Practical Information > Toulouse and around

Toulouse has everything! All that’s missing is you. 

In the heart of the South-West of France, Toulouse is an urban area that boasts multiple attributes that seduce entrepreneurs and travellers alike. It combines a strong economic outlook, stunningly beautiful heritage, a rich culture, high-quality gastronomy… Knowledgeable and also vibrant, this is all thanks to a sun-kissed climate and a local temperament that is always inclined to celebrate and create joy.  

To ensure you don’t miss a thing, dare to explore the city we like to call the Ville Rose. What awaits you? Adventure! The adventure of aviation, of Space and of science, but also your own adventure, one which will be filled with heart stopping moments. 

 For further information, please visit Toulouse Tourist Office and What to do in Toulouse?

 You can also look at this map of Toulouse and this magazine for ideas for visits.

Quite a history 

Whether you are visiting Toulouse for the very first time or you are a regular, the beauty of the Ville Rose is always astounding. Its architecture is dominated by brickwork and Roman tiles, three sites feature on the UNESCO World Heritage list, its museums recount two thousand years of history, around one hundred private mansion houses recall the charm of the Golden Age of pastel, this unusual plant that was grown in the XVI Century for its blue pigment…without forgetting the allure of its well-preserved façades and narrow streets.  

Take your time. 

The Ville Rose is convivial: we love to stroll through the market or past the boutiques, linger on the terrace of a café and settle in at table. Whether at a Toulouse wine cellar, a local café, one of the ten Michelin star eateries or in the home of a local, the city can also be explored on a plate. Toulouse does all its shopping in the region and showcases the numerous high-quality local products. To name just a few specialities: foie gras, cassoulet, Toulouse sausage, cheese from the Pyrenees and wines from the South-West, to be found at market stalls or taken to new heights by our chefs. 

Effervescent 

Close to Spain, Toulouse is a youthful city, active and bustling. Night owls and culture vultures should know that not a day goes by without an unmissable event occurring! You should experience the festive ambiance of a concert on the street or a soirée at a guinguette bistro by the Garonne, take in a rugby match with Stade Toulousain, admire the often ephemeral graffiti created at the Rose Béton or Latino Graff festivals, lose yourself in the crowd at the Rio Loco or Bikini festivals or attend a lively parade during the Carnival. 

The scientific adventure. 

From the Éole of Clément Ader to the A380 and A350, Toulouse knows how to be daring and is worthy of its title as global capital of aeronautics. Visitors themselves will have the opportunity to awaken their curiosity. The Universe is on display at the Cité de l’Espace, the exploits of legendary aircraft can be explored at the assembly lines of Airbus, at the Aeroscopia Museum or at the new Runway of Giants site. Finally, the possibilities for having fun with science are endless at Le Muséum and the Quai des Savoirs. 

An Occitan capital 

Toulouse is the capital of the Occitanie region and its geographical location lends itself perfectly to escaping the urban environment in order to discover numerous exceptional sites, listed as « Grands Sites Occitanie » or « Most Beautiful Villages in France ». Montpellier, Albi, Carcassonne, but also the Pyrenees… the treasures of history and architecture, as well as the breathtaking natural scenery, are all yours. 

Toulouse Métropole in figures 

• 4th largest city in France