Toulouse

Toulouse is often referred to as "the Pink City" due to its distinctive red-pink brick buildings.

Funny when I've checked more on the city, I've discovered its rich legacy as a space and aviation center (including the renowned Airbus company), just like my home town, it basically feels like I'm getting back home.

It reminds me a lot about Paris in the way it is built. Though Toulousains swear there is no similarity at all. I see the radiant sunbeams emanating from its heart, the two sides of the canal, the river, the people, and the simple yet chic ambiance all evoke thoughts of the capital. However, Toulouse is uniquely devoid of the grandiose monumentalism and scale, which actually adds to its cozy appeal.

The city's proximity to Spain imparts a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with a distinctive southern flavor.

Toulouse has the other big advantage – charming houses nestled in the heart of this brick jungle. Entire blocks are adorned with these 2-3 story houses, each with its little garden or inner courtyard. This characteristic makes Toulouse particularly attractive for those seeking a cozier, family-oriented environment rather than a bustling urban city of fashion.

Les Carmes.

Your journey begins in the heart of the city at Les Carmes, a beautiful and authentic area well worth exploring. I've marked the walking area in yellow and highlighted three specific spots with a red cross:

Capitole.

At the core of Toulouse lies Capitole, with its expansive square in front of the Hotel De Ville. This square hosts all major city events and features twelve astrological signs adorning the la croix occitane on the ground. Interestingly, these spots were originally dedicated to the twelve apostles. However, during a redecoration in 1995, the artist and sculptor decided to replace them with zodiac signs, eliminating the religious connotations in front of the governmental building.

Saint-Aubin.

From Capitole, you can continue to Saint-Aubin, passing through the beautiful Jardin Pierre Goudouli.

Saturdays bring a bustling flea market to Saint-Aubin, offering a treasure trove of old antiques and affordable clothing.

On Sundays, the atmosphere here becomes festive, with street musicians and a vibrant food market.

Toulouse is very green and active, even in summer. If you are thinking on what to do with kids in summer in Toulouse, France, almost all parks throughout the city feature playgrounds for children. Some of my favorite parks include Jardins Japonais, Prairie des Filtres, and Jardin des Plants.

Jardins Japonais is the most beautiful park in Toulouse. It boasts a Japanese-style garden with a bamboo grove, rock garden, pond, and a traditional Japanese house. There's even a playground for children. It's a serene place to enjoy the unity with nature and unique plants, either alone or with family.

Rugby.

I cannot but mention the essential part of the city's sport life. Rugby holds a special place in the heart of Toulousains. As France hosts the Rugby World Cup 2023, Toulouse, with its Stade de Toulouse, is one of the key cities for the matches. The atmosphere in the city is amazing, right now it feels very warm and welcoming, drawing together people from around the globe.

Metro.

Toulouse has two metro branches (A and B) with their only intersecting point at Jean Juares station. What sets Toulouse's metro apart is its automated system, eliminating the need for human drivers.

One ticket's price now is 1.80 euro. You can conveniently purchase your ticket from vending machines located before entering the metro station and use the same ticket for the buses and trams within the city (Tisseo). Note, if you choose to buy a ticket directly from the bus driver upon boarding, it will set you back 2 euros. So the best and easiest way is to acquire your ticket when descending into the metro station.

Toulouse is also called city “City of Violets”. You'll find these lovely flowers throughout the city, symbolizing its identity. Violets are used as a seasoning, in various culinary delights, including pastries, liqueurs, jellies, jams, and syrups.

Speaking of culinary delights, Toulouse is famous for its cassoulet.

You can savor this hearty dish at the aptly named Maison du cassoulet.

I would also recommend these two restaurants:

- L'Entrecôte: Ideal for meat lovers and those seeking delectable steaks.

- Mama shelter Toulouse: A unique blend of a hotel and restaurant, perfect for relaxation, enjoying homemade cuisine, and dancing to DJ sets.

For coffee enthusiasts, especially those inclined toward alternative coffee, I recommend exploring Nastya's selection of spots, a Toulousaine of Ukranian origin. You can access an interactive map and detailed descriptions through this link. It would be most convenient to check from Instagram.