Attractions in Toulouse, France

Toulouse known as the Ville rose, means 'Pink City'. It is situated in the Midi-Pyrenees region, which falls in the south-west region of France. The city is 730 km away from Paris and is situated on the banks of the beautiful river Garonne, in between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The city bordering Spain is full of friendly people and interesting, ancient architecture. There are a lot of tourist attractions both inside and nearby the city of Toulouse. Let's explore some of the attractions in Toulouse that you must not miss on your tour of this beautiful city.

Monuments

Place du Capitole
Capitole is the heart of the city. It used to be the head office of the magistrate, but today it serves as the the town hall and the Capitole theater. It is the best example of 19th century architecture, along with the works of Jean-Paul Laurens and Henry Martin. The square outside, is surrounded by red-bricked buildings and the ground marked with the Toulouse cross. The market situated here is full of various items. Just across the square, there are various street cafes under beautiful stone canopies.

Eglise des Jacobins
To the west of the Place du Capitole, is this Gothic church of the Jacobins. It has 1307 cloisters and the tower is built on the model of the Saint-Sernin. It has a two-aisled nave and the remains of the great saint, Thomas Aquinas was buried here in the year 1974. The place is worth visiting for its ancient architecture and religious significance.

Le Bazacle
Situated on the banks of the river Garonne, Le Bazacle is an old bridge that is now a well-known tourist spot. This was the first bridge built in the 12th century on the river Garonne, where the water was never too deep. Later mills were built on the river. These mills were the most powerful in the world by the end of the 16th century. Both ancient and modern turbines are present here, and that too still in working condition.

Basilique de la Daurade
The place got its name after the golden mosaics. This was a Roman temple but was later on converted into a Christian church. The construction of the present building was being done for over a century. It is the best example of ancient French architecture, with those heavy columns that support a triangular pediment and a classical stone facade. This is a very beautiful sight with elegant chapels and a brick nave.

Museums

Cite de l'Espace
In French, the term means 'space city'. It is a theme park that also consists of the planetarium. It provides a good insight on space adventures and even on the history of space, right from the Big Bang to the whole solar system. It was inaugurated in the year 1997. They recently included a special area totally dedicated to children, known as 'la Base des Enfants'.

Musee des Augustins
This museum is situated in a Gothic convent and boasts of having a huge collection of paintings and sculptures from the medieval times to the 20th century. These sculptures represent the Occitan culture. There are many paintings of famous French artists and especially Toulouse-based painters like - Guercino, Rubens, etc. It is an eye-catching treat for every art lover.

Jardin des Plantes
This basically means, 'garden of plants' and was crowned the first botanical garden ever created in the city of Toulouse. It is spread across an area of seven acres. Today it is known as 'Jardin Botanique Henri Gaussen'. Jardin des Plantes is situated in the downtown area near the Canal du Midi, very close to 'The National History Museum'.

Other Important Places

Canal du Midi
This canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet, it took over a decade and more than 12000 workers to build this canal. This canal stretches almost 241 km. It is believed to be one of the masterpieces of Louis XIV's reign. Try to walk along this miraculous canal, which is now a world heritage site (UNESCO) and explore southern France, in your own special way!

Fondation Bemberg
This beautiful mansion was built in 1555 for Pierre Assezat, a rich pastel merchant. Presently it has the personal collections of Georges Bemberg. It's mainly the renaissance of the 17th century France. Many significant moments from the history of France are presented here in the form of sculptures.

There are many other historical sites and museums that you can visit such as - Les Abattoirs, Cathedrale Saint Etienne, the Parc du Ramier (which is a small island), etc. You can also plan day trips to other places near the city of Toulouse.

The people of Toulouse are extremely proud of their rich heritage. They will surely welcome you with open hearts and a big friendly smile. All you have to do is pack your bags and get going to the beautiful city of Toulouse. Voyage Heureux!!!