Toulouse Travel Guide
Travel guide to Toulouse, France with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Toulouse sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.
Toulouse Overview
Located in the south of France midway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, with the Pyrenees not far away, Toulouse is supremely well located. With a population of approximately 400,000 it is also the fourth largest city in France.
The city's development has come on the back of industrial change, with Toulouse recreating itself as a leading light in European Aerospace development, and home of the Airbus. It has also taken major steps forward in the field of biotechnology. This level of expertise will ensure the city is involved in developing the building blocks for Europe's future, and as such retaining its importance.
As a complete contrast Toulouse has a thriving specialist art scene, namely graffiti. However this isn't anything to be frowned upon, instead it is simply employing a different canvas to display real works of art. In a more traditional vein there are a whole host of galleries and museums in Toulouse that really should be on your list of places to visit.
Another name for Toulouse is Ville Rose or Pink City, and it earned this title through the use of distinctive local bricks for a lot of the building work that has a pink hue. Take a stroll down one of the local streets around sunset and see for yourself how the city got its name.
Top Toulouse Attractions
A focal point in Toulouse is the Capitole, built in the 18th century it is the historical home of the cities governors and dominates the area with its architectural grandeur. It is situated in front of the Place du Capitole, a wonderful open square that, when combined with the Capitole building, personifies the style of the period.
Shopping in Toulouse
There is a real mix of styles here, with something to suit everyone. For clothing and homewares visit rue St Rome or rue d'Alsace Lorraine. If chic boutiques are more your style though then make your way to rue Croix-Baragnon or rue des Arts where your more specialised tastes will be well catered for. For a mix of all styles and ranges the place to be is the Centre Commercial St Georges, a shopping mall with everything under one roof.
Toulouse Sporting Events
Rugby is the major sport here, with club side Stade Toulousain representing the city to great effect, winning on both national and international levels. Football is also catered for with the Ligue 1 side Toulouse FC.
