoy space missions from the International Space Station.

A short distance from Toulouse awaits you in Albi, a fascinating city that will transport you back to the Middle Ages. Its architectural beauty does not go unnoticed and along the way you can take advantage of quick stops in ancient villages such as Cordes sur Ciel.

Upon arrival, the first thing you should do is wander through its cobbled streets and explore the historic centre, home to the famous Sainte-Cécile Cathedral, the largest brick cathedral in the world. You'll be able to explore at your own pace and make strategic stops at its most iconic landmarks, such as the Berbie Palace and the Toulouse Lautrec Museum.

Many people prefer to book a tour to Albi from Toulouse, as they often include sightseeing bus transfers and discounts for unmissable activities such as museums, tours and entrance fees to monuments.

• Climate: summers in Toulouse tend to be hot, while winters are characteristically mild and rainy.
• Courtesy: be sure to say Bonjour when entering shops and restaurants, it is highly valued by the locals.
• Safety: In general it is a safe and tourist-friendly city, but there are some areas to avoid such as Mirail and Matabiau. These are unsafe neighbourhoods due to crime and clandestine activities, especially at night.