| Planning a short break to Toulouse? Check out Travel Library's recommended Top 10 Things To Do in Toulouse. It's a perfect companion for weekend city breaks to Toulouse. Once you've been you can add your own tips and suggestions to help other visitors. |
| Top 10 Things in Toulouse on a Short Break |
|
 Basilique St Sernin - Cutural Attraction |
13 place St Sernin. This is the city's top attraction, it was consecrated in 1096, and is the largest and best Romanesque church in Europe. Its outstanding feature is the Porte Miegeville, which opens onto the south aisle and is decorated with 12th century sculptures.
Nearby you can visit the tombs of the comtes de Toulouse.
The church is open everyday from 08h30 - 11h30 and 14h00 - 17h30. Admission is free. |
|
 Le Musee du Vieux Toulouse - Cutural Attraction |
| 7 Rue Du May. This museum is housed in a 17th century town mansion, with pictures and historical records detailing the past history of Toulouse. In the 18th century setting of its salons with a thousand items on display, you can discover the great moments of the city’s past. The museum is open from May to October everyday except Sunday from 14h00 - 18h00; guided tours are on Wednesday and Friday at 15h00. Admission is $2.60. |
|
 Jardin Compans-Caffarelli - Natural Attraction |
| Boulevard Lascrosses. This beautiful park was created in 1981, it has long paths that snake between flowerbeds and ponds that lead up to the Japanese Garden, which is designed like a traditional meditation garden. The artificial hills; raked gravel geometric designs; wooden bridge and a teahouse all create a magical atmosphere. At the far end of the park, there's a large lake, which has a children's playground and a refreshments kiosk. |
|
 Cathedrale St Etienne - Cutural Attraction |
| Place St Etienne, rue de Metz. This is one of the city's major ecclectic buildings. It was built between the 11th century and the 17th century, and some people say it has a mix of styles, but it still has a solemn dignity. The rectangular bell tower dates back to the 16th century. A Gothic choir has been added to its unique ogival nave. The cathedral is open everyday from 08h00 - 19h00. Admission is free. |
|
 La Galerie Municipale du Chateau d'Eau - Cutural Attraction |
Place Laganne. This gallery is housed in the city's former water tower that dates back to 1923. It was founded in 1974 by the Toulouse photographer Jean Dieuzaide, and is one of the most visited and oldest photographic galleries in Europe. The gallery has exhibits on the history of early and contemporary photography. The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 13h00 - 19h00. Admission is $2.75.
For more information visit: www.galeriechateaudeau.org |
|
 La Cite de Espace - Tourist Attraction |
Av. Jean Gonord. This is one of the most popular places in Toulosue, and half a million visitors a year come here to learn about what it must be like to program a satellite's launch into orbit or to maneuver one in space. The centre is a fun place to visit and educational as well, with many life-size structural models, including one of an astronaut riding an exercise bike in zero gravity. The centre is open Tuesday to friday from 09h00 - 18h00; and weekends from 09h00 - 19h00. Admission is $14.40 for adults; $12 for seniors; $11.20 for children 6 - 17; and free for children under 6.
For more information visit: www.cite-espace.com |
|
 Grand Hotel de l'Opera - Hotel |
1 place du Capitole, take the metro to Capitole. This is the most elegant and stylish hotel in Toulouse, and is housed in a former 17th century convent. The hotel's decor consists of early 19th century antiques, with Napoleonic-inspired tenting. The hotel has a range of facilities, including two restaurants; a bar; a health club; a sauna; room service; laundry service; and dry cleaning. The comfortable and stylish rooms all have air-conditioning; TV; minibar; in house movies; safe; hair dryer; and a full bathroom.
For more information visit the hotel's website: www.grand-hotel-opera.com |
|
 Le Pastel - Restaurant or Cafe |
| 237 route de St Simon, take the metro to Basso-Cambo. This luxurious restaurant is housed in a stone-sided manor house built in 1850. The setting is amazing, with terraces filled with flowers and a pair of dining rooms whose walls are accented with paintings by local artists. Menu items change about every 2 weeks, and the wine choices are as comprehensive and sophisticated. Some of the house specialities are pigeon stuffed with pine nuts and dried fruit, served on a bed of braised cabbage; and filet of line-caught sea bass prepared in a minestrone of shellfish. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday from 12h00 - 14h00 and 20h00 - 21h30. |
|
 Observatoire de Jolimont - Tourist Attraction |
| 1 avenue Camille-Flammarion, take the metro to Jolimont. The observatory was built in 1846 and ,along with its gardens, it seems to be lost in time. The pathways are hardly visible and large trees slightly obscure the view from the astronomic telescopes. Since 1973 only non-professionals and schoolchildren have used the Observatory. There's a lot for children to see and do, and they'll have a great time at the observatory. The observatory gardens are open everyday from 07h45 - 18h00; and the observatory dome is open Friday at 21h00. Admission is free. |
|
 Festival de rue de Ramonville - Local Festival or Holiday |
Place Jean-Jaures. This annual festival takes place in September, and is one of the highlights of the year. On every street and every square there are troubadours; musicians; and magicians that come together to entertain.
There are so many activities on offer, you'll have a hard time tring to decide what to do. There are parades; concerts; drink tents; as well as a circus.
Most of the events have free admission. |
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