Why tell you about the attractions of Toulouse? Because this city certainly has what it takes to charm. What’s more, a cooperation agreement has just been signed for the next three years between Jean-Luc Moudenc, Mayor of Toulouse and President of Toulouse Métropole, and Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal.

The cities of Toulouse and Montreal share common challenges with top-tier industries such as aeronautics and artificial intelligence, but also in the fields of health, tourism and cultural and creative industries.

Thanks to these links, which we are strengthening, we will promote exchanges and synergies between our ecosystems, in the service of our future developments and the urban challenges we must meet.

Jean-Luc Moudenc, Maire de Toulouse, Président de Toulouse Métropole

So here it is, the pink city, the beautiful Toulouse. Located in the southwest of France, it is close to both the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. The best of both worlds.

It is said to be pink because of the colour of many buildings. These bricks vary between shades of pink and orange and give the streets a pastel tone. Inspiring picture, isn’t it?

Toulouse is criss-crossed by canals which allow bucolic boat trips: Canal du Midi, the Brienne canal and the Garonne river side canal. The river rises in the Pyrenees mountains and flows through the city before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean.

More than 160 parks and gardens, as well as the banks of the river and its alleys shaded by plane trees invite us to picnic and relax. Like in a Renoir painting.

You can apparently admire one of the most beautiful views of the city, the Pont-Neuf (which is 300 years old), the Dome of the Chapel of St. Joseph de la Grave and the river Garonne.

The city has over 2,000 years of art and history. It has been awarded the “Ville d’Art et d’histoire” (City of Art and History) designation, a nice recognition of its rich heritage and its conservation efforts.

Hundreds of guided tours help us discover the witnesses of these two millennia. On foot, on a scooter or electric bike, on a segway-gyropod, on a hop-on hop-off bus, by boat, by canoe, through treasure hunts with riddles or with a Toulouse “greeter”, the tourist offer is very generous.

Located on the square of the same name, it represents both the heart and the emblematic building of the Pink City. This is also where you can find the town hall and a theatre.

You enter through the Henri-IV courtyard to access its superb reception rooms, which are free to visit. A must.

The Basilica of Saint-Sernin, whose octagonal bell tower stands out, is one of the largest Romanesque buildings in the West and a major stop on the pilgrimage route to Compostela. As such, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The crypt is free to enter to see its important collection of relics (which places it just behind St. Peter’s in Rome). You can admire the great organs signed by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll and classified as a historical monument (Toulouse still has 3 of these organs almost intact). Linger on the mosaic dedicated to St-Saturnin which inspired the logo and colours of the famous rugby team Stade Toulousain (ST!).

Then adjacent to the basilica, an invitation to take a leap in time at the Musée St-Raymond, Toulouse’s museum of archaeology, which has been given the title of “Musée Joyeux”, or “Happy Museum” (how cute!). It has, in addition to a beautiful crypt, an exceptional collection of Roman sculptures, the second biggest in France after the Louvre. Art, history and culture lovers, you’ll be pleased!

Toulouse also has many museums to complete the cultural visit of the city: classical art, medieval or contemporary works. For example, the Musée des Augustins (the Fine Arts Museum) is housed in a former Augustinian monastery with Gothic architecture (currently closed for renovation – partial reopening this fall). The Romanesque capitals, the gargoyles, the medicinal plants in the vegetable garden will seduce you.

The Musée Les Abattoirs (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) is housed in a former slaughterhouse. A precious photographic gallery is located in the water tower (one of the oldest in France).

However, if you prefer off-the-beaten-track tours, there is also a range of options. I have found one that I think is quite charming and which is called“Petit tour dans les cour” (Short tour in the courtyards), because the historic center is made up of hundreds of consumers mansions.

A more or less hidden courtyard, an unexpected courtyard, a courtyard that is no longer, cloistered courtyards, a water course, a courtyard full stop. By now, you probably understand that you are following a route in the city on the theme of the court!

Although Toulouse has a long history that has enabled it to put down roots, it has also been able to spread its wings towards the future by becoming the European Capital of Space.

The Cité de l’espace (Space City) megaplex is located 7 kilometres southwest of downtown (easily accessible by bus). It is unique in terms of disseminating space and astronomical culture to the general public. Just imagine:

• immersive and interactive exhibitions including rare Moon and Mars stones, life-size spaceships, and robot arenas (new in 2021);
• sky observations through a telescope at the Astronomer’s Dome to admire the celestial beauties;
• science gardens;
• thematic meetings in the form of summer nights in July and August, cultural events around the Night of the Stars, Researchers’ Night, the Alpha Mission or even Martian robots…);
• conferences;
• two planetariums;
• an IMAX theatre.

For a few months now, the “Cité des petits” inside the megaplex has been open to children aged 4-8 years. It captures their interest with adapted animations and activities on themes of great interest to this age group: rockets and astronauts.

Finally, about twenty minutes north-west of the city centre, the Aeroscopia Museum has everything to satisfy the simply curious to the inveterate avgeek with an enriched offer for families.

• There are five “discovery islands” such as the “aeronautical professions” (who wants to learn how to assemble an aircraft?) or the one on the projection towards the future.
• A set of aircraft models, some at man’s height.
• A collection of photographs and a historical fresco
• Flight simulators. Really?
• Nearly thirty aircraft with legendary planes. Who doesn’t want to climb aboard legendary planes like the Concorde and more recently the A380?

Finally, the summer will live to the rhythm of festivals, from Rio Logo with its special “Africa Season” program from June 13 to 20, with presentations by Les Instantanés that will liven up the parks and gardens in July and August in the evening, with dance, music and theatre in intimate sessions.

A new one this year to discover: L’Essentiel Festival which will take place from the 8th to the 10th of July at the MEETT, Toulouse’s exhibition centre, with a musical programme.

The Tourism Pass, which can be valid from 24 to 72 hours and is available at discounted prices, is ideal for taking advantage of the city’s tourist offer this summer (1st of July to 19th of September 2021).

The city can be discovered mainly on foot. The pass also includes public transport (metro, tram, bus) which efficiently serves the major points of the city.

Take advantage of it during your visit!