Toulouse – A travel guide to the Ville Rose
It is called the “pink city” for the presence of old brick buildings. It is full of young people, clubs and festivals, but also culture and museums. Welcome to Toulouse.
City in the south of France, Toulouse has always been open to foreign influences and cultures. Characterized by a strong Occitan identity, Toulouse perfectly combines the sweetness of a city where life is good and the strength of a metropolis projected towards the future.
The typical pink color of bricks has assigned this nickname to the town, which also has the gift of a unique character. However, Toulouse plays with light and likes to change its colors, offering visitors an ever-renewed figure of its appeal.
But it hasn’t been always this way: in the nineteenth century the walls of the buildings were whitewashed and many remained so until a few years ago. The industrial revolution gave impetus to the development of the city, making it one of the most beautiful in the region and shaping its present ambiance.
The city has a historical centre among the best preserved in Europe. You will be captivated by the beauty and majesty of the scenic Place du Capitole, aka Toulouse’s living room, hosting the Town Hall, where you can visit the Salle des Illustres, a long gallery with beautiful paintings of the Third Republic. In the square, under the arches decorated by Raymond Moretti, you will enjoy a succession of historic cafes from which you can watch the promenade on the banks of the Garonne, with a hot drink or a beer.
Nearby, you can visit the Convent of the Jacobins, a jewel of Gothic art, and the Hôtel d’Assézat, a magnificent mansion that houses the Bemberg Foundation, one of the largest collections of paintings by Bonnard, in addition to works of the Renaissance period. The Musée Les Abattoirs, instead, is dedicated to modern and contemporary art.
Who loves shopping will find wines and spices at the Marché Victor Hugo – the biggest covered market in Toulouse; the Librairie Maldoror – 57, rue du Taur – sells antique books, old newspapers and valuable illustrated cards while the Backstage – 28, rue des Marchands – is a temple of vintage fashion.
Spring and Summer are the best periods to discover Toulouse, its colors and Mediterranean scents, its attractions and appealing venues. The most pleasant way to visit the city is on foot, walking through the medieval streets of the old city and along the banks of the Garonne, UNESCO World Heritage site since 1943. But there are also the charming area of Place Saint-Pierre, full of trendy clubs, and the Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Toulouse (XVII sec.), from where you can enjoy a magnificent view over the hospital Hotel Dieu, another UNESCO World Heritage site which was a a place of welcome in the 16th century for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
Situated near the sea and the Pyrenees, at the junction of authentic territories such as the Gers, the Lot or Ariège, Toulouse is one of the most beautiful cities beyond the Alps, at the top for quality of life.
Photo by Benurs – Learning and learning…
About the Author
Andrea Guerriero Hi, I'm Andrea, a travel blogger, web programmer, seo apprentice and amateur photographer based in Milan. I love reading, I love music. I love to travel but only if I leave on a mission! I've been traveling through most of Europe and I love writing about it. I love photography, especially as a way to document experiences, places, events. My Nikon D300 camera is always with me, and it helps me in sharing my life with the rest of the world. Getting in touch with new people, different life styles and foreign traditions, and write about it, is all I can ask for.
