Travel to Toulouse

Known as La Ville Rose (The Pink City), Toulouse is a vibrant destination in the south of France, blending medieval charm with a youthful, modern energy. Just under two hours by direct flight from the UK, it’s a perfect long-weekend getaway or the starting point for a wider exploration of Occitanie.

Colour and character
Toulouse earns its nickname from the pink-hued terracotta bricks that dominate its old town. Stroll through winding lanes that open onto sunlit squares such as the impressive Place du Capitole, home to the city hall and opera house.

The atmosphere is lively, thanks to a large student population, but it never loses its laid-back southern feel.

Sport and culture
Toulouse comes alive in the evenings, with theatres, concert halls, and lively squares offering entertainment long after sunset. Street cafés spill with music and chatter, while the city’s festivals add to its vibrant cultural calendar.

You’d be hard pressed to find an English city where rugby takes precedent over football, but Toulouse rugby do exactly this. Stade Toulousain are in their golden age, and match days at the Stadium de Toulouse bring a carnival atmosphere that spills into bars and restaurants across town.

Heritage and discovery
Highlights for history lovers include the Basilica of Saint-Sernin, one of Europe’s largest Romanesque churches, and the elegant Couvent des Jacobins with its palm-tree-like vaulted ceiling.

Toulouse also has strong ties to aviation: the Cité de l’Espace is a hands-on museum dedicated to space exploration, while Airbus runs tours of its assembly lines — fascinating even for non-engineers.

Food and flavour
Southwest France is famous for hearty cuisine. Try the regional speciality cassoulet, a slow-cooked dish of beans, duck, and sausage. Visit Marché Victor Hugo for artisan cheeses, cured meats, and fresh produce, or sample wines from nearby Gaillac and Fronton. For something unique, seek out violet-flavoured sweets, a nod to Toulouse’s emblematic flower.

Exploring beyond the city
Toulouse’s location makes it ideal for day trips. The fortified town of Carcassonne, with its fairy-tale walls and towers, is just over an hour away by train. Alternatively, you could head into the Pyrenees for hiking and mountain air, or travel south towards the Mediterranean coast.

Why go?
Toulouse blends history, food, culture, and entertainment into a destination that feels both authentic and accessible.

From its pink-brick old town and world-class museums to the buzz of rugby match days and the flavours of southwest French cuisine, it’s clear why La Ville Rose makes such an appealing choice for a short break or the starting point of a wider adventure.

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